The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-27

pIeasantries i9tulsed In personally and oyer
the Telephone Until the executive ONCE
closed Tor the day. In conversation with
the journal the Governor said.
The decision il one OF fnestimabie I'M
p0rtance 20 The State I am not surprised.
but Intensely .gratified. for 1 have felt
all along commence In the result. and es-
specially 50 since the argument in the case
before the Supreme Court Besides the
settling OF annoying litigation. i means the
addition OF millions OF dollars 20 the taxa
ble values OF the State a large increase -
its revenues and a yearly reduction In The
State debt without any increase IN the
present levy. The assessment as made by
the State Board OF Tax Commissioners
was honestly and. as we believe. justly
been warm. yet the hoard has had none
but the kindliest feeling towards the rail-
roads taking issue with them. The law.
the taxpayers OF the state cannot help
but feel eiated over the result
STATE OFFICIALS JUBILANT.
The attorneys who helped Green Smith
fight the big case were on hand soon after
the news reached the building. After pay
ing their respects to the Governor they
sought the Attorney-generars Office. whers
that official was quietly enjoying the con
temptation OF the triumph They were All
loud in his praises. asserting that the battle
was fought throughout on lines laid down
by him He hadn't a great deal 20 say, ex-
cept that the decision OF the Supreme Court
marked the end OF the biggest tax litiga-
ton ever known 10 the world. IL naturally
afforded him much qualification. and as his
siderable handshaking INDUCED in. Every
body was in high spirits over the news.
why. there are twenty-five States" said
the Attorney-general in response 10 some
comment TO the effect Of the decision.
'in which tax bills are pending modelled
more or less after Indiana's law. Thess
States have all been awaiting the outcome
OF this litigation The fact that this same
system Of legislation is contemplated 20
caused railroad companies and corporation
result anxiousiy. they have followed
the tim sa1 the SP w S T psssea rom IN
1891. When the cases were originally ar
gued in the Circuit Court here there were
several meetings Of the leading railroad
lawyers OF the United States. many ae
twenty-five being here on two occasions.
The effect OF this decision OF the United
in addition TO affecting legislation else
where. IL involves cases. on similar lines,
against many corporations. There are fif-
ntisating, and the amount OF taxes due
from them ~ all: including the railroads. viii
The Big Four, Panhandle and Indianap-
oils & Vincennes railroads are the three
that inquired in the litigation just term
mated. which. Of course. Is regarded as
settling the matter. IL was a test case
and the result win doubtless be accepted
as final. Over 100000. or about one-fourth
Of the amount Of taxes due from the rail
road companies. directly involved In
this case. as the Big Four and Panhandle
companies own a large portion OF the
railway property in the State. The In
dianapolis & Vincennes is one OF the
Pennsylvania Company's leased lines.
Since 1891 the Pittsburg. Fort Wayne &
Chicago and the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern railroad companies have had in
junction suits pending in the federal
court restraining the collection Of taxes
under the new law and awaiting the re-
suit of a test case such as the one fust
decided. In a conversation concerning the
fees and costs OF the case the Attorney
general remarked yesterday that the rail-
money for his services in this litigation
than the State OF Indiana ever paid q
lawyer for work done for IT,