The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-21
THE new REVENUE MEASURE
1t Would Produce 100000 Less
Funds Annually for State.
THE ESTIMATES SUBMITTED
Religious Garb Bill Under Consideration
II Is Certain to BE Approved by the
Governor - Superior Court
Bill Amendments.

the conference last Thursday night at
the executive mansion between Cover
nor Hastings, his cabinet and Chair
men Fruit and Marshall, of the senate
and house appropriations committee,
and find that their figures were sub
stantially correct 1t is believed that
this estimate is rather high and that
the revenues will not reach Slg ,00O,O 900.
The capital stock tax for the next
two years is put down at $3,275, 600
This amount Is greater than the reve-
nue. from this source the past two years
The capital stock of corporations has
deprecated considerably on account of
the hard times and it is thought the
revenues from this source will not ex-
ceed three millions. The revenues the
past two years We're materially in
creased by the tax arbitrarily assessed
by Auditor General Gregg against
corporations, out of which grew the fa-
nous riser cases"
Before the decision of the supreme
court upsetting this scheme many cor
porations paid the increased tax under
protest. Under this decision the tax OF
these corporations will hereafter be
much less than under the auditor gem
erals ruling. The estimate for the next
two years does not include the bonuses
and delinquent taxes of all kinds of
record in the auditor generals depart
ment They aggregate about $3.50, 600
but 1t is uncertain whether they can be
collected
The advocates of the new revenue
bill formulated by the state tax confer
ence are using the falling off in the
state receipts as an argument in favor
of the measure. They claim it will not
decrease the revenues and at the same
time time distribute more equitably the
burdens of state taxation. Ex-State
Treasurer Boyer, the framer of the pres
ent tax laws, disputes these claims
He says if the bill will work more salts
factorily than the present system he
will cheerfully give it his support.
But it is on a new basis entirely"
said Mr.. Boyer, :" and would have to re-
ceive the sanction of the supreme
court. 1t taxes the funded debt of cor
porations held by non-residents. This
Is an entirely new feature and will no
doubt be contested so that some years
might elapse before q final decison
Assuming that the principles of the bin
are constitutional, it would decrease
the taxes of some corporations and in
crease others. 1t would produce, ac
cording TO the statements of it's friends.
S2OO,OOO less revenue annually. If the
features of taxing manufacturing cor
porations and building and loan asso-
Citations are eliminated it would fall
short, perhaps, a half million dollars.
'Of course, all these figures are hypo-
thetical. 1t would be hard to tell what
the bill would actually produce until
tried. To sum the whole thing up, if
the bill is all that its friends contend
for it, it would surely not be safe to
pass it without an increase of millage
| should say five mills instead of four,
for the one corporate tax it levies will
have to take the place of the three now
| levied-capital stock, corporate loans
| and gross receipts"
Religious Garb Bill.
The Smith religious garb bill Is still
under consideration by the senate edu-
cation committee. 1t will be amended
so as to impose the penalty for viola
ton upon boards of school directors and
controllers appointing teachers who
wear any religious garb or insignia in
the schools. Senator Finn and Chris.
l.. Magee are urging this change, and
| there seems to be no doubt of it being
done. Senators McCarrell and Goblin
have charge of the measure. Senators
| Grouse and Becker, of PHILADELPHIA,
members of the committee, believe the
bill ought to be reported in the form ii
passed the house.
Representative Smith, of Phila del
phia, the framer of the BILL is satisfied
with the proposed change and will
make no effort to prevent it. The leg
islative committee of the Junior Order
of American Mechanics will take the
matter into consideration at n meeting
to be held this week. The committee
has made a careful canvass of the SEN
ate and declares the bill will go through
and receive the governors signature.
Amendments To Court Bill.
The bill establishing superior court
for the relief of the supreme court
passed second reading In the house to-
day after much discussion. Mr.. Kun
kel, of Dauphin, who has the measure
In charge, had 1t amended so that with
ioi '"e hNe Judges,
Mn'c" 1t provinces Tor, each elector shall
ro'e ior put iour' rms VIII give the
De''iocracy representative In the
cou''' MI - Malley, OF Lackawanna,
ioiioweo win an amendment to include
scranton ana Wlliiamsport in addition
10 rh''adelphia' Pittsburg and Harris
ourg' as the places to which the court
Is TO SIT once year Mr.. Collins, of