The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-02-17
EQUAL TAXATION.
Mass Meeting in the Alder
manic Chamber En-
dorses Mr. Queens
Measure.
M'DERMoTT AND M'EWAN SPEAK
Leading Men Of All Parties
Unite in Demanding Relief
From Present Evils.
RAILROADS GREAT EXEMPTIONS.
What the Taxpayers Would Save
in All Parts of the State
if the Companies
Paid Their Way.
RAILROADS. GREAT EXEMPTIONS

Two hundred property owners respond
ed to the call for public mass meeting
to discuss equal taxation and endorse
Assembiyman Queens remedial bill in
the Aadermanic chamber, City Hall,
Saturday night. The meeting was held
under the auspices of the Good Govern
ment League and the Board of Trade
Shortly after eight o'clock Mr. Myron
Furst raped for order. Clearly and
concisely he stated the objects of the
meeting and announced that Allan l..
McDermott and Thomas McEwan would
discuss the subject The announcement
was received with cheers. Organization
was effected by the unanimous selection
of Joseph A. Dear as chairman. Mr.
Dear made a few pertinent remarks and
then called upon Mr.. McDermott He
had not arrived and Mr.. McEwan was
invited to address the meeting. He
said:-
1T is refreshing to be called upon to
address a non-partisan gathering. l feel
that We have a grievance from which
Democrats and Republicans suffer
like to think that we are stockholders
in large corporation and are working
in harmony to see how we can get the
best returns from utfr savings acquired
by toll and which we have put in the
corporation called Jersey City We go
a step further into our corporation and
we ind some members enjoy exemption
from taxation which we do not. You
will be startled to know that the class
of property the city spends as much to
protect and safeguard as others. is the
one that escapes taxation. We know as
sad fact that we have to pay $2.75 -on
every 100 of ratables while the great
railroad corporations escape with pay
ment of 81 on the same valuation. / defy
any manic tell me how this can be justi-
fable. For three or four years / have
fought against unequal taxation and
have yet to find a man who speaks in
favor of this unequal tax.
This should be made fight for
liberty. Our forefathers gave their lives
for it and would we have it appear that
that spirit has now retrograded. 1t be-
hooves every man to awaken to this
condition of affairs, and we should fight
as a man for equal taxation. I do not
like to dwell on the sordid side of this
question. 1t is not a question of dollars
and cents. If corporation took foot
of an individuals ground there would be
a right infringed and we would rise to
his aid. We would see his rights main
tanned. There are two kinds of prop
erty, real and personal, but somehow by
influence of a strong character third
has been imported into this State 1t is
railroad property. If all the railroad
property in this city were equally taxed
with ours our taxes would be reduced
one-half We now bear three-fourths
of the burden, while the rich corporations
carry one-fourth.
I'm New York the assessment on a
fixed valuation is IS and on the same
valuation we pay s18. Give us equal tax
alton and our city will go bounding
along, and located as it is, it will soon
be the centre of warehouses and manu-
factories, and with all we will have the
Hill for residential purposes ard our city
will be the most beautiful, progressive
and best in which to live (Cheers.) The
crying shame of Jersey City is it's lack
of public spirit l have Travelled great
deal but have never seen a city with
so little public spirit ann none needed it
more We must work together cast an
anchor to windward to see to it that our
taxes go down and those of the railroads
go up. The all important question is
equal taxation and it is our duty to find
a proper solution SO that we will not
pay $2.75 taxes while a combination of
men, who are enjoying the same rights
as we are, pay less. No man is worthy
of being an American citizen, father,
or to have family who win not resent
the downright, .unjustifiable and coward
ly imposition"
There's the next, Mayor" shouted an
enthusiast, pointing to the speaker.
Mr.. McEwan continued: mo Senator
or Assemblyman from this county within
the past five years has voted against
equal taxation, nor do l believe any ever
|, WILL What we want now is method to
force other Senators and Assembiymen
to Trenton feeling a keen sense of duly
and right, but by various influences they
are switched off. They are reached one
way or another.
1--WE should appeal to the Governor
There lies the power ol success. We
should appeal to him to use the power
to bring about an equality Of taxation
Amid considerable cheering and clap
ping. of hands, Mr.. McDermott, who ar
rived while the Congressman was speak
ing. was introduced
So far as the remedial suggestions of
the Congressman are concerned. Mr.. Nc
them. think the power of bringing about
equal taxation for the relief of Jersey
City is in the Executive chamber of the
with the people Of Jersey CITY in this
movement for one will loudly cheer
fully retract assertions I nave made that
he VIII not. His omission of the subject
in his message was perhaps due to the
fact that he did net have the time to give
It the scrutiny necessary No man is bet
lter qualified to know the position of rail-
roads toward cities than the present Gov
ernor. and If he will assist in aiding us
to secure equal taxation, or II not equal,
tRar .-5@s