The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-02
THE TAXES MUST BE PAID.
1T is SAID THEY AMOUNT TO
ABOUT $15O,0OO.

Decision Under the Glenn Bill VIII
Bring Back Taxes on the Centrars
Nafnstem Into the Treasures of
Nine Georgia Counties-The Suit
Was Brought Against the ReceiN-
ers of the Central Railroad and
Banking Co. by the Controller
General in IS91-COvers the AIain-
stem and ApDurtenances of the
Central Between Savannah end
Macon.
The recent decision of the United States
supreme court with regard to the taxation
of the Central railroad, means that there
will have to be paid about $4,000 back
taxes in the towns and counties through
which it runs between Savannah and Ma
con.
An account of the supreme courts decis-
ion was given in the Morning News yester-
day in a telegram from Washington, D.
c. where il was rendered. The history OF
the litigation is quite long one. Inc
matter came UP after the passage of the
Glenn bill about six years ago, which re-
CURED the payment Of taxes by railroads
ties through which they run.
The receivers Of the Central Railroad
and Banking Company contested the right
of the cities. towns and counties to tax the
mainstem of the Central between
Savannah and Macon on the
ground that it was exempted form
such taxation by its charter rights.
Controller General William A Wright took
the opposite view of the case, and the mat
ter was carried before Judge Emory Speer
in the United States circuit court for the
Eastern district of Georgia. 1t was ar
gued before him in Macon, the attorney
general and other attorneys representing
the state and Messrs LaWton ana cum
ningham representing the receivers OIL the
Central Judge Speer decided against the
receivers of the Central, and held 1t liable
for the taxes as stated for the year 1881,
the suit being based on the payment OF
the taxes for that year.
The receivers of the Central railroad car
ried the case up to the United states
supreme court, where 1t was argued IN
their behalf by Mr.. A r. Lawton. The
argument was made nearly two years ago,
and the decision in the case has just been
reached Under the decision the receiv-
ers of the Central Railroad and Banking
Company will be required to pay taxes to
the towns, cities and counties along the
main stem between Savannah and Ma
con for the years 1891 to 1895. which VIII
amount to something like the amount
stated. 1t cannot be told definitely just
what the amount of all these taxes viii
be- as it has not been figured up, but it
is a tax to be levied as stated on the rail-
road and appurtenances between Savan-
nah and Macon.
Since the railroad property passed out
of the hands of the receivers the taxes
under the Glenn bill are, of course, be-
ing paid right along in the towns, cities
and counties through which it runs, as
this is required under its new charter.
The supreme courts decision, 1t appears,
upholds the constitutionality of the Glenn
bill, and it will apply to all railroads, ex-
cept such as have special charter exemp-
lions. 1t was thought that the main stem
of the Central between Savannah and
Macon, had such exemptions, but those
interested do not think so any more, es-
pecially since the decision of the United
States supreme court.
There are two roads, however, connect
ed with the Central railroad system which
do have these exemptions. They are the
Augusta and Savannah and the South
western railroad. They are still operating
under their old charters and are exempt
from all such taxation The only taxa
On the Augusta and Savannah 1t is one
half of l per cent. on its gross income,
and on the Southwestern it is one-half of
one per cent. on its net income.
There was a similar litigation with re-
gard to the Augusta and Savannah, 1t be-
ing claimed by the controller general that
it came under the provisions of the Glenn
bill, but the attorneys for the Central
won this case. With regard to the South
western railroad a similar question arose,
but it was settled without litigation, as
the attorney general agreed with the rep
resentatives of the Central, it's lessee,
that 1t was exempt.
The tax which will now have to be paid
to Controller Wright, with per cent in
terest, is. as near as can be calculated
at this time $15l572.24. This calculation
is of course, based on the tax returns
for this year, and inasmuch as the COM
pany owes taxes for about six years.
the amount they owe is six times the
amount due this year.
The amount of tax due each this year is
as follows:
Chatham county, value 1896, 1856; tax at 6lk
mills, 81, S33.15.
bingham county, value $500, 2s7.92; tan
at S.44 mills s1.751.95
Screyen county, value 1898 967. %; tax al
S.A mills, $S,S67.2S.
Burke county. value 1882, 1920; tax at a
mills. s., S50.S0
JEFFERSON county, value $253, 256,17
Washington county. value $53l, 73S. 25; tax
at 5.44 mills 81, S92.65.
Wilkinson county, value $414, 80. so: tax at
6.44 mills, $2,668.22.
Jones county. value l5OssO12; tax at $50
mills, s6O7.67.
Bibb county. value. 1872, COS. so; tax at s.44
mills, S3,1S972.
The tax rate for the county of Jefferson
has not been sent in yet, but the rate LAST
year was mills and the tax this year call
culated on that basis amounts to 81 2ee d
and this added to S19.6l1A the total
amount from the other eight counties
makes the total amount OF
taxes alone due the controlier
general for one year SO, ST7.72. This multi
piled by the six years make the amount OF
tax due from 1890 to date. SIPS .
266.2. The interest on This
at per cent. is 81 305.92, making the
amount due the controller general by the
Central Railroad and Banking COMPANY Of
Georgia. or its receivers. interest and an
$l51,572.24
Controller General Wright will begin the
collection of this money as rapidly as nos
si5le.
DEATH OF MRS VA T. HAuDuv