The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-02-28
SELECTIONS PROM FRANK COLE.
Sock 1t 10 uhe Corporations, whether
They Can Paw or Not

SELECTIONS PROM FRANK COLE.
Sock 1t 70 uhe Corporations, whether
They Can Pay or MOT.
At Arcanum Hall last night, Good Gov
ernment Association No. l held an open
meeting for the purpose of discussing
Equal taxation Mr.. Frank o. Cole
was the speaker of the evening.
AS Chairman of the Committee on Three
Cent Fares, Mr.. Cole made a report, in
which he said the committee had made
diligent examination of such statutes and
ordinances as they could learn had any
bearing on the subject. They arrived at
these wise conclusions
That it seems entirely the fault Of the
authorities that the prosperity of the Jer-
sey City and Bergen Railroad Company,
now leased to the Consolidated Traction
Company. is not taxed as other property
in Jersey City.
That the rate of fare on the cars IS
not regulated by the Common Council or
Board of Aldermen
That there is not special tax Of ten
dollars imposed and collected on every
car run over the Company's tracks in
Jersey City.
That the manner of running the cars
- itol 4 CO uidle Uy Tile CITY.
The opinion of the Corporation Coun-
ell as to the legality of the ten dollar
special tax was published in The Jersey
City News on January 81 Mr.. Blair quotes
statute of 1882, which has been decided
unconstitutional and concludes MS
opinion in this language, I therefore ad-
wise you that there are not means of
collecting this license fee under any ordin-
ance now in force
you will notice the lawyer does not say
that tax cannot be collected. but that
It cannot be collected under any ordinance
carefully read various pamphlets and ex-
cerpts from newspapers relating to the
same subject in Detroit. They wish to
thank Mayor Pingee for his courtesy, and
can only express sincere regret that Jer-
sey City d1d not possess Pingree. Your
committee is aware that other and sub
which may, protect the railroad in its
srasping iselfishness: but they would sub
NIT nj that the question Of contracts which
& sod are anny quo1ng 10 tne
for the benefit of the people. Certainly,
the ordinance of December, 1859, was in
tended to protect the people, and as a
question of justice should be considered
a a-contract.
Your. committee find that the Jersey
City. and Bergen Railroad was incorporat-
ed by act OF the Legislature approved
March. 1852 authorizing Durley. S. Greg
ory, Jacob M Merseies, Matthew Arm
strong. John NJ Cornelson and such others
they may associate with them hereafter,
to form a company with a capital stock Of
$3.50 600, to construct railroad from some
point on the Kill Won Kull !, at or near
also branches to the several ferries in the
county south of the City of Hobolzen In
conducting this railroad through any street
or avenue of Jersey City, it was provided
should be obtained No power save
horse power was to be used except at
high grades where the company might
erect stationary engines. Power to con-
denim land and material; power to buy
and hold real estate at the terminals not
to exceed one acre a each place and to
erect all necessary buildings was given
The act for twenty-years places the tax
at one and one-half per cent. By a sup
plement approved March, 1860, the company
was obliged to pay to Jersey City all
same as all otner property, deducting the
one and a half per cent. paid to the State.
The repairing and constructing were
made subject to such conditions as the
Common Council might impose.
Your committee would conclude that
it appears entirely clear that the prop
city and Bergen Railroad, situated in Jer-
sey City, is by law subject to tax as is all
other property. The authorities should
pany began paying to the State to date.
Concerning the. rate of fare and license
sary. although we are advised that it is
unnecessary.
I'm regard to the three cent fare: Can
the company carry passengers at this
be no hardship to compel the company, If
it can be done. to reduce the fare and let
dividends take care of themselves" {"
Mr.. Cole also delivered discourse OH
equal Taxation" in which he said
Il will not tire you with a recapitulation
of the. value Of railroad property now
saying that it is in my opinion largely nm
dervalued. In the fall of 1883 Mr. r. Gator
was the candidate of the Republican par
ty for State Senator from this county.
was detected. | am aware that Mr..
Brinkerhoff. his opponent, did all that
any man could Dc for the cause while he
was Senator. and an prepared to admit
that there are many other men in Hud-
son Just as able and as desirous of
bringing about equal taxation as was Mr..
elected we would have secured equal tax
alton. 1t has been suggested that the
two political parties unite next fall on an
Assembly ticket looking only to this one
question. If such condition could be
procured.I have no doubt of our entire sue
cess. / firmly believe that one other
reason of our successive failures is the
fact that our public officials do not lend
the assistance to the cause / think it
deserves. Another reason is that the
subject of taxation is not fairly and iDl-
partlallY cohSldered ANY person VINO
seeks justice must be prepared to ac-
cord it. Let US organize during the sum-
mer remembering it is a fight that can
only end in success"
communication was received from Mr.
G. w. Gillette, Chairman of the Con-
gressional ub-Committee on the POST
office bill, promising to give a hearing at
any time on the bill and promising to do
all in his power to favor his Association.
He said lack of finances prevented new
postofFice buildings from being favorably
considered Tn regard to two-cent fer
riage, the Association referred the subject
to the Board of Freeholders. who. it was
stated, had free power in the matter.
A SWINDLING PRIEST.