Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1897-09-24

says that "the comments that have been
made upon the compromise of the North
ern Pacific land taxes by Editor Strester
and others are unfair" Now, we are not
aware that editor Streeter and others"
have compromised any Northern Pacific
land taxes. But as the Tribune scribe
probably intended to say that some Of
the comments that have been made by
Editor Streeter and others upon the com.
promise of the Northern Pacific land
taxes are unfair" we hasten, in the first
issue after our return to Gods country.
to make an effort toward showing that
such comments were perfectly fair and
wholly warranted by the facts.
~
The first matter referred to by the
Tribune is the quality Of the land remain.
ing unsold by the railroad company. and
the inference is made that nothing but
poor land is now in the company's hands.
This is not the fact-at least, as far as
Emmons county is concerned. A large
proportion Of the land in this county has
never been sold by the company. because
it was held too high. but much of the
best that vas sold and part payment
made is again the property OF the COM
pany because of failure Of the purchasers
to make subsequent payments. The
claim Of the Tribune that the N. r. COM
pany should have q lower rate of valua-
ton because Of their lands being below
the average as to quality does not apply
in the free and independent borough of
Emmons.
~ .-..
The Tribune asserts that the company
should be let of lightly because Of the
stock-growers and. farmers who Craze
their stock on tho company lands ard
obtain the benefit Of the free grass. +"
ls the Tribune editor not aware of the
fact that the N. P. now leases its lands
annually to the highest bidder both fol
meadow and grazing purposes3 In 1896
| and 81 several hundred dollars were paic
l each year by Emmons county settlers Il
the company for the leases of hay anc
grazing lands upon which the company
refuses to pay taxes. How it may bt
in Burl+igh we do not know; but we dt
know that in number of other countiel
the same plan 10 pursued az in Emmons
Thus, the e-grazing plea Of the Tribun,
falls to the ground.
~. *-
AgsiD, the article quoted says that tn,
company lands '.are no special source O
revenue to the road.' True. Blu
what Of thut7 Is it not fact that man,
of the settlers have found that, will
wheat selling at S0@4o gents per bushel
their lands have been no special source o
revenue to thcm3 Can the Tribune edito
name an individual. taxpayer in the stat
who has had his taxes set aside or reduce,
because he has not made money out o
j. his landsi H.
The Tribune makes fearful plea 70
Mr.. Fernald, the head-center Of the Tax
Dodger Department, claiming that it
''his duty to look after the interests c
: the road in this direction" But is it hi
duty to roam up and down the road du
ing political campaign, seeking I
defeat district judges and state 9 attorney
, whom the company cannot control? TIL
editor of the Tribune knows that NJ
Fernald did this thing last year. and th
editor Of the Tribune knows that tn
editor of tho Record can prove that b
Ibid it. r,. -.
. ~ -
!" The writer does rot believe the con
missioners of Burleigh county wer
actuated by impure motives in settlin
the tax matter with the N. P. They wei
scared into 80. doing. They knew til,
neither of the newspapers Of their par,
/. in the city would lift q hand in their d.
Tense if they made fight against IL
giant corporation. But it would seel
: that they acled with undue haste. The
might at least have counselcd with th
authOritieR of the trihniarv rnnn,i.e u.