The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-03-15
FOR EQUAL TAX.
Pastor Scudder Scores the
Legislature for Its Fall
uTe to Pass the Bill.
In THE TABERNACLE
Urges Citizens to Fight Against
the Expanding System Of
Railroad Depreciation.

The Rev. John L. Scudder preached a
vigorous sermon in the Tabernacle last
night on the injustice of taxation as it
exists at present between individuals
corporations, particularly railroads
Among other things he said
Unjust taxation is a subtle form of
theft. 1t enables those who are especially
favored to saddle a portion of their finan-
who are supposed, like Baalam's ass. to
submit to any amount of harsh treatment
and never talk back. But the people are
tired of carrying oppressive burdens
which railroad corporations have strapped
upon their backs. They will endure the
imposition no longer and propose to
make equal taxation the chief issue in
every campaign, until justice Is estab-
lished.
For decades the property owners of
Jersey City have been defrauded by UNI
just discrimination in favor of railroads
which have manipulated our Legislatures
and avoided paying their proper share of
the taxes. Every acre acquired by the
railroads within city limits has been an
injury to our municipality, for when it
RcooSo III Lie 11clAANo vi q GILL Oc~St W.
poration, it is protected by the present
ubiquitous law, and is not subject to the
same rate of taxation as private prop
erty. The railroads AVE bought UP
acre after acre until they now own near
ly one-third of the city, and the most
valuable part of it concurrently with this
increasing ownership, the remaining
holders have been progressively plumber
ed until at present they pay a al Of $2.T4
per 500. Today every man who owns. a
house and lot is practically robbed by
this excessive rate, and every poor wom-
an who rents a room in a rear tenement
is indirectly bearing a part of this vicious
burden which these railroads have
thrown upon a long-suffering people.
In vain have taxpayers complained
and protested. Every attempt to secure
justice has been defeated by these power
full corporations with their legal giadia-
tors and persuasive lobbyists. So far
the people have been no match for these
colossal tyrants, but their time is coming
fast.
To-day the rank and file are aroused
as before. They realize that the
railroads are an appalling menace to our
beloved city. These corporations are not
only turning the lower portion of the city
into a vast and repulsive network of
tracks; they are throwing the expense of
local government upon the property yet
remaining in private hands n which Is
growing smaller and smaller every year.
If this process of absorbing real estate
and evading just taxation continues, it
takes but half an eye to see that ulti-
mately our city will be ruined. Local
patriotism as well as self interest compel
our citizens to light as never before this
expanding system of depreciation. And
like courageous little Cuba, they will
battle till they win.
After all the confusing talk of corpor-
alton lawyers. clear headed people see
no reason why railroads should not pay
as heavy a tax aus individuals, and they
do not propose to have one of the fairest
cities IN the Union eaten Up by rapacious
Legislature to pass Equal Tax Bill No.
Y has greatly angered the people of
Hudson county, M unless some sub
~stantial relief comes to the taxpayers
party now in power that in future cleo
tons they will meet with obstinate and
widespread opposition in this portion Of
New Jersey. 1t Is not yet too late to
read the handwriting on the wall. I
stultify itself and the party it represents.
Those in control have led the people to
believe that relief would come during the
present session. If they fail to keep
their promise they alone will be RESPONSE
their folly. This is a contest between
Justice and injustice. and if one party is
too weak-kneed to fight the party's bat
ties, another one more courageous will
makers will redeem themselves upon this
question of equal taxation and demon
Strate that such men as Queen, Klink.
Wanser and Edwards have not worked in
vain. In days to come the most popular
P POI naon,s win dld be sa the ma who stands by
sion. In the end it pays to do right, for
in the end the right will certainly pre-