Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1898-03-31
QUOTES HARRISON.
Pingree's Message to Special
Session of the Michigan
Legislature.
Called for Purpose of Equal
izlng Taxation. Figures
For Consideration.
The Governor Shows That
Railroads Are Evading
Their Taxes.

.
Railroads Are Evading
Their Taxes.
LANSING, MICH, March 25.-Whatever
may be the result of the special session
OF the Michigan legislature there is seen
strong hand at the helm in the person
of Gov. PlnRree. In his message he
cuts the corners off and goes directly to
theepurpose for which he calls the legis.
lature together-to equalize state taxa
tion.
He says that certain corporations are
escaping the payment of their just share
Of the money which the laws require to
be raised for purposes of government.
The average rate Of tax IN Michigan
for state, county and municipal purposes
ls .028. The assessed valuation as equal
lzed by the board Of supervisors was, in
1895, and is not materially changed,
S8l8,086,l6O. The governor says the
total cost Of railway property as veri-
fed by the companies was, for the same
year, 1901 ,0O3, ,148, and if the companies
had been assessed on this sworn valua-
ton for the same year at the above
average rate their taxes would have
amounted to sS,42S,O8S. Is. The taxes
paid we're S74l,4O8.77, or less than one
quarter of per cent. of their own valua-
tions and less than one-eieventh Of the
per ceutage paid by other tax. payers of
the state. The governor continues:
I'VE are confronted with this situation:
The ordinary taxpayers OF the state are
bearing an annual burden OF per cent.
upon the value of their property. The
railroad companies are paying less
than one-quarter Of l per cent. upon
their properties and less than one
eleventh OF the proportion borne by
others.
Zone set of taxpayers are bearing an
excessive share of the Of the public bur-
dens. Another set OF taxpayers are
almost exempt from any share.
IN speech delivered at Chicago,
Feb %. last, ex-Pfesident Harrison
used this strong languages:
"'Where is the moral distinction be-
tween the act Of putting ore's hand IN
his neighbours pocket and clandestinely
absLracting hls pocketbook and the
fraudulent shifting Of debt J. owe to
another? Mr.. Lincoln's declaration that
this country could not continue to exist
half-slsve and half free may be para
phrased today by saying that this oouD.
try cannot continue to exist half taxed
and half free.'
''These words of the distinguished ex-
president should sink deep into the
hearts Of those who are intrusted with
the taxing power. They contain
statement aud . warning which it will
not do to ignore. They place the de.
frauded taxpayer who 10 robbed Of bic
money on the came level 40 the defrsuded
slave who was robbed OF bis liberty.
There is, in fact, no distinction. The
stakeholder absorbed the earnogs OF the
slave by making him work without COM
peusstior. Those who evade the pay.
ment OF taxes do the same thing when
they compel their neighbors to pay an
unjust proportion OF their esrpinRs into
the treasury. The crime ls the same."
The governor calls attention to the
great ENDORSEMENTS which the rsilrosds
have received in the shape Of land grants
from national and state sources. Why
should the roads seek to evade the tax
alton on the property given them, he
asks. Immense sums have been realized
from the sale OF the lands. The govern
ment makes an especial effort to avoid
Reputation Of any contract and the peo-
pie are taught the dangers Of any species
OF repudistlon. Why should corpora
lions be favored?
The argument advanced that it rates
OF taxation are raised, the roads will
raise transportation rates also is con-
sidered. Pingres ssys:
'TAis kind Of sn argument may be
made by any one who wsnts special
privilege for himself. The proprietor Of
hotel may insist on low tsxes on the
ground that he can stford to charge his
guests lower price for entertainment.
The man who hos corner On wheat may
make the came claim On the ground that
he can afford to cell bis wheat cheaper
to his customers. The monopolists in
oil will insist that by being relieved OF
taxes they can allow the people to have
cheaper light. The baker may
argue that If not taxed he can sell
cheaper bread. The farmer may insist
that il not taxed he can afford to sell bis
products at . lower price. Experience,
however, proves that when people are
relieved from taxes they do not charge
any less for what they have to dispose Of.
Tho railroads in this state which are
paying no taxes charge their ordinary
psesengers 4 cents mile. The M,cbi-
gan Central. which is apparently much
more prosperous read than the Grand
Trunk, charges ,ts ordinary passengers 8
cents, while the Grand Trunk carries
them for 2. The monopolist in wheat
and the monopolist in oil get The highest
price they oan for what they sell. TIE