The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-24
WILL TT GO TO THE
COURTS.

The war eax matter relating to sbe
stamp on express bills Of ladiog. has
beep settled for this State. so far as the
railroad commissioners are concerned.
They have ruled that the express eom.
panies must pay this tax aud not the
shippers, and this Will stand unless Che
Question is taken 20 the eearss and she
eoumission should be overruled.
The express people all over the coun.
ssy are kicking about this ssx matter
wherever the rulings or decisions have
Seeu averse to them, sad there is
little doubt bat that the whole ques-
ssoa will finally wiud up in the highest
osurt of sdjudication.
Judge Tuley. Of Chieago. judge Of
che Ssass circuit Of Illinois, in case
aeoaehs BY Manufacturers association,
decided last week shstthe express com.
uass aseeps packages for shipmeas>*ith
she recsips duly stamped BY themselves
aud without adding the cost Of the
ssaup TO the regular express rate. fbe
express companies will, of course, ap-
oesl 70 the higher courts for. it this
decis;on should stand ADD could be
enforced. the companies claim they
woenld have to bsar the whole tax,
which will amount to about 5 3.0O0,-
coo yeas-
gbev don't like this idea and are
uakieg vigorous kick against the
raliug Of the Chicago judge, who is ao'
ooupted very able juriss.
But what ASTON the Southern Ex-
press company will take in regard to
the recen. ruling of the South Carolina
railroad commissioners, Is rot known
vet as the commission has granted the
company until the 25sh instaus. before
aussiug .heir decision into etfec's
Sups. Sadler, when he appeared be.
fore the commission last week, coald
aos speak aathoritasively at that time,
Out his opinion was that bis company
would acsuiesce in the ruling aud
would make 90 6ght. Bat unsil the
e5sh comes. il caanot be told whether
eaa express company will accept the
DECISION of the South Carolina rail.
road commission or appeal to the
courts for raliog. on the question.
4 copy Of the following letter has
heeo forwarded to Traffic Manager
E.,op Of ,he Southern Express company
sy the railroad commission
ar C.L. Loop. Chattanooga, TenD.
Dear Sir: Wehave reoeived your favor
Of the 5,h lost also by the same mail
sae express tariff We requested you
Co issue. Allow as to thank you tor
vour pronp.nessein this matter.
Yonr Mr.. Sadler had conference
wsva the board to-day relative to the
decssion of the board that the express
eonpaoies should pay the was revenue
snx After a full discussion OF tie
arater uish Mr. Sadler. We could not
eua,nssn. to change sse rule tbe commis-
sion had adopted aed Of which Ne had
xrosided yos 30 our letter OF the 80
Aust
we are clearly Of the opinion that
xAe frsmers Of the Isw intended the ex-
uress companies to pay this tax. and
ne SO ruied, so far as the business OF
Son,h Carolioa is ooncerned
A. tho request of Mr.. saales ne es
saeaed the tiue for your company to
asoes and pot toto effeo. che rule of
eais board ou,il the 25sh Of August
1893 The comuissioo desire to ex-
usess their regrets that they could rot
srrse with the views expressed IN your
sss,es. and that their seDse OF public
da,y esquired them TO msio'a'o the p0'
sss;ea they have taken uodef our
State law
Hoping that you oan agree w''o Go
90 aakiog this 6oal settlement o' tue
Sssze and ,ba, you viii adopt our rule.
R7 order of the board
w. D Evans.
Chai,mao.
d. P. Dauoao.
Secretary.
70 1903