The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-11-03

that there We're from 500, 000, 600 to $780,
100000 of railroad property in Pennsyl-
vania that pays no tax whatever, either
locally or to the state. In New York
state the dollar of value is the basis
upon which taxes are levied real and
personal, and no corporation of any
Kind can escape paying it's share of
taxes. But, by the statement of ex-
Auditor General Niles, in Pennsylva-
MIA, through discriminating legislation
passed by the machine, and purchased
Dy the corporations, one-half billion
dollars worth of corporate property es-
capes all taxation. The fairest way to
show the difference in taxation of
steam railroads between Pennsylvania
and New York is to take the trunk
lines and lateral railroads that lead out
of Pennsylvania into New York, and
compare the taxes they are compelled
to pay in each state.
The Northern Central railroad, from
Williamspurt to the New York state
line, near Elmira, distance of 20 miles,
does not pay one cent of taxes upon
Its roadbed and other real estate used
in the exercise of it's franchise in the
Pennsylvania counties of Lycoming,
Tioga and Bradford, representing
the township of Southport. Chemung
county. New York, il contributes in
taxes to that township $372.4O Passing
through the corner of Southport,
through the city of Elmira, into the
township Of Households. it pays to that
township $CS1.52. 1t touches the corner
of Catlin and pays S36Gi, and enters the
township of Veteran, in the same coun-
ty, and pays to the township treasury
$lO@S.SO. Then it passes through the
counties Of Schuyler Yates and on
tario on to Niagara Falls, paying at
the same rate in all counties named.
Then again take the Lehigh Valley
railroad, which does not pay one cent
of tax on its roadbed and other real
estate for local purposes from the Del
aware river at Easton through the
counties of Northampton, Lehgh, Car
bon. Luz"rne, Wyoming and Bradford.
When it reaches the township of Van
Etten, in the state of New York, it
contributes $1,902.33 to that township
| treasury.
ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION.
Then take the Delaware and Lacka-
wanna railroad, which contributes moth
| ing to the local treasures in Pennsyl-
vania. When it reaches the township
of Ashland New York, only touching
one corner, it contributes $225.6O toward
township taxes. To the township of
Elmira it pays $425.S2, to the city of
| Elmira $1,199.10, to Horseheads $926.06
to Big Flats $1,157.2O, and so on %
every township it passes through.
Then take the Tioga branch of the
Erie railroad, which runs through Tio-
ppnnSylN-at,ia nd
pay one dollar on it's so miles of road
bed in that county. When it reaches
Southport, in the state of New York,
| on valuation of $4,000 it pays to the
| township treasury SAL.
Then the Fall Brook railroad and
leased lines, which pay nothing on
| their roadbed in the state of Pennsyl-
vania, the moment it reaches the town.
ship of Lindley, in New York state,
| contributes $1,000 to the local treasury
| of that township.
| 1t should be remembered that in New
York all these railroads, in addition to
| the local taxes specified, pay also a
| state tax for the general purposes of
| state government. Yet all the railroads
l have mentioned pay no more or no
| less in the state of New York than the
| farmer, merchant, manufacturer, or the
money lender on their dollar. So again
| Candidate Stones statement that cor
| porations pay more taxes in Pennsyl-
| vania than in other states is proven
| false.
This is Candidate Stones misrepre-
| sentation number 2.
| Again, Candidate Stone asserts that
| the corporations in Pennsylvania pay
their full and equal share of taxes.
! Now, under our state law, they pay
| but four mills on the dollar of their cap
! ital stock mot counting the $500 900 600
that escapes altogether); but does not
! every farmer here know that he pays
from Is to 25 mills on every dollar of
his capital stock? Is this equal and
! fair taxation? This proves the falsity
! of another of Mr.. Stones statements.
| This is misrepresentation number 3.
| FARMERS IN OTHER STATES.
Again, Candidate Stone asserts that
the farmers of Pennsylvania are no
/ more heavily taxed than those of other
states. Yet the average tax in Penn
b sylvania on your land, for the past ten
, years, has been from Is to 80 mills on
! the dollar, while in New York state it
! has averaged from three to ten mills
on the dollar, and in some townships
and cities in that state almost the en-
tire local taxes are paid by the corpora
tions. This proves the falsity of Mr..
Stones statements, and is misrepre-
/ sentation number A.
1 might continue the list of his mis-
| representations on this subject almost
indefinitely, but time will not permit.
You farmers who live in interior coun-
ties do not fully understand the way
you are Disseminated against. but the
farmers who live along the New York
state line. in the counties of Erie, War
rem, Mexican, Potter, Tioga. Bradford
and Susquehanna realize how the ma
chine made laws of Pennsylvania take
the burden off of the corporations and
place it upon the backs of the tillers OF
the soil.
All along the northern border the
farms in New York state are more val
liable than those of the same size and
kind in Pennsylvania. A Sc, 900 farm in
the state of New York is not taxed tc
exceed $25, while the adjoining farm in
paOOSylyoDin Of the carna yoI,,a po,,,