New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-29
10y ERINEHISES VOW

rhora can Inc no question that Governor hoose
ve,t's view Of the iniQuities of the present TAX
lows is a lust ono. His message 10 the Lesls'
,ature j. a moderate statement of the lheqhall-
,ies which should be corrected While on the
one hand il fully recognizes the rights OF capltal
and the public benefit conferred by corpora
lions on The other it lays proper stress on the
dutv of the State 10 take an equal tax from
property invested in franchises rs well as from
nroncrtv nut into houses and factories.
Our lawmakers have for years been trying TO
find new sources Of revenue. He who could tap
n fresh stream took rank among public bene-
factors with those who make two blades OF
GRASS 10 flourish where one grew before. We
have taxed inhelilances and corporations and
nersonalty I'm various forms until we have had
10 face the serious danger Of driving capital
from the State and killing the goose that lays
The golden egg. Our present tax laws violate
one of the primary rules OF wise taxation. They
are premium on deceit and an attempt to levy
OH classes Of property which have facilities for
hiding. Therefore they bear unjustly on the
taxpayers who will not or cannot evade pay
ment. As others escape the burden becomes
heavier on those who do not Taxation OF fran
chises however is free from the objections
urged against the laws which exile property.
The franchise is fixed. 1t cannot get away.
The stock company, If taxed too heavily, can
remove and still draw its profits from this com
munity without paying taxes. The franchise
however. is attached to the place where II earns
money The railroad company may be organ
lied in New-Jersey or West Virginia. but II It
uses New-York street IL can he made TO pay
for II.
6 fpan
can secure large revenues from the corporations
which make most money out of its citizens,
without doing them any injustice or running
any risk either Of hampering enterprise or drlv-
ing away capital. Governor Roosevelt makes
good point whom he says that tax clauses in new
franchises do not meet the requirements of the
case The new enterprises are by that method
put al disadvantage as compared with the old.
TO make one franchse-hOder pay tax while
the owner Of another franchise Of equal or
greater value enjoys It free is as unjust rs to
fax one mans house and pass 10y that Of his
neighbor
In his annual message Governor Roosevelt
called attention 10 the need Of tax reform, ami
this special message may be regarded as prop
erly supplemental TO II. The recommendation
that the Legislature do lis own commission
work is good one. founded on experience OF
The way lawmakers treat other commissions no
matter how expert. But we think II would be
extremely unfortunate If this recommendation
should be made the excuse for postponing all
TAX reforms 20 an indefinite date. The time 10
tax franchises is now. not next year. The enc
mics of franchise taxation would be happy 10
substitute a scheme 10 tax them most vigorously
il, the future for law TO tax them most lightly
NJ present They will he enthusiastic for the
commission to report next year. provided moth
ing is done this year Governor Roosevelt can
not have intended TO have his message made an
instrument for defeating immediate extension