The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-09-19
Mention The Progressive Farmer
when writing TO advertisers.
WHO ARE THR KICKRRsa

The cheek or CELL exhibited by the
railroads of the State in their case
against the Corporation Commission,
in progress before Judge Simonton as
we write this, is simply stupendous.
They have gone before Judge Simon
ton With the plea that their property
is assessed at full value by the Corpor
alton Commission while other prop
erty in this State is ASSESSED at but
two thirds it's real value.
The attorneys Of the Commission
have 1892 efidavits from people in
various counties of the State who say
that private property is assessed at full
value while the attorneys Of the rail
roads have but 282 emdavits from
various people in various counties say
ing that assessment is / or { o. real
value.
But even if the railroads could estab
lish their claim that as a rule HOUSES
and lands in North Carolina are as
sessed at but two thirds their true
value, they would ever then have no
cause to kick al the Corporation Com
missions assessment. And the fact
that these railroad magnates are kick
ing at this assessment proves copclu
siveiy that they have completely cut
distancsd the poorer calamity hoWlers
of the State and completely deprived
them of their hard won laurels. But
let the poorer bowler take their defeat
gracefully and cheerfully accept the
inevitable for ell admit that no calemi-
ty bowler on record has ever more
justly earned the title Chronic
kicker" nor kicked 80 much with Sd
little provocation nor no Wled calamity
at 80 furious a rate with such small
cause Rs have these same railroad mag
mates.
In proof of this statement let US take
the affidavit of Mr.. Fl. Q. Brown, clerk
to the Corporation Commission. In
this affidavit Mr.. Blown shows thst-
1.-THE n Drth Carolina railroad is as.
sessed at 81 600, 600. It's stock is selling
at $3.50, thus shown It's true money
value to be Sc. 400, 900.
The Atlanta aud Charlotte Air Line
in North Carolina is worth 81, 389, 1854
measured by cash sales of stock where
as the tax assessment is 1856 41O
THE Western North Carolina earned
6 per cent. on S. 525 1872 last year
(March so to March 99). 1t is taxed
at s.. 766. $50.
The total assessment of all lines
and operated in North Carolina
by the Southern Railway is SIS, go O13
while North Cardinals proportion Of
the stock and bond value OF the prop
is $50 687, 1876. The avereg &c as
sessment per mile IN North Carolina
for 1899 is $13 289, O9 Toe average
value per mile of ala the Southern
Railways line in the United States
upon stock and bond basis is $50 752 ;
The Wilmington and Weldon Rail.
road from March, 80 to March, '99,
earned 6 per cant on SIG 523 324 1t is
assessed for taxation at SO 765, $50. In
addition to It's dividends, the road had
a surplus from the operations for the
year ending June 3O5h, 1898, or 1870,
229 Al, enough to have paid 9 per cent
dividend on the capital stock, or an
equivalent OF over II per cent.
The North Carolina proportion of
the Norfolk aud Carolina Railroad is
So 278, O85. based upon value of
stock, and it is assessed at 81 433 324.
Ice gross earnings have incret s ID from
1891. 485 80 in 1891, to 1856. $50 in 1895
80.
the Petersburg railroad earned
enough to have paIa Is per cent. on it's
sEcck. LIS property in North
Carolina is worth 1922 Gao, and it is
assessed at 1874, 9O4
1.-The Seaboard and Roanoke Rail
roads property IN North Carolina is
81. 1856 622 1t is assessed for
tax .tion a. 1902, $50.
'Tne Raleigh and g aston r abroad
8 per cent. on 81. 807 GIG and is
8ssesssd for valu ation az 50 III, OBJ"
Bus it is useless to give further in
stances. The fact the railroad mag
are bowling because their prop
erty is assessed at so per cent. of it's
true value, shows beyond a shadow of
doubt that they are the champion
calamity howlers of North Caroline,
and we hope that all lovers OF Justice
will see that their right to this title is
never again disputed.