The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-28
The Act For it's Revision and Consolidation
Before the Senate.
RAILWAY INCOME TAXATION
Motion Strike This
of Overman Res
oution Regarding Dspensary Tax
Proposition Several Will
mngton BIls>. Testimonial forL Lieutenant


Of Mr.. Julian, TO strike out the income
tax on railways.
Mr. Willard moved that the amend
ment be reported back to the house
without prejudice.
Mr. Connor referred to his resolution
directing the railway commission to put
railways on the tax lists on the basis
of per cent. on the net income. He
said his resolution was perhaps crude
in language, but that he adhered to
the principle.
Mr.. Mclean wanted to know wheth-
er Mr.. Connors resolution did not take
the place of Mr.. Julian's amendment
Mr.. Overman said Mr.. Connor's res
olution was not germane to the bill.
Mr.. Connor said he would withdraw
it until the bill was disposed of and
that he would then re-introduce it
as it merely suggested a line of ac-
ton.
Mr.. OVerman did not want the
amendment thrown back into the house
and wanted the committee to dispose
of it.
Mr.. Wizards motion prevailed and
the committee at once rose.
Mr.. Overman made motion that
the house proceed to consider the rev.
enue bill. He said he had done all he
could for sixteen years to make the
railways pay their full quota of taxes;
that he introduced the first bill to Gre
ate a railway commission. He said
the democratic party has never made
any pledges to the railways or to any
other corporations: that the party pro-
poses to do no injustice to the railways
or to any corporations. He declared
he did not think the income tax on
railways proper He said Mr.. Connor's
resolution would let some railways es-
cape. He said this legislature would
elect a railway commission, brave, no.
BILE and broadminded, which would put
the railways on a tax value and that
they would be assessed on their fran
chise as we'll on their property. He
read his resolution.
Mr.. Holman wanted to know if this
gave the railway commission any addi-
tional power.
Mr.. Overman said it would show to
the commission what this legislature
and the people demanded, and that he
was sure the new commission would do
the proper thing.
Following is Mr. Overman's resolu-
ton:
Whereas, 1t is claimed and gener-
ally believed that railway property of
the state is not bearing it's equal
proportion of taxation, and
Whereas, All property in the state
Should bear its full share of the bur-
den of government.
Resolved, By the hoiise Of repre-
sentatives, the Senate concurring. that
the railway commission or any body
succeeding to it's power, be and they
re hereby directed, as soon as prac-
ticable, to revise the assessment for
taxation Of the entire railway property
of the state, taking in consideration in
making said revised assessment the
earnings and gross income, as we'll as
the franchise of said railways.
Resolved, That this resolution be
enforced on and after it's ratification"
Mr.. Willard called the previous ques-
ton and the call was sustained. He
asked that only those sections to which
there were amendments be read. The
bill was then read in that shape, it
being it's second reading. The amend
ments made in committee of the whole
were adopted one after another.
Mr.. Winston's amendment of Sec
ton 81, taxing dispensares, came up.
This was much discussed section in
committee of the whole, and there was
an amendment to the amendment (of-
fered by Mr.. Craige) to provide that
all dispensary tax shall go to the
| schools. The section as amended was
| adopted. The question was then on
| the amendment of Mr.. Julian, to strike
out the section which imposes an in
| come tax on railways Ca tax on gross
earnings).
| Mr.. Robinson demanded the yeas and
nays on this.
Mr.. Julian said that after the intro
| duction of Mr.. Overman's resolution
| his amendment certainly ought to be
| adopted.
Mr.. Overman said he had hoped tha,
his resolution could be in this bill.
Mr.. Allen. of Wayne, suggested that
it be inserted in the machinery act.
Mr.. Craige said he understood thai
Mr.. Overman had introduced it as ar
amendment to the revenue act
Mr. Overman said he would like ts
have 1t also adopted as a resolution ar