The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-28
On Gross Income Discussed at Great Length
in the House,.
THE VIEWS OF THE OPPOSITION
Emphaticaly Set Forth by Several MEMBERSHIP. Willard Strongly
Advocates the Measure..He Advocates Extending the Principle
to Other CorporatOns-B Bill for Naval Stores Inspectors
for Wilmington University Trustees EIected-The
Charlotte Dispensary Bill Other Towns
Granted Dispensaries.

Z argument that the tax might infuture
| be extended to cotton mills, n Of Mr..
| Craige's argument that it might even
be, extended to farmers.
Mr.. Rountree asked him whether he
thought this tax ought to be placed on
UGH corporations as electric light and
gas companies.
Mr.. Willard said Eyes, in a lesser de-
gree" In conclusion Mr.. Willard (who
is author Of this new tax scheme), said
it might be defeated now, but it would
not down. He declared that the lowest
argument was one that the democratic
party had made pledges to corpora
tions.
Mr.. Robinson said Mr.. Winston had
laid down two astounding propositions
one that it is undemocratic to tax
railways; the other, that the party was
pledged not to tax them. He defended
the committee.
Mr.. Boushall said he did not think it
was in Mr.. Winston to argue that there
was a pledge by the democratic state
chairman to railways which was bind
ing.
Mr.. Allen, of Wayne, said the state
chairman said he had made no pledge
save that in the platform and hand
book, which is that railways and all
other corporations shall receive equal
justice, and equal treatment.
MI. JuSllce Sdlu IndC % get at the
matter Of this tax of property it was
necessary to say that his house was
under no obligation and no pledge. He
said Mr.. Robinson's statement was IN
: der no obligation and no pledge. He
said Mr. Robinson's statement that it
was a fight between the corporations
and the people seemed too much like
. Governor RusselPs argument as re-
garded the railway commission He
asked where would be the justice of
taxing gross earnings Of a Dad like
the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley rail-
way, which had made no money. He
said the proper principle is to tax the
tangible property, and take it's earn
ing capacity into account. He was will
ing to- vote for a bill to LAY the rail-
way commission do this. He bitterly
opposed the inauguration of this new
system.
Mr.. Robinson asked what would be
Mr.. Justices opinion when it was
shown that the Southern railways net
earnings were 80 1-3 per cent.
Mr.. Justice replied that Mr.. Robin
son appeared to be addressing himself
| to an attack on the Southern railway
| and leaving other roads out Of the
| question.
Mr.. Hartsell spoke in favor of this
tax and said it was no new departure
for the democratic party, either in ma
! ton or state.
Mr.. Alexander asked if the railways
did not have S115, 900, 900 invested in
North Carolina.
Mr.. Thompson, of Onslow, said the
cost Of the railways was sSS, 600, 900.
Mr.. Willard said the railways had 4
per cent on 500, 000, 900 on II per cent.
on 1913, 600, 900 assessed alu
The committee rose and the house
took up the special order, the election
of trustees of the state university.
At this moment the act was brought
in and ratified, providing for the cleo
ton of state librarian. This was de-
fe,rred until the trustees were elected.
Kemp P. Battle, c.. M. Stedman, F. H.
Busbee, II. c. Wall, Benehan Cameron,
James S. Manning, John w. Fries, R.
M. Furman, w. A. Guthrie, Thos. S.
Kenan, r. H. Lewis, Jas. A. Lockhart,
James D. Murphy, J. L. Patterson,
John A. Roebling, Henry We'll, W. 7.
Whitsett, E. J. Hale, Charles M. Cooke,
T. J. Jerome, H. E. Faison, T. B.
P. Caldwell, H. A. London, Frank
Wilkinson, E. r. Britton were nomi-
mated by Mr.. Winston and were elect
ed without opposition.
Mr.. Boggs, of Catawba, nominated
M. Q. Sheriff. for state librarian. Mr..
Hampton nominated r. A. Cobb and
Mr.. Williams, of Yadkin, nominated
MISS odlllc 0lOCh. SuGII1lI was clCClcu,
receiving the solid democratic vote.
The house again went into commit
tee of the whole on the revenue bill.
Speaker Common said the highest moral
principles should GOVERN the imposition
Of tax; that the simple fact of needing
money could not justify the levying OF
any kind of tax. The state must set &
model, an ideal for the citizen. Law
is but the consolidated will Of the peo'
pie. Unjust taxation has done more
han anything else to deprave public
morals. He said the dealing was will
corporations, of which the public il
not fond, and hence this is apt to war;
the judgment. The thing to do is t,
be fair, to get the best result on SOUND
principles. He said the value of rail
way property in the state is not valued
for taxation at it's actual value. TIL,
: report shows it is tax-valued at $32,
600, 900, and that the value is put dow
at $39, 900, 900. Net earnings are 6 pc
{ cent. on s66, 600, 900. He argued that i
l would be fair to assess the value o
; railways at the latter figure for tn
1 next two years. Meanwhile the publ
could discuss the matter of tax Of
: gross earnings. He then offered tn
: following resolution:
That the railway commission be an,
o are hereby directed to assess the valu
!, of all railway property in this stat
O Tor taxation on the oasis OF o per GEM
upon their net income"
Mr.. Stevens asked if it would not b
we'll to have this put in the railwa
4 commission act.
!, Mr.. Conner said yes, III the commit
: tee should adopt his resolution.
. Mr.. Thompson said the amount c
a earnings was SO, 200. 900 after deductin
\ operating expenses.
: Mr.. Rountree asked if it covered in
. tereSt on the debt.
g Mr.. Thompson aid NO"
= Mr.. Rountree said he believed a ne'
- railway commission could handle a
. this matter properly. He said he ur
derstood there was to be almost an en-
tirely new commission.
- AT 2:30 o'clock the committee ros
= and the hous too a recess.
NIGHT SESSION.
The house at tonight's session passe
: sixty-five bills, among these being tn