New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-23
REMENBER TIE FRANCHISE TAX


In selecting Governor and members of the
Legislature this fall the people of this State
should not lose sight of the franchise tax cues
ton There is now on the statute book n law
intended TO equalize the tax burdens and COM
pei the great corporations using public high
ways TO pay taxes on the value of their prop
erty, just as other property owners have to do.
The consututionality Of this law is attacked.
out few even of the lawyers of the corporations
expect TO see 1t overthroWn. They base their
hopes mainly on vacating assessments as exces-
slve or improperly made They plan to break
down the law in its practical operation. and so
force notifications by the Legislature. Even if
they do not succeed in the courts they will
strive to start movement to substitute some
other form of franchise taxes.
Now, the people have an interest in this mat
ter as well as the corporations The latter are
active and resourceful, and If the former do
not arouse themselves they may find that the
Iranchlse holders have overreached them and
quietly secured the election of lawmakers in
Doth parues who will emssculate the franchise
taxation scheme. 1t is no secret that the Metro
politan Street Railway people and other fran
chise holders worked with determination and
success TO remove Theodore Roosevelt from the
GOVernorshp and they did not do it without q
motive. They are not the kind of people who
are in politics to pay off old scores but to pro-
mote their future business interests They were
not seeking to punish the Governor for forcing
them to pay fair share Of the taxes They
were concerned with the practical question Of
escaping those taxes and making sure Of modi-
flying the law to suit themselves
The people, however, should see that if the
Franchise Tax law for any reason needs modi-
fcation either TO meet possible objections of the
Court OF Appeals or to overcome defects dis
covered in its operation, such modification sba II
be made by their friends, and not by the ser
wants Of the franchise holders. They should call
for statement from every candidate for Gov
ernor or member Of the Legislature telling what
are his views on this question. 1t is one of tie
most important that can. possibly come before
them and the voters have a right TO interrogat e
them upon 1t. Il they do not exercise that right
they are likely to find that the clever manipula-
ZION which helped 10 remove franchise taxing
Governor has secured a controlling voice in
future franchise tax legislation. The taxpayers
should also demand that the party platforms
contain pledges to maintain the ground that has
been gained There must be no scuttIing nolIcv
I'm this matter
The Republican party which embodied This
great tax reform in law cannot afford 10 take
any backward step either in the making of its
platform or the nomination of fits candidates
If it should follow up the syndcate's success
through Mr.. Plat and Mr. Quay in removing
Mr.. Roosevelt from State politics with the nom
ination Of any man for Governor who seemed
70 the people the representative Of the franchise
holders contributing to Mr.. Platts party purse,