The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-31
TAX ASSESSMENT CASE.

On the first of June last the Corpor-
alton Commission, composed of three
honest and honorable and just men,
increased the assessment on the rail
roads to something like $40 100000.
whereas the market value of the rail
roads in the State far exceeds $780,
100000. 1t was moderate and conser-
vative assessment. and the railroads
ought to have been glad that it was
of its true value in money. Instead
of that they applied to Judge Simon
ton for an injunction restraining che
commission from increasing the as
sessment. OF course they got the re-
straining order. When the hearing
came off at Asheville. the railroad at
torneNs asked the judge to appoint a
Master to ascertain whether other
property was assessed like the rail
road property. Simonton declined to
DO this and said that he would deter
mine the case as presented. He de-
cided that the Legislature had not
conferred ON the Corporation Commits
sion the power to make the assess
ment and thus avoided decision on
the facts. Later the Supreme Court
of North Carolina held that the Legis-
lature had conferred that power on
the Commission. Bound by that de-
cision, Judge Simonton then did what
he had declined to do at Asheville-ap-
throughout the State. After delaying
the hearing as long as possible, the
railroads finally announced that they
We're ready to begin on Wednesday
of this week. 1t lasted only few
hours, and has now been adjourned
till Judge Simonton can pass upon
the questions raised. That insures de-
lay until after the Legislature of 1901
has adjourned, and that is what the
railroads are fighting to secure.
In the Wilmington hearing the at
torneys sought to compel the private
corporations to exhibit their books
while keeping their own books closed.
The appeal to Simonton is virtually in
these words: Dear Judge: We are
in hole about this assessment mat
ter. In order to force the State to a
compromise, we are trying to make
eats paws out of the cotton mill men
by making them think they are in
danger. We wish you to compel them
to feel that they must stand by us
by deciding that they give all inside
facts as to their business. and at the
same time we want you to say that
nobody shall look at our books. This
may be difficult thing to do, but you
have never failed us before and we
think you can find a way ito sever
and divide a hair twiNt West and
Northwest side Please help us out
now or we will have to pay our taxes
like other folks
The owners of cotton mills and 9th
er private, enterprises are too smart
to be used as eats paws to pull the
chestnuts out of the fire for the rail
roads. At the regular time, before the
proper tribunals. they gave in their
property for taxation and paid the
tax assessed by the assessors. They
exert great influence in the State, and
the railroads want that influence to
help work up q public sentiment III
favor of compromise. These enter
prises have so far refused TO respond
to the invitations of the railroad,
will you walk into my parlor?" a Ia
the spider to the fly. And so they
thought to eNtort their support by
putting the screws on the private cor
porations by threat of exposing their
business. VIII Simonton come to their
help? We shall see.
This paper, voicing its own convic-
ton and what it believes 10 be the
sentiment of the people of the State,
declares:
1. That no excessive assessment on
railroads would be approved by the
people.
2. That the assessment made by the