Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-03-29


Ia.-Gentlement: We realize you
do not use the gross earnings as "a basis |
for fixing valuations, but it should have
some bearing on this subject, as the |
earning capacity of a property is the
main factor in fixing values. Our
prayer is that our valuation be reduced
above the average of all the roads in
the state, based on the earning capac-
ity. q. b. GRANT.
Superintendent"
Pathetic as is this case. Mr. Grants
yond all manner of doubt, for his
prayer, as we have already seen. was
unanswered by the executive council
the assessment of his road was not
lowered much out of regard for the
general PLAN that has been ..un-
changed during many administrations"
But let US search the records of the
council. This is not the first time, / beg
to assure the honorable gentlemen who
compose the time honored and consti-
tutional majority of three against one
in this council that ] have spoken out
against the iniquitous Inequalities i'm
posed upon TIC r;:;i::.s;a. Is q. iowa
IN Conclusion.
In conclusion, j only wish 10 say that
time and time again in the executive
council chamber have | numbered the
charges herein made. Never. as recall,
have my figures or assertions been dis
proven to any essential degree. I3ut my
efforts. my Indignation my patience, my
Appeals TO honor and 70 party have
iaVaileu nothing. Nothing, have been
II. - \
laughed at and Scorned. What is more,
have been ignored utterly. foi' the
most of the assessments Or current gos-
SIP is to be credited) have been deter
mined outside the council chamber in
the secretary of states private office, in
secret star chamber sessions, in CONSUL
1 tatlon with the representatives. of one
| or sometimes two railroads. This may
be according TO law, but | DO not recall
that the state of Iowa was conceived
ard born into this great union of states
for the express purpose f subscribing
| the purposes of a particular railroad
system. know of nothing in the con-.
stitution or the code Witiah authorizes
1 ,he executive council toptotect nour-
iish and obey u particular railroad cor
! poraton. The people of this great COM
| monNeaith did not as 4at as know.
eject me or any other member OF the ex-
1 eeutive council To favor one railway sys-
item. 10 reiissve it of taxes and to liter-
laliy rob the citizens of this state OF their
properly py compelling thsiH TO pay
TAXES that a certain railroad ought TO
haNe paid But may alas BE- mis-
taken. Whstfler railroads assessed eN-
/ cesslves! nigh or out q all proportion
70 9taief and competing roads tan !nain-
1 tam inandanus proceedings against the
axecatNe equneiito compel this body TO
/ asses fhsnl fairy San nor say But
'ueh ought 10 be their right whether
/ the county authorities or any TAXPAYER
! ~ '4ouhcl sun benson Marshall
| town. Cedar RAPIDS and clinton can
n i5 the executive council and
compel 1t To place a decent valuation
\ upon the main trunk line running thru
/ their cities ! can not say But surely
the Spirit cf our laws and wise policy
should give them such resource
lheh ioiioWs y aetalied5eSpssa OF
! ms ae0ioh ~ feIussng 10 woIry the SICK
4 a'.u'tef Win me business, charging me
governor Nth siN'ils euS psfN.si'se
4 assoi.11 " liial iaetiSisss 10 ths5 news Pr
4 PSF rsl''its's, = Pee NY 20 = tSieiS
isit. VIC is'ilesS' lo the iilies- sss-
i's'''iisai'' fpt'Iliiisl9h iiaN keys a5la : ~
50 = ! u iis csoses ~ -
Z, ny
sIlsllNf.s AZ SHAW
I This IS he story q sincere fort on
my part to relieve Mr. Merriam from
any Worry or harm in connection With
the late unfortunate Assessment II rail-
roads Tor 1850. WAS not brutally indif-
/ / .ferent 70 MS welfare and ! wan; him 70
4 kilpsl II | want his father ana his esti-
fnaoie VIE 70 KNOW T. Further ! beg
i ~ peeifuily 70 sns9rm my colleagues
Il mat long before eiiilsr of them appeared
II IN lhls council ana Years before his eX-
tceileiiey. the governor Was Known po-
atleaiiS OUTSIDE c0nflnes OF ms nome
a county, Knew ans enjoyed an intimate
a iilendshtp WITH AutAtor Merriam, and |
4 naNe not lost or fofsotfen the kindly re-
4 gara entertained Tor him before we
parted company last year on the rail-
irodd assessment
Moreover Mart the public 70 Know
4 mat hot4o one OF the reporters Who wrote
these reports 70 my own party organs
came to me OF, mat any Inquiries OF me
as 20 ne part took III the q assessment,
OF ra.iroads or Why acted as lald con-
4 csrnlng MI Merriam And | want the
I pHoilc TO Know also that the reporters
"a received their Information from orc or
me other a my colleagues who alone
Knew the facfss aild VINO. Tor ceWarels