The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-24

in the proposed bill. The "a ~.
hesitatingly given. enN ~
AS specimens. taken AZ
legislation. ! beg to ask the sts..S! ~
senators ana representatives Il h
torial from the State Journal
and influential paper in ohlo--vta,. lsAltx
as ioiiows; The decision OF ~. Ae a ~
preme court. holding that ths ,. vat y
OF the Bell company shall /. v's9tsA
their rental value instead ~ Il td a
cost. Is one OF the most impor, sasf tsz
on the subject of taxation IN, nlk>
handed down since that which ~
the validity OF the Nichols Il su'it1e
franchises. The decision in IT, ~, Y, nlht
case Is. In effect, simply an us,>a
the general principles Of tass,psin 4
which the Nichols law IL bssssoa u,s'
testify 1t viii be far-reaching IN /. 4a.'
II telephones are taxed on ~. taw
value. 1t is apparent the same = fntr|
valuation will apply to everv n1ax 4
Grated In similar manner uvnu
telephones are not sold outriph, @ NJ
rented to the Central Unjnr pq h.
which operates them in Ohio wnlq
cost of each telephone is said !, le suli
SS.4c, and heretofore they hava y ass>>
at that valuation for taxation ~, y. llr4l
company exacts rental of yias -
for each telephone, four tims. ~,
cost. Computed on the lega, u tsll
terest, the rental value OF each I'm ~
would be $23S. Whether tbsv 'esIslas
listed at this figure. or only ~ sual u
1t. in conformity with the eensss, salia
appralsement Of property for ,sys. aae
not known. 1T is expected tbs, NJ
other important points Involves ~ y
elucldated In the decision. which w
reported fully. Ohio has taksr .swh
ground upon the question OF tars,,a.ax
II Is notable that other States ~ ~
lowed her lead. Progress In this 90. y
been along the line OF equalizIne ~ 4, y
dens of taxation. The Nichols = As ~
strong stride in this direction NJ. ~ \.
obvious the limit has not yet bean rs.. Z
The decision Of the supreme co,,rt ' = 4
telephone case will remedy a rnani,... ,''
Justice not reached by the Nlohols Z. Z
The general principle of the tarsti.a -
franchises has worked 40 hardshlns 4,
will not so long as 1t is applied wlth, \. n
limits of sound business policy ~ n, n
other hand. 1t has increased ths 49, X
of the State. placing its finances i ,,Ss.
solid basis. without increas sing III MI
dens of the people," ~
In Massachusetts, wherever the own
may be, II the corporation is cbsrtsrs
within the State, the commonwealth MI
iects the tax on the shares. Wherever n
corporation may be, If the owner i xs..l
in the State the commonwealth slso NJ.
lects the tax on the shares. New jrr,,
imposes for State uses the same tar ,os.|
templated by the bill submitted-a n ~,
cent upon the gross receipts OF All ~!
graph, telephone. cable and express Nh.
panies. IT
The report of the commission being Su.
plete, further explanation is unneesss,r,
1t is placed before the legislature Il M
confident expectation that 1t will rssIy,
the most careful consideration and III
from its labors will result law that IN
without Partially, require each and sysT
individual and each and every interey n
Whatever Character, to contribute so,lz.
bly, and proportionately to the puhIc vr.I
vice. No more is desired-nothing oti.r|
wise should be exacted. Equal and ert;,
justice to all should be the only--ths "a.
trolling motive In all legislation.
II the measure submitted be enacted ns
law, 1t will have the effect to reduce n
present ad valorem rate from IS cent? !,
the 500 to % cents. And, further. M
believed, that If properly executed IL
rate can, within two years after the lr
snail have become effective, be again h.
duccd to 20 cents, which will be amply 81.
hcient for general and public school pr.
poses.
give to the bill an earnest indorsemE..
az the best that can probably be frsrd
under the constitution of the State. IN
responsibility. is now with the Legislative
TO determine whether 1t will accept X :
whether 1t viii devise another system ut
VIII more completely conform To w.
views, so positively and clearly exprtsss
in the act creating the tax con-
mission, A nobler or more importsul
work could not be undertaken, nor 'as
that, If wisely, fearlessly and impartlis
performed, will bring more permanent NJ
substantial benefit to all. 1t should b
done, and well done.
If the legislature will boldly and w.
swervingly stand upon the principle ti
whatever property is worth for the pl
poses of income and sale IL is also wuit
for the purposes OF taxation" and u :
will faithfully observe the requlrensi
of the constitution that "all property y
this State shall be taxed ip propoillal (
TO it's value, its action will not fall
receive the hearty commentator OF ever
Just minded and right thinking citizen
Never before had any Legislature mort
pressing duty to perform-never before
the history of legislation was there
greater necessity for uncompromsrS
fidelity to the people
Jospeh d. Savers. Governor
His Excellency. Joseph D. Savers ucV
ernor of Texas.
General Land Office, State Of Ieh
Austin. December IA, 1sss.--Dear ".
with your request Of tne ~
/ have the honor TO submit DIT