The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1900-05-19

earnings derived from the transporta-
ton OF freight or passengers through
the state. or from point within the
state. to a point without the state, or
from point without, to point within,
is an Interference with commerce be-
tween the states. and n violation OF the
United States constitution.
Substantially tho same results can
be reached by providing for board to
determine the value OF each railroad
mile. including its equipments, and the
gross earnings can be the basis OF as
certaining the valuation of the proper
ties for the purpose OF taxation. The
legislature can then fix the rate per
cent. which the road shall pay into the
state treasury. and the same means
utilized for the collection OF the tax.
Ms are now employed. IL In hoped that
the attention OF the legislature may be
had. before the state Is engaged In It'll
CATION. and loss to our primary schools.
incident TO judgments adverse to tho
state occurs
The Party's Position.
"Thc state convention which honored
me with the nomination TO my present
office was n representative convention,
composed of men representing all ele-
ments OF the party, and without IA dis
senting vote II adopted the following
platform covering the question OF taxa.
ton:
1--WE commend the present state id
ministration for Its earnest efforts In
favor Of the equal and just taxation OF
the property OF railroads. telegraph,
telephone and express companies. We
favor the immediate repeal OF the tax
upon the gross earnings OF railroad
companies. and favor a tax TO be lev
led upon the true value OF railroad, tel
egraph, telephone and express COM
panies' property. This value 10 be de-
termined by a state board. The taxes
collected therefrom shall be paid into
the primary school fund. We indorse
the principles OF the Atkinson bill and
pledge the support OF the Republican
party thereto.
1--WE favor the REIMBURSEMENT OF the
assessment laws OF the state. 30 that
all taxable property Will be placed
upon the assessment rolls ut just
value. and be taxed equally with all
other taxable property In the state
II am credibly Informed that about
one hundred thousand Of the voters
OF the state. by petition and otherwise.
have expressed desire for favora-
BILE REIMBURSEMENT OF the tax laws OF
the state to meet present conditions.
AS candidate OF the party for my
present office ! received majority
over the candidate OF the Democratic
party, and cannot sever the splendid
victory which the party gained from
It's promises to the people made In Its
platform relative to this subject OF
taxation.
THE party cannot. In my opinion.
afford TO take backward step In its
position upon this question. and should
give the same evidences OF good faith
that II has always given upon public
questions. Ii seems 10 be the consen-
sus OF opinion among party leaders
that the declaration Of the party upon
this subject should be clear and up-
cqulvocal.
ultimately connected with the
question OF taxation. especially OF
railroad properties. IL the question OF
altering. amending or repeating the
special charters granted to certain
railroad companies In this state when
the state was new and undevelopcd.
while all other like companies are com
PEELED TO do business under general
laws, which general laws are the sub.
ject Of ration, amendment or re.
peal. without the consent OF the com
panies affected thereby. Additional
efforts should be made 10 secure the
amendment or repeal OF
these charters In fair and proper
way without breach OF contract on
the part OF the state.
Governor John Y. Rich,
"Goveror John 7, Rich, In his mes
sage TO the Michigan legislature on
Jan. ., 1893, made the following ROC
upon this subject: We
have In our state "A few railroads which |
We're piopeers of their kind and were
granted special CHARTERS with special |
privileges. They are today among the |
most prosperous OF our great system |
of railroads. They are contributing |
much TO the growth and prosperity OF |
our state and have rPaped q golden re-
ward therefor. They have now be- |
come an arlstocrncy or privileged class
Df railroads. both ~ TO rates charged
and taxes paid. This condition IL up-
Just TO the general law roads, and I'M
lust 20 the people OF the state. A
STATE In no more Justified In n breach
,f contract than an individual, but In
some instances the railroads them
selves have broken the contract, and
when this has not been done. the char
ers themselves provide means for
heir repeal. II only needs to be stated
hat railroads, like Individuals, should
Do governed by tho same laws and be
subject TO the same burdens for tho
support of the government. trust
MS question Will receive your early
md carefui consideration
Message Of Jan. 3. 1899,
~ desire 10 renew my recommends
lon OF two years ago, that, Is possible,
yme means be- devised for the abro,
Igtlon OF these old special charters 10
hat all our railroads may be placed
Ipon the same basis. 40 far as taxa
Ion and supervision and other iegIs-
alton " concerned
sFrom time ~ time bills have been
nerrd In the Legislature, desIgned 10
ring about the Object of the RECON-,
nendations last above quoted, hui
Iothlng Of importance has been &c.