The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-10-20

| declares that the question OF taxing
corporate property and repeating tho
special charters of railroads is para.
mount in this state.
Large Interests Involved.
1t is conceded that the matters that
the legislature is to consider are of the
greatest Importance. The repeal of the
special railroad charters will make the
state liable for damages variously esti-
mated at $4,O0O,000 to $1,000, 900, while
the proposed amendment to the consti-
tuition WILL IL adopted, revolutionize
the system of taxation now prevailing
| in the state.
Joint Resolution.
Following the reading of the govern
or's message n joint amendment was
introduced and referred to the judici-
airy committee. Asagreed t o by the COM
mittee the resolution confen upon the
legislature the power to levy ad valorem
taxes on corporations in place of spe-
cific taxes. leaving the classification OF
the corporations entirely with the leg
islature.
Governor. Mes.nre.0
Gov. Pingree's message is i'm part as
follows:
You have been called together in special
session for action upon two very important
taxation measures:
]. Ameasure providing for the submission
to the people of Michigan at the general
election to be held on November next of
an amendment or amendments to the con-
stitution of the state which will permit the
enactment of laws that Will provide for
the equal taxation OF all property by an
assessment of the same at its actual cash
value, and
2. Bills providing for the repeal or amend
ment OF the special charters of railroads.
In the proclamation calling you together
| gave you substantially the reasons for
my action. One is that unless this consti-
tutional amendment Is submitted to the
people at the election on November 6 next
equal or uniform taxation cannot be made
an accomplished fact for at least two years
and half. Another is that this Is a presi-
Dental year, and so complete and general
an expression of the wish of the people
cannot be had again for four years.
Against Local Taxation.
Under our constitution as construed by
the supreme court of Michigan II is prac-
tically impossible to frame a law by which
the property of railroad. telegraph. tele-
phone and express companies can be taxed
upon Its true value unless we resort to To-
cal taxation. This latter method would de-
prive so many school districts of necessary
revenues that it would be most serious
blow to our school system. II would also
In Its results be grossly unjust to the COM
panies themselves. The evil effects of this
method OF taxing these properties are so
apparent that few can be found who will
advocate 1t.
IL follows. therefore, that the people are
demanding an amendment to the constItu-
ton which is absolutely necessary for the
establishment OF uniform taxation. and the
simple proposition now Is: Shall the people
be given the only opportunity which the
form OF government permits to change our
organic law so that this can be done? To
deny them this 4 equivalent to saying that
they are not fit for self-government.
Repeil of Charters.
As have air lady stated in prior mes
sage to the legislature during the period
from 1855 to lS,., the rate Of taxation for
state purposes increased from six cents
per capita TO $.4 per capita. During the
same period tie proportion of taxes for
state purposes paid by the railroad com
panies decreased from y per cent In 1855
TO q 40 per &C Mt. in 1895.
The state, during the early period Of rail-
road developm mt, encouraged the raii-
roads by making the IN gifts OF property and
granting them valuable privileges In the
shape of exen ption from taxation. 1t III
becomes them now, when they are so
wealthy ana TOSptrOuS, TO resist the ef-
forts OF the people Of the state to place
them on the same footing as TO taxation
with all other corporations and persons.
The subjec. OF the repeal Of special char
tiers OF railroad; is also a matter which has
been under consideration for so long IA
period of time that 1t Is not now neces-
sary for me TO enter into full discussion
of the arguments In support Of such repeal
1t is no longer disputed by anyone and.
hardly think by railroad officials them
selves that Hp, cial charters should be
either repealed or amended. The plat
forms Of both Ioitcal parties declare Tor
their repeal, ard the candidates for gov
ernor upon botn party tickets have an
bounced themselves In public addresses as
being emphaticilly in favor of withdraw
ing these special privileges. You all know
that these charters were granted when the
state was in an urdeveloped condition and
were given for the purpose OF encouraging
and aiding the building and extension of
railroads.
Under special Charters.
The railroads operating in this state I'M
der special charters are as follows:
/. Michigan Central Railroad company,
main line, running from the city of Detroit
10 the Michigan and Indiana state line near
New Buffalo, distance OF 221 miles.
2. Lake Shore Il Michigan Southern Rail-
way company, main line from Ohio and
Michigan state lire In Monroe county to In
diana and Michigan state line In st. Jose oh
county distance OF 1l6.G miles. jackson
branch. frIm Lenawee Junction TO Jack
son, 1916 rifles. and Monroe branch from
Lenawee Junction to Monroe, 29.45 miles
total mileage. 1S7CS, operated at present
under special charter by the Lake Shore q
Michigan Southern railroad and the Erie a.
Kalamazoo railroad
3. Detroit. Grand Haven IL Milwaukee
Railroad company, running from Detroit
to Grand Haven. distance of 1888 miles
Delay Will Add to Cost.
II damages must be paid we not only add
TO them by waiting. but we continue a
wrong az we'll You will recall that at the
regular session of your bodies an act was
passed constituting the railroad commits
| sioner, the state treasurer and the secre-
| tary of state a commission ito negotiate
| with such railroad companies as are in
| corporated under special charters to ascer-
tain upon what terms such railroad com
panies will surrender their respective char
| tiers and reincorporate under the gene raj
| railroad laws OF the state of Michigan: a lsc
| TO ascertain, as nearly as such commission
| Is able to estimate and determine the sa me
| the amount OF damages each and all rail.
| road companies will be entitled to In event
| Of the repeal of such special charters"
| have requested a report from this com
| mission as to the status and results OF theii
| negotia lions, and submit their report here
| with. heartily concur In the recommends
| lions which the commission makes. and the