The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1901-02-07
THE RAILROAD COMPROMISE.

Thrco months'
THE RAILROAD CoMPROMfsE.
TIE CAUCASIAN, some weeks ago
foreshadowed the compromise that
was made last week by the Governor
with the railroads in the tai valua-
ton matter.
We charged that this course would
DO pursued and limited, a. that time.
that something was In the air.
The action taken 10 certainly no
more than we have, for . long while,
had reason to believe would be the
result.
This paper has been Of the opinion
that the tar question would be set
tied out OF court, oonseq uently the
com promise agreed on by the Gov
srnor and the railroad officials Is no
surprise at all.
In submitting his m sssage to the
Legislature Governor Aycoek says
that the compromise will bring about
$4,000 into the State Treasury. He
SAYS that the total cost OF the inves
tigation OF the tar valuation cues
ton Is about $4,000.
To accept the compromise on the
basis Of Sl78 900 the Governor thinks
"just and wise."
1t Ia enough TO say that IL these
large corporations paid proportion
ately exactly the same amount Of
taxes that individual citizens pay
several hundred thousand dollars
would be added to the State Treasu
ry and there would certainly be M
reason for the issuance OF the pro
posed million dollars in bonds.
II the Legislature would do "eQ ual
and exact justice" to all the corpora
tions, as it does towards citizens
In the matter OF taxation the Treas
ury would not be In q bankrupt
condition today.
On the contrary, they could 81
levy taxes on q just and equitable
basis as would raise adequete rev
enues to meet all legitimate de
mands.
But this will not be done.
The corporations rendered mate
rial aid to the ballot-stufflng ma
chine In the recent campaign, and
of course, 1t can not be expected
that this machine, now dOminan
In the Legislature, will turn dow
the proposition to compromise tn
suits against the railroads.
It would indeed be base ingrati
tude on the part Of the machine
they were to attempt to compel tn
railroads to pay taxes on the sam
basis as all other citizens.
The Governor, In his special met
sage urging the Legislature to agre
to the compromise, says:
"There are q good many men
am aware who would have prefer
red to continue the litigation, an
to pass other and more stringen
tax laws against railroads"
Indeed, this is true statemer
Of the wishes of "many men," an
why?
Because they know full we'll tbs
the case should not be compromise
on such an unfair basis, 80 far 9
the State Is concerned. They know
furthermore, that justice demand
that these corporations should b
required to bear their just propo
ton OF taxation.
It Is significant that the Cover
nor should call attention to the IA,
that "many men" are opposed
any compromise In the matter.
Another fact that is full Of siI
nificance Is that the Raleigh Pos
. stalwart railroad organ, hearth
approves the action of the Cove
nor In efiecting the compromise.
II there were no other ground Il
believing that the railroads al
getting the "best of the bargain
the endorsement Of the Post shout
be incontrovertible and convincir
proof.
But the Legislature will continr
to do the good government {
act until the people learn to vo
for their own interests and welfar