Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-09-07

not true Of the railroads. II you ex-
ceed your powers by the fraction Of
an inch the railroads will at once ap-
peal to the courts and have 1t correct
ed. The Supreme court will undo any
illegal act that you may do, but 1t
will not do any legal act which you
should have done. do not know what
you will do, but do know that there
will come time when the people will
find way Of making the great steam
railroads and other corporations pay
their just share Of the burden of tax.
alton.
"The big corporations get all the
benefits of the present methods of as.
sessments. How? BY influencing
Auditors, by influencing Legislators,
by influencing courts and by influenc-
ing elections. Let us take off the
mask and be frank with each other.
/ say that no Auditor or other official
who has railroad pass in mis- pocket
or accepts other favors from these
corporations Is a fit man to say how
pay. Some men may be above these
influences, but / doubt 1t. Why, gen
tlemen, this business of extending ia
vors to public officials has even gone
so far as to extend to your august
body. Two of you accepted an invi-
tation of a certain railroad official to
take a long trip in a private car to
California. | hope it did not influence
you.'
The Mayor closed his speech with
few moments there was an absolute
quiet, every one present expecting that
som one on the Board would challenge
the Mayor for an explanation. After
a reasonable wait Judge Collins of
the B. a. o. said he would like to
prepare an answer to the Material
things presented by the gentleman on
the other side" After little discussion
the Board tiXd the time as Sept. Ia.
Mayor johnson said he would be on
hand.
/ Judge Hunter said he would deter
mine later and let the board know
If the Hooking Valley wished to make
any reply. If so he would come in
Sept. IA. II won't answer Mayor
Johnson's statement that every public
body from the United States Senate
down is corrupt" he said, 'and there
fore / will make no attempt to show
that the members of this board are
not corrupt | do know that the Hook
ing Valley did not corrupt the auditors
who assessed its property, nor did 1t at,
tempt to corrupt them. If Mr.. John.
son is not satisfied with the present
law of assessing railroad property lei
him go before the next legislature ano
! have 1t changed"
1T is not with the law, but with thC
execution of it that l find fault" re
torted the Mayor.
Then get policeman to make thu
board execute 1t right"
Il know better way of doing i
than with policeman" was the reply
II know what you mean," laughed
| Judge Hunter.
Ramsey of the Wabash walked VI
TO the mayor, and, shaking his pencil
at him, began to PROFOUND question:
as to why railroad property was as
sessed higher in Indiana than In Ohio
81 don't know" answered the mayor
"Prof. Bemis knows, though"
"Then | call on Prof. Bemis to ex
plain"
Prof. Bemis looked at Ramsey con
temptuously for moment and thel
turned his back.
Ramsey became bit abusive and tn
Mayor sought to cut him short an,
asked him to explain why his road wa
assessed for $4,000 per mile less Il
Ohio than In Indiana.
"You may do your talking outside
gentlemen" cried Attorney GeneIn
Sheets.
81 beg your pardon. WILL" said tn
Mayor, "but I'll come back Sept. IA.
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