Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-03-06


fast freight lines, etc, must be dealt
with hereafter, and to show you that
it is necessary that some positive leg
islation be enacted along this line,
wish to call your attention to few
facts that cannot be successfully re-
futed:
Telephone companies,
valuation 5 93l, 1913 90
Telegraph companies,
valuation 6,349, 407 Sc
Total 1921, $50 So
These companies paid tax for the
year ending June 80 1901 which
amounted TO $44,l55.55. The tate of
taxation for that year was practically |
$3.50 If they had paid the same
amount of tax that other property |
pays, they should have paid into the |
state treasury, 500, 2l9 II. They were |
benefited by the laws of Michigan
over and above other taxpayers not
so favored to the amount of $50, O62 GO |
Express companies, Pullman car
companies, fast freight lines, either
pay no taxes or very small beside
what they should.
introduced bill for the revision
of the tax laws and tried to enforce
its passage in the very last days OF
the session, which had great many
features absolutely necessary. in my
opinion to the enforcement OF the
taxing laws as they should be enforc-
ed. and which went down in the gen
eral rush TO get the bills through.
This measure. with such additional
matter as will meet the demand OF
the times, should be passed at the
very first meeting of the legislature.
our tax laws are full of defects and
inconsistencies and the members of the
tax commission prepared this bill and
gave it the fullest possible scope to
meet all of these deficiencies. 1t
ought to have been passed and willsbe
passed.
Regulation of freight rates is a
question, Beldingis particularly inter
ested. and a bill was introduced to
regulate this matter, and | was in
favor OF it, and many meetings were
; held before the railroad committee al
which the railroads we're represented
bv their best talent showing the inn
portance of the measure. My Judge
ment is, that the purpose of this leg
islatiou is to cut out discrimination
between shipping points. Beding Is
a shipping point that would be i'm
t measurably benefited by such a law
d Under the facts that were brough
{ forward at his hearing. it appeared
conc msively that the rates from non
c competing points were always highe
- than from competing points: that
was harder work TO obtain cars am
~ Accommodations at non-competiu,
II points than at competing points; tina
IS classification OF freights were wron
q in many instances with irreparabl
wrong to shippers.
Generally speaking there are
- great many other measures that nee
attention. | believe in as few laws
- possible, but have them good laws
t and vet new conditions CONSTANT
arise which require the considerable
X of the lawmakers of this state, and
a have called your attention to thes
Is particular measures because thin
IL they are the ones of the most viti
y interest to the people generally, an
understand there is general d'
lie mand for the taxation of corpor;
Sc tions the same a. the home OF tn
widow, or the farm of the farmer,
the stock of the merchant. ! do M
believe corporations should bear an
80 more than their just burden OF tax
ID ton, but they should be willing
al long as they are protected by the la
to do that much.
y In conclusion | want to reassert N
belief that the republican party
o, the party to bring out these reform
that an honest effort has been mac
~ for the last two sessions of the legi
lature to meet this crying demand
n. the people and whoever may repr
sent this county i'm the house and Sc
= ate should come 10 the legislatnl
prepared to do their full duty in tn
On regard without fear and without Ia
- or; and when they nave so perform
=" that duty, know the people OF tn
u county will most heartily CONNER
~ their actions.
- Andrew Fyfe OF Grand Rapids v
:. next called upon BY the toastmast
- for remarks and song and gave bo
~ to perfection, his jokes and pu
- bringing forth much laughter and
plause. He said that although be Il
ala the Democratic party six years a
Ion the money question he did =