The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-08-25

form of property he may have. The
working man must do the same thing,
and If he owes any money he must
pay taxes on that, too; not directly, it
is true, but he must pay it neverthe-
less. The man to whom he owes it
must pay tax upon that debt, and
he in turn shifts it upon the debtor.
The business man must pay the tax
upon the full value of his stock and
upon all the money that may be due
him, though he may never collect 1t.
But the railroads of Nebraska, under
the operation of this law, last year
we're assessed upon less than $27 ,00c,-
600 At the same time, upon the .testl-
mony of Edward Rosewater. it was
shown that the railroads of Nebraska
are worth $350,000,000. Under the
provisions of this law, for county pur-
poses, twenty per cent Of the full. value
shall be the sum levied upon. in other
words. while the farmers. toilers, mel
chants and manufacturers Of the state
were assessed upon One-fifth of the
full value of their property, the rail-
roads escaped with tax upon only
one-thirteenth of the value of their
property. Instead of their assessment
being upon $27,000,000. it should have
been upon value Of $4,000, 900.
1t is true that even under this in
iquitous tax measure, the franchise
value of railroads may be assessed
But their assessment is NOT compil-
sorry upon the state board of equali-
zation. The board may" assess
them. The state board Of equalization
consists of the governor, treasurer,
auditor, secretary of state and COM
missioner of public lands and build
ings. II the railroads continue to own
this board, composed of these officers,
can the people of the state hope for
any better treatment in the future
than in the past? Is it not apparent
to the least enlightened voter of this
state that his direct interest, as 10
this particular assessment at least,
lies in the election of the populist
ticket, and especially the candidates for
these places? George w. Berge, for
governor; r. T. Watske, for secretary
of state; J. S. Canaday, for auditor;
John nj. Osborne, for treasurer, and A.
A. WOrsley, for commissioner Of pub
lie lands and buildings, are all men
tried and true. whose records upon
this issue are well known throughout
the state Can the voters of this
state fail to see where their interests
directly lie?
When the enormous values of rail-
road franchises are considered. one
can understand why the railroads are
~, Il
bidding, but why should the people
join in that effort? The most valua-
bic part of the property of railroad
is the franchise. 1t is this that gives
the railroad its monopoly. Why should
this most valuable property escape
taxation?
S>S>S&S&>S&
The Independent welcomes all COM
munications relating to economic
questions All such, whether coincid-
ing with the policy of The Independent
or mt, will be used, so far as space
vii allow. However, ali such commu-
nitations must be short and to the
point The object of every correspond
ent is TO write such communications
as will be read. in these strenuous
times, and especially in hot weather.
not one reader in ten will read lene
thy communications. The object OF
the writer Is therefore defeated. When
writer makes a statement and con-
sumes several pages trying to make
his statement clear. his act Is ac-
copied as sort of apology for the
statement. People who apologize for
statements they make never win the
confidence OF tho reading public.
Therefore say what YOU have "a say
In few words. lie quick and 10 the
point Don't consume ton ~ dyna-
mite 10 XIII flea. Boil Il down. Cut
IL short.