Perth Amboy evening news., 1904-10-20

ates $25O.O00 each year for the building
Of good roads.
Dangers to he Guarded Against.
The danger that any change in the
law of 1854 may be unconstitutional.
The decrease in the valuation OF the
main stem through cutting it up into
small parcels.
The decrease in the value of the main
stem by separating il from the fran
chise.
The decrease in the valuation Of rail-
road property by comparing it will,
other property in the same locality Of
like kind.
The revcrtins to the provisions of the
old charters.
Things Worth Remembering.
A railroad main stem derives it's value
from its continuity and it's right to op-
crate under the state franchise.
Railroad property is now valued as a
separate and distinct kind of property
The highest state courts have decided
that it's value is not determined by this
same rules as determine the value OF
other adjoining property devoted to dir
ferent uses.
The railroads claim that they have
retained their charter rights, and one
of the charter rights is that the tax
shall not exceed one-half of / per cent.
If the railroads maintain their claims
of charter rights, the rate cannot ex'
coed on main stem, franchise and per-
sonal property So per thousand. The
valuation will be at local rates and will
DO much less than at present. -.
The subject is complicated, and
changes should be made only altar 4
careful investigation.
Tho state received last year
from railroads. .......... 100000
The state paid back to tax
payers 91o,OUJ
The state paid toward good
roadS .............. ...... ZoU,UUU
The state paid toward tho care
OF the insane. ............. 2UO,UOU
The surplus revenue of the state was
approximately $1,200,000 in 1908.
Any decrease of revenue will destroy
this surplus, and a direct state tax will
be necessary.
The Democrats propose to take away
from the state 100000 of its revenue.
what the Republicans Propose to Do.
The Republican platform declares
fatfooted for equal taxation of all
property, whether it belongs to individ-
uals or corporations. 1t favors the Tux
fnr Of cAaAy1 alnCs rnfIrAad N,O,aa,tt,
by the state board of assessors at full
local rates solely for the benefit and
use Of the locality where such second
class property is situated. In respect
to the main stem, franchise and per-
sonal tax, it says that the subject is in
tricate and difficult ITO solve and re-
eQuires q most careful consideration
and investigation. 1t declares in favor
of conserving the interests of the peo-
pie of the state, 1t declares in. favor of
awaiting the report afSthe tax
sion Of 1904 in order that it may have
facts and figures on which to base fu-
ture action as to taxation of main
stem, franchise and personal property.
The Republican party is in favor of
equal taxation and declares in favor of
the taxation of all property at full
value. 1t does not believe in promising
more than it can perform, and it is in
favor of being sure of each step before
1t is taken.
The Republican party recognizes that
under the present system the state cal
do and does three very important
things for the local taxing districts:
First, it appropriates 100000 MS Il di-
rect dividend to taxpayers in reducing
the local school taxes; second, it eX-
ponds $250,000 for the building of good
roads, thus saving the counties so
much money, and, third, it gives $780,
600 extra to care for the insane pa
tents of the counties, thus decreasing
the burden of the taxpayers. 1t be-
lieves that these things are of n direct
interest to the taxpayers of New Jel-
sey and that the greatest care should
be taken in managing the state's reve-
nue. so that it shall not be necessary to
withdraw any of these benefits from
the taxpayers or to impose a state tax.
The Republican party is in favor of
continuing The plan of distributing sur
plus ven direct to the taxpayers.
The Figures In the State
The following table will show a COM
parison, taking the state at large, of
railroad property with other properties
as to taxes, amount of property, amount
of money paid per acre, etc.:
Area. excepting railroad real
estate O,zoE,JOU oCfeS
Area railroad, main stem, about $4,000 acres
Area railroad, second class. 6,054 acres
Assessed value, 5,232, 900 acres,
with Improvements. ............ $S77, 49,, OF
average, $I67 per acre.)
Assessed value, 5000 acres,
main stem and franchise. 80. 1853, 157, 900
average, $6.366 per acre.)
Assessed value, 6.054 acres, Sec
ond class real estate and i'm
provements ..,.............. 1885. O97
average, $7,075 per acre.)
Per cent whole area used for
railroad purposes. -. 59-100 of 1 per cent
Per cent whole value placed on
railroad rea...s.......... 18 7-10 per cent
rrAtnI h,,r31w,L 80 20 49, To-. T. oil