The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-06-02
RAILROAD GOVERNMENT.


| PQOcCu ny tnC Acok AO6AoiSSoA0p ~ w
greatly increase the assessment of the
property of the individual taxpayers OF
this state, and to thereby Increase
their taxes, and to allow the assess
ment of the property Of the railroad
corporations to remain at it's present
figure, or to slightly increase the as
sessment of railroad property, and
thereby to relatively and in fact reduce
the taxes paid by the great railroad
corporations. 1t is to shift by the
| means stated, part of the burden OF
| taxation from the railroads to the
people.
For years an effort has been made
to increase the assessment OF rail-
road property. 1t is obviously too
low. Railroads do an exclusively cash
business, excepting only as they, by
favor, carry free few people OF in
bonded and capitalized for far more
than their cost and fair interest Is
raid on the bonds and generous divi-
dends on the stock. 1t is fact that
can be clearly demonstrated II occa-
sion required, that they are not as
sessed for more than one-tenth of
their actual selling value as shown by
daily sales OF their stock In the pub
lie market. This is 50 well known
that we will consume no time nor
space In Offering proof. The actual
percentage Of their revenues and upon
the real value OF their property, ex-
acted of them by the tax collectors OF
this state, Is less than upon any other
On ~ rfxy a
| tically exempted from all city, town
and village taxes. Yet, notwithstand-
ing their extremely favored positions
it has heretofore been, and notwith-
standing a great popular demand that
a larger portion Of these public bur-
dens should be borne by them, they
have had the audacity to demand that
a system of revenue should be adopted
which should reduce their taxes and
| increase the taxes of the people. For
| by as much as their taxes are reduced,
by that much are the taxes of others
increased. They found in republican
legislature plant tools who would and
did betray the people who elected them
to serve their corporate masters
The scheme adopted was cunning
ODC. GuuCI LIE OIu CyGLCA tuC pew
pie, in their precincts, elected their
assessors. Within their jurisdiction
these assessors were supreme. 1t was
impractical for the railroad to die
tate the selection of the assessors in
all the precincts of the state or to con-
troll their action after their election.
These assessors were elected by the
immediate community in which each
resided and were dependent for their
Office upon their immediate cOnstit-
uency, with whom they were in full
sympathy. They examined in person
each piece OF property and were ia
miliar with its value, and could and
did protect their constituents from ex-
cessive taxation by reasonable assess
ments. The county board could not |
increase the grand assessment roll re-
turned by the local assessors, in the
county, when sitting as board of
equalization. 1t could only equalize. !
1t could raise or lower precincts by a |
percentage, but it must leave the |
grand total where the assessors had |
placed it, The county board could |
raise no Individual taxpayers assess |
ment, except upon complaint in writ
ing and after notice to the party
complained of and upon evidence that
the assessment was too low.
The state board OF equalization
could not touch the work of the local
assessors as finally adjusted by the
various county boards. 1t could only
equalize by varying the rate of taxa
ton on the different counties in case
it was satisfied that the scale of valua-
ton had not been adjusted with rea-
sonable uniformity by the different
assessors.
Taxes were levied by percentage
upon all property so assessed, the rate
being fixed and limited by law. This
system Afforded an eifectual check
upon excessive taxation and upon cx-
trayagance and corruption. The peo-
pie could protect themselves through
their local assessors. The assessment
Of railroad property was confdcd to
the state board by lava notorious
creature Of the railroads. The people
could exercise no control over IT, The
state board would not raise the assess
ment of railroad property although u
seemed most just that II should be