The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1904-10-07

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Our opponents have always exploited it
as model law, claimed the credit for
its passage and have always refused to
change it. In one campaign since their
slogan was equal taxation and they
made the same promises they are max
ing this year. That was the first time
| ever saw my friend Record. He had
come down to my town with a lot of
Democratic spellbinders to speak.
went there--timid, shrinking, scared to
death-and listened to the thunder of
the Hudson County Democrats They
said, if you will elect us we will tax the
railroads and the money will go to the
local treasures. After the election they
found that their scheme was impractica-
BILE and they forgot all their promises
They passed an act that in no way
altered the 1884 law, in principle. At
that time, being threatened with State
tax, they used their school fund for
State expenses rather than increase the
tax on the railroads, Formerly the rail-
~roads were not heavily taxed They
We're given a certain immunity in order
to encourage their building SO as to de-
velop the country. just as today mallN-
featuring plants are encouraged through
grants of partial immunity from taxa
ton. When the general railroad law
passed the railroads gave up their privi-
leges and accepted a greater burden.
When they had been taxed at 100000
they paid $1,5O000O. Whether that
equalized their burdens with those of
the private citizens is not the question
now What | want to get at now is Mr..
Blacks attitude. In 1886 he was a
member Of a commission which made a
report, the conclusion of which was:-
We do not believe we could devise a
better law (than the law of 18S4). Mr.
Black signed that statement. Now,
though | am a candidate for Governor
and desire to be elected. I would not get
single vote at the price of deception
or by trick of word 81 want my attitude
and that of my party to be placed before
you. Mr.. Black did put in supple
mental report in which he recommended
that second class property be taxed at
local rates. That is the Republican plat
form today. How can the State Board
ever value the main stem of a railroad
as property of private owners is valued.
The scheme is impracticable, farcical
and of doubtful constitutional soundness.
The main stem can be valued as an
entire property. After experience the
Board has valued and taxed it at uni
form rates. The Democratic platform
says tax it at varying rates. Mr. Black
said in his speech here the night before
last that he represented the plaintiff in
this issue and the defendant. He stated
his own case. / fling back the charge.
We are not on the defensive. | believe
the Republican platform presents 4
practical solution of the platform. I.
| provides for the payment of State ex-
penses and adds to municipal revenues.
It will keep us from State tax. We
recognize the fact that revision of the
| law is necessary. Our Democratic
friends did not instigate this movement
It was started by tile Republicans Of
Hudson County. 1t originated with
Mayor Pagan, and, Mr.. Mayor turning
to the chairman, protest against the
Democratic party trying to crawl int
office on your Ncoattails'
Senator Stokes was followed bx>~Cor
pcration Counsel George Z. Record, whe
was the only other speaker.