The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1904-10-26

road property by comparing il with
like kind.
The revertino to the provisions OF the
old charters.
Things worth Remembering.
A railroad main stem derives its value
from its continuity and its right to OPP
crate under the state franchise.
Railroad property is now valued as
separate and distinct kind of property
The highest state courts have decided
that its value is not determined by the
same rules as determine the value of
other adjoining property devoted to diff
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 eN-
ceed on main stem, franchise and per
sonal property 81 per thousand. The
valuation will be at local rates and will
be much less than at present
The subject is complicated, and
changes should be made only after a
careful investigation.
The state received last year
from railroads ............. 5000 900
The state paid back to tax
payers Observation-Disclosures. 916CO0
The state paid toward good
roads .......,........ ...... 25O000
I The st ate Maid toNAyard he
OF the insane ........,....... POO coo
The surplus revenue OF the state was
approximately $1,2O0.0O0 in 1903.
Any decrease of revenue will destroy
this surplus. and direct state Tux Will
be necessary.
The Democrats propose to take away
from the state 100000 of its revenue.
Whnt the Republicans Propose to DO.
The Republican platform declares
fiatfooted for equal taxation of all
property, whether ii belongs TO indiyid=
uals or corporations. 1t favors the tax
ing of second class railroad property
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
10 the main stem, franchise and per
sOnal tax, il says that the subject Is in
tricate and difficult to solve and re
quires most careful consideration
and investigation 1t declares in favor
of conserving the interests of the PEG
pie of the state. Ii declares in favor Of
awaiting the report of the tax commits
sion of 1901 in order that IL may have
facts and figures on which to hase fu
/ ture action MS 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 ii is in
! favor of being sure of each step before
/ 1t Is taken.
The Republican party recognizes that
under the present system the state can
do and does three very important
things for the local taxing districts.
First II appropriates $9l60UO as Il di=
rect dividend 10 taxpayers In reducing
the local school taxes; second, II cN-
ponds $2a0.0G0 for the building of good
roads. thus saving the counties SO
much money. and. third, 1t gives 5000
600 extra to care for the insane pa
/ TENTS of the counties, thus decreasing
the burden of the taxpayers. II be
lievcs that these things are of a direct
/ interest to the taxpayers of New Jer
scy and that the greatest care should
he taken in managing the states reve-
nue. So that ii shall not be necessary to
withdraw any of these benefits from
the taxpayers or to impose state tax.
The Republican party is In favor of
continuing Tie plan of distributing sur
plus revenue direct TO the taxpayers.