The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1904-10-28
RAILROAD STOCK
CANARD REFUTED
Mr.. Black Owns No P. R. R.
Shares As Stokes Prob
ably Knew Very
Well.
MERELY A BOYS TRUSTEE
Splendid Reception Accorded
the Democratic Nominee
at Elizabeth.
Special to 4The Jersey city News.'D


wondrously hearty reception was given
Charles c. Black. the Democratic nomi-
nee for Governor, here last night. His
address in jacobs theatre followed pa
rade, the like of which has never been
seen in this city.
Clubs representing every city in Union
County and every ward in the city were
in line to the pumber of neagly $500, and
the procession, accompanied by several
bands, and gorgeous display of fire.
works during its route of three miles,
was greeted with the greatest enthus-
iasm.
Mr.. Black, P. ]. Ryan, Mayor of
Elizabeth; the Hon. Benton Mcmillan,
former Governor of Tennessee. and Rich
ard v. Lindabury, were entertained by
Peter E. Genolf, State Committeeman
for Union County, at dinner previous
to the parade
Three thousand people filed the Opera
House, and accorded the Democratic
Gubernatorial candidate a rousing well
come when he rose to speak. Mr. Black
had to leave early to speak at a big mass
meeting at Railway. He said that he
had not received anywhere in New Jersey
a greater ovation than that extended to
him here, and then plunged at once into
discussion of the paramount issue of
the State eampaign-equ taxation.
He said:-''This great demonstration,
all this enthusiasm shows plainly the
great interest you all have in this great
question of equal taxation It is not
only State ISSUE but a local isslre as
well. because it affects every property
owner in the city of Elizabeth.
II regret that the time will not permit
me speak on this matter as long as /
would like to- as l appreciate the enthus-
iasm that l have seen displayed here
last evening, showing that the interest
in this important question of equal tax
alton is growing, and indicating also
that November we shall win the great
'est victory the party has ever won in this
State.
s.I,ba ,,,ac+;an s r-hatbor n ;s r;rIt
that the property of railroads and canals
in this State is not taxed the same as
the property of individuals and miscel-
laneous corporations This question
should appeal to you, because you are to
decide whether the property of the rail-
roads shall or shall not be taxed at local
rates and for the benefit of the taxing
district in which the property isslocated.
"The individual is taxed for all his
property according to the rate of the
i taxing district in which the property to
be taxed is located. The tax rate in this
city last year was s2.96 on the thou
| sand.
In contrast with that we find that
the railroads, under an act of 1884. are
| taxed on their real estate or main stem,
I only $5 on the thousand, while you are
paying S296o. What is more. the pro
ceeds of this tax levy on the main stem
of the railroads goes TO the state, and
not to the taxing districts.
In the county there are more than
/ 81, 100000 worth of railroad real estate
with 100000 worth of main stem rail-
lroad' property.
| Outside of the main stem property
there is 81, ,404, ,000 worth of second-cIass
property. From over $7,0O0.o00 of as
sessed valuation, the returns to this coun-
ty in 1908 amounted to only $16,307. The
question before you at this time is wheth-
er you want the railroads to continue to
enjoy this exemption?
.sThe-city of Elizabeth has total of
16 miles Of railroad property, valued at
a little over $4,000, 600 Thereturns to
the city Of Elizabeth from me state were
in 1908 only Sl2, 90. 1t is for you to
say whether this property shall be taxed
at the same rate as the local property
owners pay, or not. It is for you TO say
whether the railroads shall contribute to
the support Of tine city in the same proper
tion that The mechanic, the artisaA and
the individual
In Ocean county there are e miles
Of steam railroad property, and upon
this the railroads paid last rear the mag