The Jersey City news., 1906-03-10
Last Night He Openly
Charge E d Corporation
Counsel Record With Pur-
posely Misrepresenting the
Hillery Tax Bill
POLITICAL CRIME
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT
THAT THE BILL WAS DRAWN
IN THE RAILROADS. INTEREST
WHEN NO SUCH THING rs THE
CASE, SAYS THE GOVERNOR.
fsnecia1. 70 .srhe Jersey CITY News,

CASE, SAYS THE GOVERNOR.
Special to The Jersey City News
TRENTON, Mar. 10, 1906. - Governor
E. G. Stokes created quite stir among
the so-ealled Statesmen, legislators and
State notables who were present in the
Executive Chamber last night when he
openly charged Corporation Counsel
George L. Record, of Jersey City, with
having deliberately misrepresented the
provisions of tho proposed Hillery maxi
mum tax rate bill to the citizens of Jer-
sey City and other municipalities in the
State with a political object in view.
Mr.. Record charged that the HilleTy
maximum tax rate was drawn in the in
terests of the railroads, and that it was
designed to save them from paying $120,-
coo in jersey Cjty's treasury which they
would otherwise be compelled to pay if
the Hillery bill was not enacted into a
law.
The Governor charged Nh. Record
with having been fhe sender or respon-
sfble for the sending of the bundle Of
postal cards which he has received from
citizens of Jersey City and other munici-
palities in the State protesting against
the passage of the Hillery bill. The OBJ
lection to the law was that it was bene-
fetal or specially advantageous to the
railroads. This is emphatically denied
by the Governor and in the statement
which he sent out yesterday replying to
the charge, he made use of some pretty
strong language.
The Governor had learned that. the
postal cards had been sent to him by
Mayor Pagan, of Jersey City, upon the
advice of Mr. Record, and that it was
through his influence that such demon
stration was made. 1t was thought. it
was said to-day, that if. the Governor
could be convinced that strong public
protest existed against the passage Of
the Hillery bill. le-the Governor
would withdraw his support of the mea-
sure and thus accomplish its defeat. If
these were the plans of Mayor Pagan
and his advisers. they evidently miscar-
ried, as the Governor is more determined
than. ever that the Hillery bill shall be
come a law.
In making his reply to the senders Of
the postal cards he said he was aware
of the agitation that brought them out
and he gave his reasons for supporting
the measure. The cards were sent to
Mayor Pagan of jersey City ,and by him
sent TO the Governors office.
The Governor, in his reply to the many
cards received, has sent the following
reply:
Il have your favor requesting the re
peal of tne Hillery Tax Law, ! also have
a copy of1the statement sent you, urging
you to send this request to me. If your
opinion has been influenced by the state
ment in question, it is only fair that
you should be undeceived. 1t is hard to
conceive that a statement so full of mis-
representations could be sent out in good
faith.
In this statement you are informed
that the Hillery Law was railroad trick
to lessen their taxes and increase yours
The truth is that the law was conceived
in good faith to reduce the taxes of the
taxpayer and the rentpayer as well, and
to give the voters control over this i'm
portant function of government The
law provides that the voters in any muni
cipality shall have the right to determine
the rate which shall be levied against
them.
s'Mistatement number two consists il
the assertion that the rate in your cit,
is limited under the act to S1.70. The fac
is, there is no limitation Of rate in thu
law applicable to your city. Your board
may impose upon you tax Of S1.70
plus the State School tax, plus tax nee
essary to satisfy any judgments agains
the City. AS the State School tax is q !!
cents on the hundred, your board ma,
levy rate against your property Q
/ $1.9711a. plus an additional rate necessar.
to satisfy judgments. The rate can b
increased BY the votes Of your own citi
zens.
Indeed. the only difference betweel
] the old law and the Hiliery law so fa