New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-10


such action as Will shield 1t from any sus-
melon of corrupt influence. Discussing the cor
ruption of the ballot the Governor says that ne
would amend the bribery laws by limiting the
penalties for their violation to disfranchisement
for term of years, according TO the number Oh
the offences committed, and that the lnformer
should be exempt from punishment Ii Is also
pointed out that anti-bribery laws, to be enec-
tive must cover all ways in which money can
be used to seduce the Observation-Disclosures,
equipping clubs, etc. The publication OF elec-
ton expenses is also recommended
What the Governor has to say about the So
called Hiliery Maximum Tax law will hardly
remove the suspicion with which that act is re-
garded. theoretically the law is designed to
let municipal voters pass upon the tax rate.
Practically it has always been regarded as
shield to prevent any increase in railroad TAXA
ton. When the valuations and the rate are
both fixed by the local assessors such law as
the Hillery act may be welcomed. At present II
must inevitably work inequitably, because 1t
tends to protect railroad companies at the ex-
pense of other property owners.
Governor Stokes deals frankly with the gen
eraI question of railroad taxation. He lays down
the unassailable proposition that railroads
should pay the same proportion OF taxes as is
paid by other property no more, no less and
approyingly quotes the late Governor Albeit
Equal burdens and equal rights for all, corpo-
"rations as well as individuals, are the pr1n-
"ciples that should control our tax legislation
Getting down to details the Governor recites the
familiar objections to local assessment and taxa
ton of the main stem. He contends that this is
q class of railroad property particularly fitted
to be set aside for taxation by the state. After
arguing that it belongs to no one city or county
and derives its value and patronage from the
xE0 tn%N &c ID fox
it. then the application of the average tax rate
of the state would seem to be logical and to
comply fully with the requirements of equal
taxation. 1t is pointed out that this is the
method adopted by Michigan and Wisconsin
Governor Stokes takes fairly advanced ground
on Limited franchises" His ideas may be IN
derstood by this excerpt:
The passage of a law limiting the right Of the
governing board of municipalities to grant pubic
franchises for longer period than tWenty-nVe
years would not only protect the rights OF future
generations, enable readjustment OF terms &C
cording to conditions at the end OF this perlou
but would eliminate the opportunity to grant
concessions other than upon strictly business
conditions That this limitation may not restricI
enterprises or arrest progress IN the rural as
tricts it might be provided that any ordnance
granting a franchise for longer period than
Twenty-Five years should be submitted to a vote
of the people. with a limitation as to maximum
term OF years.
Provision should be MADE Tor puphclly IN tne
granting of franchises, both with regard to the
proper advertising Of applications and the pre-
venting of undue haste in the passage of ordi-
nances for such purposes.
These principles are equally sound for all pub
lie utility franchises for whatever purpose
granted.
Not quite so clear or definite is the Governor
regarding the best system for taxing franchises.
He favors law basing the tax upon the gross
receipts, but thinks it should be graded up to a
reasonable maximum and suggests that "a plan
for the division of dividends declared by public
utility corporations in excess of reasonable
amount is well worthy Of the consideration of
1.-THE legislature" and he recommends the crea-
ton of commission to go into the subject
carefully.
On the whole, the message is one of the most
suggestive state papers that New-Jersey has had
in many years.