The Springdale news., 1906-03-16

exempting certain railroad property from taxatl9n, said that 1t occurred twenty-two years ag and thS was the first time be had ever been criticised for it. Said that when he was elected governor the Iron Mountain and the l Memphis and Little Rock railroads had never pald any taxes, claiming exemption under the terms Of their charters. In his inaugural address he told the legislature he believed both ought to pay taxes and asked that they pass bill requiring them. to do so. The bill was passed in which cer- tain tunnels. stations, etc. were ex- empted, and he did not think this should have been done and did not think SD at the tIme But he never saw the bill and did not know one word in the btil until 1t was presented to him after the legislature adjourned. He had twenty days to sign it or veto 1t, and believing that it was better than none at all be approved it. Suits were instituted the question carried to the United States Supreme Court and for the first time in the history of the state railroads were forced to pay taxes. Said he could have vetoed the bill in a ring. ing message and abused the legis- lature, but during the days when he was governor there was no pulling and baullng among the members Of the legislature and promises of this thing and that thing to get members to vote for the governors bill. When the legislature was ln session he never communicated with them except in official messages as prescribed by the constitution. Had he vetoed the bill Gov. Davis would now be telling the people of Arkansas that Jim Berry was an honest man when be went from his home in Benton County to Little Rock to be gover- nor, and in his inaugural address urged the taxation of railroads. The legis- lature took him at his word and pass ed the bill, but the governor suddenly changed his mind and why the people could guess.
 He said Coy. Davis was trying tC mlslead the people by his assertions that there was now "tOns and tons of gOld" in the state treasury, amount ing to &, 500, 900. He said the people Of the state, who paid the taxes, ought to know the facts in the case. and read the following letter received the day before from State Treasurer Tip ton:
 Little Rock, Ark, March, ., I906- Hon. James H. Berry, Fayetteville. Ark Dear Sir-In reply to yours of the 23rd inst, will say that there WAS in the State Treasury on January l, 1906, the date of my last official report in cash s57l 490 Ii This included gold silver ana currency.
 The , percent funding bonds, amounting to sl. 250. 800, with coupons amounting to S900, 360, were bought in by the State School Board with funds belonging to the University of Arkan- SaS endowment fund and the per manent school fund These bonds, of course belonging to these funds, and when they become due will have t0 be paid or refunded.
 The Jones notes amounting t0 Sl03 9l5 90, represent money borrowed from the swamp land and internal improvement fund This money was bo rrowed from these funds, as You doubtless know, to make full payment Tn the settlement between the State CT Arkansas and the Federal Govern ment. Yours truly.
 II. c. TETON, State Treasurer.
 Senator Berry said he was aYerse to repeating the good things said about him oy others, as he had never found 1t necessary to resort to such methods, but he was going to make an exception here, and read the fol lowing from speech delivered in Fort Smith three years ago by Gov. Davis;
 II feel it no feelsome fiattery upon my part to say to you that Senator Berry is one of God s chosen n0hlemen. that in many ways bis official conduct has always been above criticism He has not gone into any doubtful speculation, he has never invested Tn any securities or private enterprises whose very life depends upon con- gresSional legislation.
 Continuing Senator Berry sad that was after he had cast his vote on the Hatch bill, after he had approved the railroad tax bill, etc. Said that dur ing the same campaign when Gov. Davis was making a speech in bis
 Berry'sl home town of Bentonville, in replying to the criticism that there was combination to elect Clarke over Jones and later on elect Davis to Berry's position, he told his audience that he had no Idea of running against Berry, that he hoped Berry would live hundred years and die in the Senate. But, said Senator Berry, he had nc fault to tind with Dayls be cause he was opposing him, for that was his privilege.