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THE WILMINGTON DEMOCRAT )■ The Only Democratic Newspaper Published in Wilmington WILMINGTON! DELvWARL SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1901. PRICE TWO CENTS VOi,. 3, NO. 2 I The State Defrauded of Revenue THE PROOF IN THE CASE OF THE PHILADELPHIA,, WIL MINGTON AND BALTIMORE RAILROAD COMPANY. We said last week that this railroad ought to be paying the state $122,000, while it only pays $40 000; making a loss to the state each year of $8a,oco. [864 the Delaware Legislature placed a capitation tax on railroads ol ten ptr cent, per passenger. In the twelve months beginning with December 1864 and ending November 1865, the P. W. & B. R. R. Co. actually paio to the slate Ihe sum of $toi, 7244 >. What would that tax produce now i( In honestly collected ? In 1869 it placera tax on railroads of ten per cent, on their net earnings ar.d one half of one per cent, on the market value oi-their capital stock. The United S ates Supreme Court up held this law alter the P. W & B. R R Co. had fought it until the court of last resoit decided against the railroad. In 1873 this railroad jumped at the chance, (and presumably worked the Legislature to get the chance) to com these taxes "until otherwise promise directed by law" for the sum of $41,000 per annum. _ What ought this railroad to pay the sta'e now, even on this basis oi com promise ? The business of the railroad in 1871 compared with the last yeat'fc furnishes this comparison ; Passengers carried in 187t, 1,608,033; in 1899, 8,465 523 (On whole system ) Tons ol freight hauled in 1871, 348.2t6; in 1899, 8,193742 (On whote system.) Gross earnings in 1871, $2,678,865 c6; in ifk)9. $5059,167.11. Net earnings, less ppera'inv » xpe.nsesin _)87(, » 1 .<69 "'V 7 °l in 1899, ^1,635929.08. Amount ofVTpital stock outstanding, at par in 1S71,10997 - 900; in 1899,, $11,819,350. If the capitation tax in 1864 was $101, 624.40 what would it be now ? II the railroad company wotked f.r and jumped at a chance to compromise its taxes for $40,000 in 1873, what ought it to pay now ? Let's try to figure it out ; The proportion of the line of the P. W. & B. Railroad in the state of Dela ware is approximately twenty-five per cent, or one quarter ot the whole line. Oae-tourth its net earnings were in (871, $267,485; in 1899, $408,982. One-fourth the maiket value of its capital stock was in 1871, at $50, $2,249, 475; ia 1899, at $75; $4,432. 25 6 - Its capitation tax in 1864 was in round figures $ioo,oto. We can only guess what it would be now. Suppose we cut that amount down to only $60,000. The railroad company cannot complain that is unfair treatment. The par of the P. W. & B. R. R. Co. s ock is $50 and the maiket value is $75 per share, while practically it can hardly e /er be bought at that price, and the Pennsylvania Railroad Company holds the cor trol. This then is what the company ought to be paying to the state according to a moderate calculation : loti on X its net earnings,.. $ 40,892 )4 of 1% on X°f the maiket value of its stock. Capitation tax only guessed at 22,161 60,000 $ 123.053 Total tax ought to pay . Annual payment actually made . 40,000 See what the state is losing.. $ 83,053 Now "What are you going to do about it?" That's the question Boss Tweed asked; that's the question the Railroad Boss of Delaware dares the newspapers to talk about, and if they do so—no m >re free transportation. Take the case of the P. W & B, R. R. from another point of view : Put it on the same basis of taxation as any honest and industrious mechanic in Wilmington who owns the little house he lives in, worth say $iooo. What tax does he pay ? Why 50 cents on the $100 to the county and $1.50 on the $iod to the dty, or a total of $20 per annum. Now take the railroad. Its balance sheet of October 31st, 1899, showed it -possessing property worth $24,591 270.8S One lourth ofthat great amount is $6,147, 817.72. That amount represents the prayo-i'»'! of the railroad in Delaware. It certainly ought to be taxed as much as the mechanic's house. If it paid taxes at the same rate the state would get rot $40,000 but $122,956.35, or just about what we figured out above under existing laws. Why is the W.lmington mechanic who can't get special acts of the Legislature passed for his benefit, discriminated against in favor of the railroad whose business is created by law. What will the people do ? The Legislature is in session—let the members answer. " Have we proved the case against the P. W. & B. R. R. Co. in favor of our Mechanics and Manufacturers? The case of the Delaware Railroad Company comes up next week. Local News and Comment Ex-Levy Court Commissioner Harry M. White, is wearing a happy smile again, we suppose that the old political tide is drifting his way. If you want to get good returns for your advertising use the columns of The Democrat. Who will be our next candidate for mayor ? . The stock holders of the Hartmann and Fehrenbach Brewing Company held their monthly meeting last Thursday. The new city charter is a good one and should meet with the approval of all good citizens. Do not forget to read our articles on the merchants and manufacturer tax. There is plenty of time for our law makers to help the state and repeal all laws against the merchant and manufac turers' interest. Manager Jesse K. Baylis, of the Grand Opera House, has been indisposed for | some Cme but hé^rrïS^soon be around' again. Chief of Police Eugene Massey lias so far made a very efficient officer and has given general satisfaction to the citizens of Wilmington. Advertise in The Wilmington Demo crat» John D. Kelley, proprietor of the Logan House, seems lost since his old kicker fell iu the hands of our peace guardians. Some of Kelley's friends says that there has not been a kick around Hotel DeKelley since long ears wandered from his own stable yard. Why don't the Every Evening help us to save the State Revenue ? Well, the boys have passes and the owner is a director of-the railroad. So they »ay. Why will our merchants advertise in the railroad newspapers when they will not help to relieve them of taxatk n ? Think of it, meichants. We are trying to help you. Give us an ad. The Harlan aud Hollingsworth Com pany shipyards present a lively appear ance, also the Pusey and Jones Company. Third street bridge repairs is progress ing slowly and causes a great deal of delay to the street car travel, aud there is no end to complaints. •it* The burned building of F. A. Mitchell will soon be toru down to the foundation walls, and when the new building is complete he will have one of the finest in this city of that kind. The Ferris Reform School inmates finished last Monday putting in oue hundred tons of ice. extra help employed. TSere was no 1 he Cleai field Repub'ican, one of the strongest and best Democratic weeklies in the state, has been sold by Owen & Short to the Clearfield Pub lishing company. George M. Bigler, a prominent member of the Clearfield county bar, is the new editor. George E. Owens, who has so ably conducted the paper for the last four years, will continue to contribute to its columns, at least for a while. He is now in Harrisburg to report the legislative proceedings for city papers. Under its new management The Republie: n will continue to advocate Democratic principles. I IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE. Don't fail to show this papjr to your Republican fiiends who knov members of the Legislature. Republicans and Democrat' alike interested in relieving our me: hants and manufacturers; get them to write their j members what they think of i te platform I "Repeal taxes on merchants nd manu- 1 facturers." Make the railroads pay their just taxes. are •* We understand ihe P< nnsylvania Railroad Company is trying Ho kill o'T the steamboat line betwee - Frederica and Philadelphia. Representative Hardtsty aid his con stituents know all the facts'? What do they think of the pialfotm ? , 1 Repeal the taxes which b irden down our merchants and roanuhnurers and make the railroads pay their ust taxes. That is our platform; here ■* no special politics in it, just p!ai ; L justice. A Democratic friend wan f us not to give out pointers on this Rdlioad Tax matter because the Addick ' is in the Legislature will take it up aril make lie railroads pay fair taxes and yrus get the benefit of it for their party. We can't see it that » ay. Simple justice to our oppressed merchants, manufacturers and fanners is what we want, and we believe if the knowledge and appreciation of the facts can be mace clear to Democrats they will.be on y tco glad to right the wrong and .hare in the applause the people of this give. state will The Smyrna steamboats .have given cheaper grain rates to j^iladelphia. Senator Clements and Rdt M .ore, Hutchinson, Wright) and their constituents knv< entail ves (ï-Scotten he tacts What has the railroad donelJ break down water freights ? What will you do about i' l 3 ' How do you like our i#» I'm—"Rt peal the tîixes on merchant-Maiid manu facturers and make „the à&roads pay their just taxes.'' | fiîeTîîlawaie .»i duced the wages ot its sec^l maintenance of way men * * t 1 hands and ho have no Union. The men struck. ;In less than sixty days the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which owns and j operates the Delaware Railroad, paid a!n extra divi dend. 01127 na I m,ig(.w I » 402 , 792.91 RAILWAY NEWS. Dover, Jan. 10 .—The FoTty-oiinth con secutive annual meeting of tho consoli dated Delaware railroad Company, was held at he offices of the company at the depot here at noon to-day. The report of the direi tors submit ted makes the following showing for the year ending October sjl, 1900 . Total mileage, 224.38 GENERAL* INCREASE JACCOUNT. Earnings: Freight ... Passenger Malls, express, etc_ 100,183.97 ilas. l 1899 . .$1,101.434.16 »896,833.92 444,422.21 404,576.44 Gross earnings ...»1,646,86(1.34 »1,391,536.46 | Increase— »286,123.88. Expenses: Total 1900. operating penses .>1,112.44' .9: Increase— »265,123.88. »988.743.52 19/ Net earnings ..»534.21o.37 Increase— »131,426.43. 1899 !.-• Net increase . »430,540.72 »332,390.16 Increase— »98,150.66. After deducting amount transferred to extraordinary expenditure fund, the report shows that there was trans ferred to the profit and loss credit, » 11 , 313.22 as against $G 3 , 162.66 trans ferred to the same credit, in 1899 , an increase of $ 98 , 160 . 66 , and 1 the total balance now to the credit of profit and loss ls $ 898 , 206 . 41 . New passenger stations were built during the year at Fairmlhgton, Towns end and Brldgeville. The trln mileage freight and passenger, during the year was 1 . 057,670 miles, an increase of 36.884 miles. The general balance sheet shows as sets to be $ 5 , 621 , 569 . 72 , an Increase of * 278 , 083.32 over 1899 . Liabilities, $ 5 , 621 . 569 . 72 . Sinking fund No. 1 ., receipts were $ 13 , 939 . 69 ; expenditures. * 13 , 752 . 50 . No. 2 .. receipts, * 19 , 770 . 29 ; expendi tures, * 19 , 387 . 07 . The meeting was followed by a ban quet at Hotel Richardson. Forty were present at the meeting. The only change In the hoard of di rctors was the election of Walter O. Hoffecker for John H. Hoffecker. H. F. Kenney was elected president; E. Tatnall Warner, Manlove Hayee. secretary and treas urer. All were re-elected. A banquet followed at the Hotel Richardson. vice president; THIS DOG BELIEVES IN EXPANSION. New Castle, Jan. 10 .—Seventy chick ens in the coops of Joseph Murray, John King and Mrs. Mary Kirkhead, were killed by a dog some time Monday night. In the coop of Mr. Murray every chicken was killed. Should the dog resume its death dealing mission any time in the future the animal will Be dealt with mose severely, for every chicken! owner in the city has a loaded run or revolver in waiting for tho beast. THE DEMOCRATIC DUTY. Forces Must Combine and Con solidate. 0ABBOT BET ABIDE PEINOIPLES. Question of Leadership Is of Least Importance and Will Bo Decided by the Voters—Test of Party Mem bership—Fealty to Platform and Candidates. - There have been several ebullitions from Princeton, and there have been speeches delivered in Lincoln!' all of which mnst stand for the Importance the Democratic votera of tho country may choose to give them, says the At lanta Constitution. The battle for Democratic leadership .Will »of course run along with the ef forts of the Democratic voters to .place themselves where they can be most ef fective. The voters have been balked by defeat, but wherever a compact mass of 0 , 300,000 men is to be found, coming within a fraction of being the majority, tho majority for the time be ing will be uneasy, while men who snt upon the fence, as well as those who fought In the ranks, will hasten to get withlu the limits of probable success. The man who sleeps in battle receives the same treatment in court martini with the one who deserts, military law recognizing no difference In conditions. It Is not often that a draft Is made upon the enemy for a leader or that the one who furnished aid and com fort to the enemy Is exalted above the men In the trenches. There are today two sets of men in the country—the defeated Democratic hosts, haggard with loss of blood and not yet recover ed in spirit. Their depression of feel ing Is honorable to them, since It has come as the result of a good fight and marks the political party as wounds do a soldier. The other class is form ed of thebnemy and of the opportunist, the one fought us openly and the other screaming out the derisive taunt of "1 told you so." Very well, l^Jjthnt be the extent of their service. The taunt may be unpleasant, but it neither disposes 'the fighter to surrender nor Improves his opinion of the dodger. As »£. Bryau has declarecL Demo cratlc principles still live. TriedTTr tTTÇ battle, true to his party, he Is entitled to all the honor accorded by tradition to be nominated chief of the party. Another, who was not found where fidelity and gratitude demanded that he should be, sententlously says, "Give the rank and file a chance." riaelng these two exponents side by side for the present purpose, their expressions amount to the same thing in effect. Democratic principles cannot be set aside by opportunists, but In the hands of the rank and file they will he up held on every proper occasion. The defeated nominee for the governorship of Indiana speaks for the Democracy of his stale, and In the same spirit will the answer come from all along the red line marking the conflict of oppos ing forces. But there Is one point which would be well to keep in mind, I nna that ls the D <t moc,ntlc llm ' ls now I aI1 flle The rank stau ,i s wide open Whether those who have heretofore Btood In the favored places shall continue to do so depends altogether upon the will of the file. This brings us to the point which we desire so much to emphasize. form of government every popular movement is from the ground floor up. The file is on the ground floor, and it is composed of the men who have sup ported the party action. It matters not that they may have differed In policy; that some would have preferred one course nnd some another. The test is the deposited ballot. In every state this file will move In its own way. a unit upon basic Democratic principles, but divergent more or less upon tem porary or current Issues. By and by these leaders will be called into nation al convention, to which they must bring their works ns the best claim to a hearing. There an agreement must be reached in which all cannot be suc Sorue men must surrender | tor promotion. Under our , cessful. cherished opinions for the public good, but the sacrifice will be on the altar of party for the good of tlie country which enn best be served by that party. In 1802 tbe Democratic presidential candidate, in a letter to tbe editor of The Constitution, claimed as bis right the personal support and vote of every Democrat, notwithstanding their oppo sition to his financial views. The claim made by him was that the party had acted nnd that the success of tlie gen eral principles of the party was of more importance than the success or the de feat of some personal view held by the candidate. Answering this appeal to party loyalty, the Democracy of states Intensely free silver in tone voted for Mr. Cleveland and elected him. The fact that Mr. Cleveland In the election following failed to stand by his own declarations as to what constituted pap ty loyalty Is his personal misfortune and does not affect the principle at is Be BUG There will be another movement among the Democratic hosts.In which Democratic principles will lind expres sion in language best suited to the par toe couTÏJétlée or* the' fflSSBea will tie called Into leadership. That the views so expressed will he to the liking of cv ery voter Is a mental as well as a phys ical impossibility, but It will be the du ty of all Democrats to stand by the platform and the nominees, whether such act brings victory or defeat. The battle of consolidation and of education-Is the Democratic duty, and the file will see to it that. it is carried on. LOSING Hla SEfi LEGS. Mr. Ilnnna la fils Anfter Has Drop • ped His Sheep's Clothing, Mr. Hanna caused himself to be re ported as saying that the lobby Is on the side of the ship subsidy bill op posed to him, and that he wishes that bill to go through the senate on Its merits, says the Kansas City Times. He expressly- names the owners of foreign steamship lines us opponents of the bill. This is partly true only, like all else advanced in Its favor. With the ship subsidy bill a law Mr. Hanna would direct, through middle men, the purchase or charter of every English steam tank now lying up In the estuaries of that Island, holding the chartered ones at a certain rate that would give him all the fat oft the sub sidy. Tills done, he and his railroad al lies would cover the north passage with these hulks, all filled with freight and, having limited passenger accommoda tions In conjunction with the transcon tinental roads, hold a veritable clncli on passenger and freight trafiic for 20 years at an enormous gain on the cost of chartered or purchased ships- These ships would cut Into steerage nnd sec ond cnbln fares enough to take profit out of that service as now performed by the regular mall and passeuger lines, and so they oppose it-a very natural thing for them to do. Thus far Mr. Hanna is right, but who will admit that the opposition of foreign stenmship owners Is a good reason for voting $200,000,000 into the pockets of native steamship owners? If anything were needed to prove the unmitigated cheek of Mr. Hanna, it is found In his daring threat to cause n special session of congress to pass his pet moasiin* iu case It falls during the present session. What a reflection this is upon Mr. McKinley, who must call this extra session If there is to be one! Is It not fair to assume that all this shameful scheme is intended as a means to repay campaign subscrip tions? Is *' not fair to assume that - hfnryus -Aui^v.uiiUc* A." sees the everlasting dingbats knocked out of his scheme by popular Indigna tion, Is losing his sea legs and becom ing "gnllled" and Is dropping the sheep's clothing in his anger? Is it not true that Mr. Nautical Hanna has bur dened the people enough for one ses sion and that he and his robber scheme should be squelched? a to AMERICANS INSULTED. Taft Commission Appoints llshinan to Govern Ben Knot. It is certainly deplorable that the Taft commission for the establishment of a civil government in the Philip pines should have considered Itself re duced to the necessity of appointing as governor of the province of Beuguet, under tho American flag, a subject of Great Britain rather than a citizen of these United States, says the St. Louis Republic. The logic of this action, even dis missing Its unhappy slgulflcnuce in oth er respects from our consideration. Is depressing to the American miud. If there are no American citizens capable of intelligently performing the duties of the governorship of Benguct, there are no American citizens capable of governing the remaining Philippine provinces. If British colonial experi ence was found necessary to the proper management of the affairs of this prov ince, the same experience will he nec essary throughout our civil administra tion of Philippine affairs. We must, it seems, trust to the superior intelligence of men whose allegiance is pledged to the union Jack, praying that they may be inclined to faithfully serve Old Glory until we can develop an Ameri can Intelligence equal to such service. The American people will not agree with tlie Taft commission on this Is sue. They are disposed to believe that If we must govern the Philippines we can best govern them through the me dium of American service—the service of American men Imbued with the American spirit. They will fall to see the wisdom of appointing the English man Whitmnrsh to an important ad ministrative post where the dignity and honor of the American government are vitally concerned. The Taft commis sion Is not Justified In its coutempt for American intelligence. It has allowed its administration Toryism to overcome its American patriotism. F. na to Nnraerj of Dividend*. The shipping subsidy hill is not for the crew, but for the owner. It will not serve as a nursery of seamen; It will be n nursery of dividends for ves, sol owning companies.—Chicago Trib une (Rep.). • ill OJill O'to. *nd G,» .. If Griggs bad arguvd.ak-'Mfwogtyn^l^^j against trusts as 1>4 to*. to.,** 0Wi£i •S°- - -*ttO*gTO 9dl THE SPORTING WORLD. Great satisfaction has been express ed at the decision of the syndicate that Is building the new America's cup de fender for the New York Yacht club that Captain Uriah Rhodes has been chosen to command the new boat. Cap tain Rhodes came Into prominence while sailing the yacht l>pfendeg,when she acted as a trial boat for the Colum bia . He displayed such a knowledge of seamanship and so many goon qual ities that It was unanimously voteeL$o put him In charge of the new boatir Captain Rhodes lias been skipper of several well known yachts. Six years ago he Bailed the famous racing schein m I IP / ■ 1 ! W \ WEM Mb, V \\ \ ' l 'vy CAPTAIN URIAH RHODES, er Lasea when Mr. John E. Brooks took that vessel across the ocean. Last season he was In command of the schooner Emerald, owned by Mr. W. E. Iselln. Rhodes was horn and bred on Long Island and knows the Sandy Hook course like a book. He is still in the prime of life, alert and cool beaded and possesses the nerve that Is neces sary In a cup defender skipper. Pan-American Sport». One of the features of the Pan-Amer ican exhibition, to be held In Buffalo next Bummer, will lie a carnival of sports, embracing all forms of athletic_ competitions. For this purpose an im mense arena has been erected. It cov ers nearly ten acres of ground and has a sealing capacity of 12 , 000 . The com mittee In charge of the contests Is ar ranging an elaborate programme. Th? astute of tho sports win bo varied. Amateur athletics will be strongly encouraged, and college sports will be made a special feature. Pro fessional events will be appropriately featured, and tbo foremost representa tives will participate. The character of the prizes that will bo offered has not yet been definitely determined upon, but assurance ls given that they will be of value as souvenirs of suc cess at the exposition. The national game of basebaU, which Is quite as popular Iu Canada as In the United States, will receive the consid eration due It. There will be profes sional and amateur college games be tween representative teams of North America. The Marathon race, which was the principal attraction at the Olympian guinea four years ago and again in 1000 at the Paris exposition, is planned, the start nnd fiuisli to he in the stadium. The game of lacrosse, which Is ex tremely popular In Canada and becom ing so in tiie United States aud else where, will he played by the strongest teams. The celebrated Caledonian games will he seen, and the popular German diversion of turning will he a feature. In the fall there will be exciting foot ball matches, participated In by the best college teams. There will be cross country runs, wltb finishes In the stadium; cycling, basket hall, roque, sheeting, gymnas tics, military maneuvers, cricket, bowl ing aud other sports. Two days will be devoted to world's championships. "Ken Blow»" In PnKlllsm. The talk of "new blows" iu pugilism will not cease. The latest ls a "scissors punch" to ho used by Ruhlln on Jef fries. McCoy's "corkscrew punch" was so thoroughly exploited that many per sons really believed that there was such a blow. Frequently fighters In training say that they have Invented new blows, and they go into details about them too. But Fitzsimmons ex ploded the whole business Inst summer when he said that Inventing new blows was all bosh. "When yon are In a fight," said FItz, "you have got to punch a fellow good and hard. If he hits you a crack on the jaw, you have no time to think about fancy movements or tricks, but you have got to sail right in and fight the best you knoW hbW. If you see an opening for m solid smash, either in the body or on the jieqq, Jet your hands go In for, all you are worth. That's tho way I believe In doing business, aud I tove found' It very effective." isqrqaw :n ? ; M ! 6)— i!ir.>orrl»»)T«**ajf«tf^! Expense. ueb legal right to general as Con * 1 Ä Flu* had to be retired as 0Wi£i ÄT- jca*tel<t,liato IP as«loii und char tolLf* seul, 7 Ol tiw btf. i