such property as was actually used in the operation of the railroad. The act of 1883 not only changes the description of the property exempted, but also, by § 5, above quoted, seems to express a clear intention upon the part of the legislature passing said act to exempt from taxation the land grant of appellant and any other railroad company that might have lands of similar character within the then territory of Dakota’ If the legislature did not intend to create a greater exemption by the law of 1883 than had previously existed under the law of 1879, then it is difficult to perceive the reason for the change of the phraseology of the latter statute from that of the former, and, indeed, to understand why the latter statute was even enacted into a law. The language of the statute of 1883 is much broader in its scope than that of the law of 1879. It excepts from taxation the “capital stock” of railroad companies. The use of this descriptive term shows an intent upon the part of the legislature to exempt all property actually used in railroad operation. All the property of a railroad company devoted to such use is necessarily represented by its “capital stock;” and it has repeatedly been held that where a statute exempts such “capital stock” from taxation this exemption includes all the real estate, rolling stock, and other property actually and necessarily used in the operation of such railroad. Scotland Co. v. Missouri, etc., R. Co., 65 Mo. 123; Railroad Co. v. Shacklett, 30 Mo. 550; Baltimore v. Railroad Co., 6 Gill, 288; Railroad Co. v. Mayor, 14 Ga. 275; New Haven v. City Bank, 31 Conn. 106; Commissioners v. Railroad Co., 47 Md. 592; Bibb Co. v. Banking Oo., 40 Ga. 646; Bank Tax Case, 2 Wall. 200. The statute under consideration, however, goes further. It exempts the “ business transactions” of railroads, and also their “equipment,” “appurtenances,” and “ appendages,” and adds that any other property shall be exempt. It is unnecessary for us to determine whether this broad and comprehensive description of the property that was to be exempt under the law of 1883 includes the land grant of appellant. It is sufficient to say that, whatever doubt may exist upon the point, that doubt is clearly resolved when we consider § 5 of the law, unless, indeed, we eliminate this section altogether from the statute. This, of
Page:North Dakota Reports (vol. 2).pdf/353
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NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD CO. v. BARNES.
327