Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-02

he will not be diverted.
Thanks, gentlemen of the Press-gang.
WEST VIRGINIA's SHARE IN A COM
HANDING ISSUE.
s'rhe most important issue now before
the two political parties is this: The ques,
ton, which OF all the questions they are
called upon 70 decide is OF the closest and
most immediate interest Of the people, Is
whether the present rate Of imports shall
be continued, and q constantly increasing
surplus heapsd up in the treasury to be
sent out again in appropriations for river
and hsrbor bills and other such nstlonAl
expenditures, or whether there shall be
change in the policy of the Government
which shall bring about a reduction in the
tariff and the volume OF internal revenue,
do agay with large and tempting surplus
in the national treasury and leave 10 the
States all plans intended TO forward their
individual welfare. Boston Globe.
We referred to this subject, the other
day, to show how, not only the masses
OF the people, as individuals, were inter-
ested in reduction of internal taxation,
but the States of the Union especially.
West Virginia, for example, is just
now battling with the problem of in
creasing her revenues without incre ~
ing the rate of taxation, in order to
meet the current expenses of Ter State
government.
The last Legislature directed reas-
seSsment of property in order to adjust
and equalize values, and thereby, it is
hoped, obtain q fair and full return
upon all property from which she is en-
titled to revenue.
But even if the most sanguine expe2-
tations are realized, there is no hope
that at the present rate of taxation,
there will ever be any surplus in the
State treasury, after meeting the neces-
sary current expenses of the govern
ment We will be able, at best, only
to make the ends meet. We can
hope for no fund to improve our public
institutions; to contribute to enterprises
for developing the State; to explore and
advertise our natural resources; to build
or help to build railroads. The State is
forbidden To contract debt for such
purposes, and with depleted treasury
at the end of every fiscal year, We are
confined to the routine Of discussing the
annual revenues to meet current liabili-
ties and are without hope of a fund that
would enable the State to take part
itself in fostering internal improve
ments.
The one simple and suggestive way
out of this ruT is to turn the stream
which flows into Uncle Sans Golfers
from this State every year into our own
treasury. We need it, the National
Government does not. We can use it
in legitimate purposes, the National
Government does not. Our State would
grow and flourish with the proper APP
plicatiOn of this revenue at home, while
it derives no perceptible benefit from it
through the National Government.
We have shown, in a former article,
that if the revenue drawn from the
States by the national government tax
on the three articles, spirits, beer and
eorporated in the local tax, there would
be revenue Of 1922, 100000 to be dis
tributed among the States, and West
Virginia's portion Of this sum would be
from two 10 four millions Of dollars per
annum.
That is more money than we derive
from all sources of State taxation COM
bined. 1t is more money than we need
for State purposes. The existing tax on
these articles might be reduced one
halter three-fOurths, and all other taxes
abo 'ished, and still leave US as much
revenue as we now have from all
sources.
Moreover, the heavy Federal tax on
those articles is paid without apparent
hardship. The excise on spirits beer
and tobacco has been steadily paid to
the Federal Government for twenty
years, and yet in all that time there has
been no complaint from the consumers
ofthese articles against its oppressive
ness.
But these three articles, at present,
pay next TO nothing to the State treas
ury. Uncle Sam takes the cream of the
whole business, leaving US to rely upon
taxing our productive property and the
industries to obtain a revenue for State
purposes.
The present Federal tax on spirits,
beer and tobacco Is a wartax., 1t is an
undemOerstie and unpalatable measure
instituted by the Federal government
which could not have received the APP
probation of the people in time Of peace.
II has created y horde Of Federal Office
holders and spies to supervise and inter
fere not only with the business interests |
of the State, but to corrupt and subsi- |
disc the politics and political influences |
10 an extent that has made the whole |
system Odious in the eyes Of this people. |
But to incorporate the tax on these
articles in the State system of revenues
would not perpetuate the offensive Feat
ures Of the system. No Federal officials
would be necessary. The tax would be
collected for the State by State officers,
AS now collected on other articles, and
would go into the State treasury a. tine
property of the whole people, and not
political parry.
These considerations are among the
strongest reasons for the abolition Of a
Federal tax that is both Unnecessary