Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-02-12

other SUBJECTS Of TaFation, dc.



I'm She Vest lfgiHia Dem crdt OF ri
day last / noticed an extract from PTirae
letter %! Mr.. Lucas 10 the editor, IN wAlch
he states that it Is absolutely necessary 10
multiply subjects of taxation" and that
Col. Chew in his long-winded Nhereasei,
cut and dried statistics, and omnibus resO-
lutions. did not mean to say that occupa-
ton. and professions should have IL
cense tax levied upon them, but only in
tended to declare that skating Kinks ana
drummeIs should be so taxed, Tor unless you
did that. the rate on " real estate r0Ula hare
10 5e creWcd' Col Chew, in his letter
of explanation to the Editor, says, among
other things. that those who enjoy special
privileges should pay for them Who are
those Who enjoy special privileges What
is the character and kind of special priyl-
lcges they enjoy. We would like TO know.
Are occupations aud professions " spe-
cial privileges? II labor Is q special PRIV
ilece / submit that ii Is already taxed to
the extreme limit OF capability IN lighting
the rauni wolf Poverty not starvation
from the threshold. If professions are 'spe-
cial privileges" then do We know ore az
least. which iab0rs more, in season and out,
bv night and by day, for sweet charity 5
sake" than the mover OF the resolutions eY-
or drcamt Of in his philosophy" In the
same letter Col Chew refers the editor 10
certain clauses Of the Constitution OF west
VIRGINIA regarding the question OF debt, ana
home, the committee of which lac is menu
her will ha, G nerve enough to do It's du-
IT, Nav De il might be As well TO say we
hope the committee Will have sense enough,
ana .4stice enough, 10 declare that, rs 'le
Constitution Inak0s 81 taxation equai,
therefore real estate, as wen rs All ofnef
subjects of taxation, shall bear its ralable
proportion. The question Is not one oil
nerve" but one Of simple and exact justice
To- all men cad cll interests.
I'm this connection we would ssk the at
,crfion of Mr.. Lucas, as well as Col. Che",
m tbe ,,.cplemen.al tax order of Auditor
Miller To- the Assessors, in regard to the EX'
emnt;sp Act of 1881 and Che subsequent lit
io4f;.n and decision of the Supreme Court
of Appeals declaring, in effect ltnot IN lact,
,hat Said Exemption act E2s unc0nstltu-
tional Instead. therefore, OF seeking aer
subjects of xafi0n lex them ask the legisIa-
turc to repeal said n4c9gliutiosai enact
mnt. Again, resolution IS penang DC
/ fore cOmmlttct, asking lldt ZIG tlH'O Va
assessing property be changed from Janua-
rv it, rs is the law now, to April lst. The
State of West Virginia is largely a grazing
Stsfa-caitle constituting ao SNAIL proper
ton of .a wcaith Now, If the lay IN re-
gard TO the time at assessment be changed
/ from january to April, nearly u pot quite
I all. the fat cattle will have been marketed,
aal thus the State will be deprived OF con-
siderable amount Of revenue to which II Is
entitled under tee les ct present IN exist
ence and. as q matter OF course, the den
cheney viii have to be supplied by "ner
subject, OF taxation or increased rates up
on real estate We, therefore, think that
/ 70 vo.ia Dr. better If the legislature should
repeal ODE uAcoas additional Exemption Act.
refuse 90 change the assessment law, and
then. after taking bearings east about ior
new subjects of taxation, skating Kinks
aud 'Jrammcrs." And further, we would
respectfully cab The attention Of the legisla-
ugo % Che pfopneiy ana eminent fitness OF
leyying rfopef license upon ire, Ate,. and
other insurance companies doing business
I'm our state. SGT lQN