Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-03-19
A RESPONSE
From Hon. Jos. Bell to Hon J. VI. Mason.
To tie Editor Of he Register.

From Hon. Jos. Bell to Hon. J. VI. Mason.
To the Editor Of he Register.
Ny short card, printed in your paper
some ten days ago, and intended 10 correct
a possible impression that | had something
to do with the framing OF the notorious, or
more properly, infamous Senate Bill No.
ll9, has been made the occasion Of an arti-
Gle nom the pen Of Mr.. Mason which aP-
peared in your ssue of Saturday last. In
this article, while taking the opportunity to
again get before your readers his peculiar
AID extreme views and arguments or the
tax Ouestion, be makes frequent mention Of
nv name, and in addition addresses me an
earnest invocation which the very pleasant
personal relations existing between US will
not allow me to disregard.
/ am desired TO reply, and asked to deal
frankly. Overlooking the rather offensive
~imputation conveyed in the language Of the
latter request. l will say that | agree with
Mr.. Mason that the tax question should Oe
kept clear OF politics" also that it is
almost criminal TO" "distort the facts in
order TO manufacture party capital" Nov
who has done, or is doiug these things? Ii
seems to me that Mr.. Mason is the man.
His education and practice as a lawyer have
developed in him an especial skill In the
invention OF issues which have no e~Xistauce,
and in the misstatement and distortions of
facts. Before q high court he might be
repIimaLded and called to account here we
can DO no more than point out some ofthese
n, enrions aud distortions, and would cite
as an instance that the mere fact
of Senator Dawson and myself being known
as Republicans and being opposed to his
ideas concerning taxation is sufficient basis
tor him in ascrioiDg to US the meanes Of
mouves He charges US with desiring ITO
prostitute the taxing power OF the State IN
order ITO foster private money making en-
terpriSes,' and such enterprises as may be
able 10 influence legislation
In answer to this charge | say that am
not aware OF any private money making en-
terpriSe seeking TO influence legislation; IN
less it be the one in which Mr.. Mason is
said to be himself interested: He has had,
and for aught | know to the contrary, still
has large private interests of his own and
in his charge, which interests depend for
their value upon the tax legislation Of this
State.
This circumstance causes q suspicion that
the whole cry tor tax legislation Is merely q
Job designed TO further these interests.
Mr. Dawson and myself are contrasted
with Messrs. MeCreery, Byrne and Mason,
who are Democrats. These gentlemen
favor Mr.. Masons recommendations aud ara
represented as opposed to fostering private
money making enterprises, and as standing
by the constitution.
At the came time the usual d~emagogicsl
appeal is addressed 10 the farmer, and he
is told that it ia largely his interest 10
abolish the unconstitutional exemptions"
1t must be conceded that Mr.. Mason dis
forts bis facts, invents his issues and makes
his misstatements with great ingenuity.
The hasty reader easily accepts what is so
confidently put forward as gospel. Critical
examination proves it to be fiction.
/ sm called upon TO lame specifically the
odioUs features Of this tax bill. In reply, |
place in that class
First-That feature which requires stocks
ard shares 10 be assessed tor taxation see
page % Of subcommittee bill while the
property which constitutes these stocks and
shares is also assessed for taxation.
Second-The repeated taxation of the
same property, amounting to its practical
COnusCblAOu, CAOsSu Ol Tue dSScoSLhSuh VI
all notes and other credits without allowing
the deduction OF debts.
1hiIG-TIe feature viii h allows the
as ssor 10 place values upon the invisible
pro, erty of the u xpsyer, giving the latter
ho voice practically in the case.
Fourth-And most odious of ell iS'that
feature which would invade the privacy of
the taxpayers affairs The independence
of q frt emau revolis, ard no one worthy Of
the name viii willingly submit 10 il.
Mr.. Mason further asks me to state
(which odious feature was advocated by
him.
To this I snswer that / was not present at
any of the committee meetings when theim-
portant provisions Of the bill were eousid-
cred, and am ignorant of what Mr.. Mason
advocated on these occasions; but | can say
hat eyery one of these odious features is
recommended and urged in the strongest
language in the various reports written By
him as tax commissioner, and moreover the
personal property lists in which these odious
features are tut forward are copied word
for word from his final reForG
In addition to the features OF the oll