Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-20
THE PRoPOsED AMENDMENTS TO THE
CONSTITUTION.

CONSTITUTION.
An Able Digest of the Consequences and
Proposed Way out of the Woods with
out Tinkering With the Fundamental
Law.
Editor Of tIs RcgisleT.
With the incoming of our law givers the
exemption issue, which had burned nearly
to ashes in the campaign eonhsgration,
kindles again from is embers and bids fair
to ignite the old slumbering questions.
The point that is in issue is this: Is the
Constitution of the State as it stands in re-
gard to exemptions wise one or should it
be changed in any part? The recent cam.
paign and the assessment issue have
made all acquainted with the Con-
stitution. That Constitution emphst
ically forbids the exemption from
taxation of all property not expressly ex-
copied. The law, eXempting, the products
Of mines, agriculture, wells and manufac-
lures during the year preceding the first
day Of January, containing exceptions not
authorized by the constitution, has been de-
elared of non-etfect. Should our eonstitu-
ton be amended so as to embrace the last
named exeepyions2 Is it better as it stands?
The question is a knotty one; it covers a
field Of difficult finance; il is hard Of solu-
ton. The question has been brought into
the House Of Delegates BY two separate
resolutions Nos. and 3. Both Of these
resolutions desire to increase the number Of
exemptions now In the constitution. No.
desires only one exemption, the produce OF
live stock and agriculture during the year
preceding the first day of January. No.
asks that the produce of live stock agricul-
lures, mines and wells prior to the 6rst day
of June be all excepted. Wisdom requires
that exsmptionsfromt taxation be few; justice
that they be Of benefit to the State;
equity that the exemption OF some should
entail no burthens on others. The Prescriptions
in the present constitution undoubtedly pos
sess the requirements named. Do the pro-
posed amendments possess them? VIII
these amendments entail heavier burthens
on others2 They will Experience has
shown that if these exemptions be made, our
taxable property viii be decreased many
millions Our revenues must proportion
ately decrease, as the rate Of taxation must
be increased. We have lately had recourse
TO the last evil, n % cent rate.
To have recourse to this evil often would be
most unfortunate. MaLy exemptions must
also increase the county levy. These eX-
emptions are personal property. Who owns
personal property of this class? Who are
the recipients of these fayors? The as
SCISSORS books show that they are corpora
tons. companies or wealthy stock growers.
A perusuai of the creditors records shows
conclusive proof that this for the most part
in
wealth. Who paid the revenue
to make up for this exemption
A large portion Of personally being exempt,
the local tax falls on lands, realty. Who
oAps improved lands? For 1t Is improved
land that bears the brunt OF taxation. The
farmer. What industry IS the main stay OF
our State2 The farmers industry. We
have travelled then IN q circle and ind We
are placing burthens on the class We should
most protect. But says surprised
reader, these exemptions are for the and OF
the poor farmer" If they be So they fail OF
their object. The small farmer has
but little personally when tho tax assessor
comes around; be cannot keep 1t tor high
uuiees; his necessities compel him to use 1t
for sustenanee. Wealthy producers alone
can accumulate quantities Of exempt per
sonalty. Wealth, the best able TO support
the State, is thus exempt. A moment oil
reflection viii show that the tax thus saved
the small farmer is but little For this
small saving to our agricultural classes IS 1t
wise to tamper with the constitution! Is It
wise to throw open the door to let wealth
exempt dollar, to labor a cent? To inter
fer with the working OF q constitution Is
dangerous. II the Legislature desire to ex-
empt the produce Of agriculture, there Is an
easy and expeditions way to do so. Let
the property be listed on the FIRST Of June
instead of on the first. Of January. The
farmer by that time viii have disposed Of
al bis agricultural produce, he viii have
nothing he could exempt
A mere act Of the Legislature Will at
once, without expense, without delay, &C
complish all that House Resolution No 2
seeks to.
These constitutional exemptions should
be approached with great care They are
not peculiar subjects 10 this State; they have
formed the subject Of dispute in nearly
every State in the Union, and the shelves of
our State library are loaded with informa-
ton on this subject. In most States, as in
Virginia, these exemptions have been
abandoned. Our constitution, as it stands,
Is in harmony with most of the State Con
situations. The subject involved is of deep
importance; it involves a large portion Of
the revenue; it is Of vital interest to the
State. The Legislature should strike OF
anything Of partisan nature, and should
decide only after careful study and reHee-
ton and fun and impartial debate.
SgNEX.