Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-03-24
Discrimination.

It has always seemed inconsistent for n
State 20 boast of IFS Democratic laws and in.
stitutious when the laws discrininate against
the yocations Of one SGT Of business engage
meuts, aud do not impose burthens on other
professions and etnployments. nm aAnd-
ing particularly to the State License imposed
of $50 per year Is imposed on real estate agents
for selling real estate on commission. Where
as If lawyers sell real estate, they are not
taxed with this onerous burthen; nor do they
paw any professional tax. Why the diserimi-
nation? What sanctity is given to the sale thus
made. by which they are exenpteds The de-
cree of5the Court does not answer tho question
nor that it is cried of by q licensed auctions
leerAaAd. pray, why should the buEinees OF an
auctIoneer be burthened by such tax. rather
than the trustee in deed of trust, who pays
no license taxi And why should the poor ped
dler have TO pay a tax to yend his goods from
his pack. when his n.ore lucrative brother be-
/ hind his counter sells his goods scot FIRE
| Class legislation is denounced by every DEM
| ocrntic platform in the United Statee. but
| Democratic legislators impose in West Vir-
| ginia onerous burthens on classes of her citi-
zens which are often least able to bear It
| The fact Is, no business oughtto be taxed With
license; IL predicates that the business Is
| either against public morals or priv ate rights
And. l answer, il business sininlical TO either
public morals or private rights, that in itself
| b theyery beat reason Why the stan onld
| Withhold her sanction. Which Is but another
j name for license. Surely, IL business b
| against private rights Or public morals, the
/ STATE enOnl0 pTOntDlB TaLu6r IMAM llcenBe Lne
doing of It for pay, as is the case by charging
| people for engaging in one species of employ
ment and not requiring license tax in other
similar vacations. Why should the yender of
sewing machines or musical Instruments be
required to pay o license rather than the ven
der of agricultural mac binery 2 VIII any one
| answer And yet, such is the law. Or why
should a peddler pay the State for the hard
task of tOting pack, in heat and In cold.
which would make mule bend his bacR2-
/ Would not horse racer be more Justly taxed
i for his easy pleasuFable mode of life, or the
princely manufacturer. or merchant prince.
shiP7 And yet, they are not taxed. Ordinar-
\ lily, insurance agents make much more and
easier commissions than do real estate dealers,
and they are not imposed upon by license
tax. Whence this Discrimination in the DEM
| ocratic State of West Virginia? Why these
\ privileged classes where equal Justice to all
and privileges to none IS our protested creed?
| But the reason may be owing to the fact that
it is easier to rob, according to law, than con-
| trary to law; hence. the State imposes fixed
| taxes on some who are humble and helpless.
they were burthened, or even annoyed by
levies on their business. The attention of the
Legislature was called to this discrimination in
our Code, but they did not heed 1t. but directly
Disseminated against real estate dealers. Sec
| Re-assessment law. and Agricultural Commits
siOners. / close this article with one query
Are not all real estate dealers in West Vir-
GINA taxed on all their property. both real and
personal, tho same others Then. why
should they be hurthened with an extra IL
cenac tax for exercising their business voca-
v NJ Frpop