Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-01-16
COMMUNICATED.


Virginia State Grange, and u member
OF the Legislative Committee OF that
organization:
The West Virginia Legislature which meets
the second Wednesday IN January. mas
larger number Of farmers I'm II than usual
and In the main ~ composed Of good repre-
santstive men. The Grange and Alliance are
both represe ted and In legislative matters
there Is no reason why we should not pun To-
neither. We look for some much-needed leg
islation this winter IN the interest OF the
farmers OF this state. Our tar laws need rip
ping up the back.
So Mr.. Atkeson thinks our tax
ia VIZ need ripping up the back" Mr..
Atkeson is right Az to the commis-
sions of the sheriffs for collecting the
taxes. will say but little, and only
remind the people that of the IS cents
for State, aud 10 cents Oh the 800 for
general school fund, levied by the
State officials, the sheriffs get y per
cent for collection, while it costs the
county per cent for the collection Of
county taxes This may not amount
to much for the sheriffs of some eoun-
| ties Of our State where land is only
valued at 90 or rs cents per acre. But
| for Jefferson county, where land is
wheat was % per bushel and other
farm products in proportion, ii will be
readily seen that the Jefferson county
sheriffs have been well paid for their
services, and all will see why the
same ring Of politicians have tried so
hard TO keep in Office and have col
leceed jefferson county's taxes for 10
these tceniy years. But shall not
-, ALL
further than to request our represen-
tatives 10 cross the river into Mary
laud and see now Washington county
collects its taxes. L can't prove tho
truth OF the statement, but have been
told that 2t per cent covers the whole
average cost OF collecting Washing
ton couutys taxes. Why can't West
Virginia do likewise ? But our tax
law III regard TO assessment needs
ripping up the back" Now the
Grange, "tne old and reliable farmers
organization" has been demanding
fair play for the farmers for the last
few years on this very subject OF as
seo,neut OF taxes.
Now We don't wish TO make asser-
tons that are vicious or demands that
are unreasonable, but only ask that
treated as we'll as the bankers, money
lenders, merchants, mine owners, rail-
road maHnaies and Others VINO are
a 10 wed privileges OF exemption from
taxes, that are demanded from the
farinets OF our state. We only ask
that every dollar held or invested in
any business enterprise in West Nir-
giuia be uncovered by law and taxed
which says that all property within
the State shall be taxed ankle. On
the Other hand We ASK that the farm
ers OF our State be granted and not de-
MED she same exemptions from taxes
that are given To merenhutb and 9TH
ers above mentioned. rnat this I'M
just discrimination Is going Oh can be
proven by the following In the Code
Of West Virginia, chapter 20, section
50, We read, in listing credits or i'll
ve.tmens, the party owning the
same may deduct Jnerefrom what he
owes TO Others as principal debtor"
&c. Again i'll chapter ~, section 20,
We read, the wee OF the capital
used by any Individual or Iirm
not Incorporated in any trade or
business taxable by law, shall be as
The assessor snail ascertain from ev-
cry sucn individual or firm or from
some member or agent OF such lirm
carrying Oh auy trade or business, ex-
cept agrilu cure, within his assess
meut district, the actual value OF the
capital employed ny INN or them in
such trade or business" Such person
or firm stall state, first, the actual
amount Of cash capital invested in
such trade or business" &c. Second,
the amount of value of personal prop
erty used in connection with such
trade and business, sc. Fifth,
the amount and ualue Of all debts and
claims arising out oi such trade or
business, deducting there
suoh trade or business, which such
person or i1rm owesas principal debt
err" Now / am compelled to plead
guilty TO being an ignorant farmer,
but il we fariuers have any sense at
all we must see that this law exempts
from taxation the borrowed capital of
any individual or firms engaged in
any other business except agricul
ture." The merchant who borrows
81, 900 and invests it in a stock Of
goods on which he makes 30 per cent
profit and turns the same money over
at least five times in one year, max
ing perhaps 100 per cent on invest
ment, has only to state to the assess
or when he comes around that such
capital - borrowed, and this law eI-
empts him from taxes on his stock in
trade. But how is it with farmer
vino borrows $4,000 and starts to
farming, say in Jefferson county? Is
no relieved from the taxes on his Dor
rowed capital? No. He tugs away |
before day and after night to pay the |
9 per cent interest to the man who !
loaned him the money, and is told |
By the same assessor VINO exempted |
the merchants stock Of goods, thai |
be mast pay nearly It per cent taxes
on his borrowed capital, and that |
there is no law for him in West Vir- /
gina In the same manner any i'll |
dividuai or drm can borrow money /
aud invest in wildcat schemes or in |
any business whatever srcept dgrieA |
tire aud be exempt from taxation to |
the extent to which they are in debt. |
But the man who borrows money to |
buy and settle home for himself and |
family must pay the taxes though the |
mortgage may De already recUrueu AT |
the court house of the county. Be
sides. the farmer can't take in his |
land or hide his stock, but must give !
in 10 the assessor and be taxed. But |
the man who owns notes, bonds or |
any other securities or evidences Of |
debt, can stick said notes, &c, down |
de-p in his pocket and if the assessors
are careless, that man can dodge I Of !
his taxes every incorporating he is |
rascal enough to do it, and very often |
he is. Now on account of this unjust |
discrimination, the West Virginia |
State Grange at its annual session /
held at Marrinsburg, December 10th |
and 11th, 1888, adopted the following
resolution, offered by II. NJ. Turner
ION account OF an unjust law, compelling !
fsrmets 70 pay taxes upon land and other /
property upon which there il mortgage or .
b.. , a De-