The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1897-02-03
CHARLESTON, Jan. %, 1897.

CHARLESTON, Jan. %. 1897.
Real estate men are vitality COZ
cerned in measure now pending
in the Legislature, which cannot
but appeal favorably to them.
and which seems generally to bear
the impress of equity. But it in
wolves more than appears upon the
surface and our Legislators should
have their wits about them when it
comes up for mature considera-
ton. AS circumstances are at
present it is probable that large
percentage of the rateable real
estate in West Virginia is taxed on
basis more or less in excess of its
market value, the price it would
bring at an open sale, and this view
of the situation has appealed SO
thoroughly to MAJOR b. A. Ben
nett, member of the House of
Delegates from Cabell county, that
he has introduced bill which pro
yides that the assessed valuation
of real estate, whether town lots or
farm lands, hence all improved
property, shall be reduced to three
ffths of the valuation placed upon
them for 1896, basing his reasons
for such reduction, doubtless, on
tbe acknowledped fact that while
there has been marked decrease
in many directions in the market
value of land, yet there has been
no corresponding decline in
respect of taxation on the same.
Roughly estimated the real es-
tate in West Virginia is assess
ed at s141, 100000; personal prop
erty at s51. 100000, and railroad
property at s22.ooo,ooo. 1t may
be conceded that the relation of
assessment to market value in re-
gard to real estate is hardly fair,
and we find that the total of the
assessment valuation on all kinds
of personal property is 100000,
or $69,OO0,OOO less than that on
real estate. Major Bennett has in
view the adjustment of tax burdens
conformably with market values,
and while his leading idea is pat
emily commendable, yet he has
stumbling block ahead which may
overthrow and meet him, and that
is the enevitable fuctuation. New
ertheless his bill is entitled to as
much, and as considerate attention
as any yet introduced. But far
sighted men only should deal with
it, and how many such are there in
the Legislature?
A liquor dispensary law is be-
fore the House Judiciary Commit
tee for consideration. Ex-senator
John w. Arbuckle. of Greenbrier,
made strong argument before the
Committee, Wednesday, favoring
the law. 1t is said that Senator
Arbuckle drew the bill. 1t is pat
-erned after the South Carolinalaw.
1t is not likely the members will
favor the State going into the
liquor business, and therefore the
bill does not stand a ghost Of a
show in either House.
The discussion of the valued
insurance policy bill has brought
very large number of insurance.
men to the Capital. They all OPP
pose the passage of this bill. To
pass it will drive all the good COM
panies out of the State.
a bill has been introduced in
the Legislature, copy of which.
we have not seen, but as we un-
derstand it, it has something to do
concerning plugging oil and gas
wells. We hope no law viii be
passed that will in any way poster
or annoy oil producers. West
Virginia has proven to be rich in
oil and we want to enact wise laws
that will encourage all the opera
tions possible. 1t takes good
lot of money to open and develop
an oil pool and the producers will
see to it without any legislation.
that abandoned oil wells are prop
erly plugged.
Both Houses are now getting
down to business, and the pros
poets are that good many bills.
both good and bad, viii be passed
ere this session comes to an end.