Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-28
New Subjects for Taxation by tho
state, Counties, and Cities.
Boydton, Va. November "a. lS9

BOydton, Va, November u, loJ''
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
While all of us are anxiously looking
for the Legislature to reduce the expenses
of our State Government. the question
arises: Are there any new subjects OF tax
alton which are not but which should
be reached?
The Supreme Court Of the United states,
In the cases of Pullman Palace-Car Com
pany VS.. Pennsylvania, lh U. s., Is;
Pittsburg Railway Company VS.. Backus'
ISL. U. s., 42s; Western Union Telegraph
Company VS.. Taggard, 163 u. 5. l; Adams
Express Company VS.. Ohio State Auditor,
l65. U. s., 1884, and 166 U. s., 1S5, have de-
cided that a State may tax not only the
tangible property of these great corpora
tons located within the borders or the
state but may tax what may be termed
Intangible property, or a proportionate
part thereof-such as the value OF the
franchises, good will, privileges, etc.-ln
short. all else that makes up the intangl-
bic assets OF said corporations, though
chartered by some other state. 49,.
According to these decisions-say the
Pullman Car Company's capital stock is
$1,000 90, the number of miles or road
over which 1t runs Its cars through all
the States is, say, 1000 miles; OF TINS II
runs its cars in this State, say over loo
miles-that is one tenth Of the whole
number of miles IL runs It's cars In all
the States where 1t conducts its business.
Now, Virginia is entitled TO tax sald
company on 100000. being one tenth or
the value OF it's property, and being Nlr-
ginia's proportion OF the same. on the
same plan Virginia may tax her proper
Tomato part Of the intangible property or
telegraph, express, and other companies
doing business in our state.
Now, as | understand the above de-
cisions, the right of the State so TO tax
is clear and, II so, we have millions OF
dollars OF values on which we may and
should levy tax, and on which these great
corporations have hitherto escaped state
taxation.
II is but Just and fair, as well as
legal, that these corporations should pay
taxes TO Virginia on that part or pro-
portion OF their property Qntangiblel
located. so to speak, in the State, and
not pay, as heretofore, only on the few
articles OF personal property permanently
located in this State.
II the State can so tax she can by a
proper statute give the different cities and
the right TO tax for city. county,
school. and road purposes the proper
tionate part of said intangible assets or
said corporations according TO the num-
cars. wires. etc, in each city or county |
in the State).
/ trust that our lawyer friends In the
next Legislature will examine these de-
cisions closely, and have enacted such |
laws as will cover the case.
| have no prejudice against corporations, |
and would not lay feathers weight on |
them not fair, just. and legal: but, surely, |
as they make their money by conducting |
their profitable business in the different |
States they should be willing to bear with |
all others their part of the burden OF |
our State, county, and NUM- |
cipal governments, which equally protect |
them in their business in the different |
States counties, and cities.
These subjects of taxation in Virginia /
believe will yield at least $4,000 an
nually to our State and tighten the bur-
lens of our taxpayers IN their county |
md city governments, II the Legislature
will but enact a law authorizing such levy
and tax w. f.. HOMES