Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-11-23
The Proposed amendment to the State
Constitution.
BY G. W. z. BLACK.

Al the last session of the legislature 8
joint committee was appointed to prepare
and report such amendments TO the Can.
stitution Of the State rs might in theil
Judgment be wise aud expcdient. Hon
R. E. Fast, OF Mergautown. was chosen
chairman and as such he prepared and
published report nf tho lnhnrs rrrfnr1
ed by the COMMITTEES, together with rec
concentration as TO the changes deemed
advisable. Governor Atkinson, exercia-
ing the discrt ton vested IN him as ciiiel
executive. did not take any steps which
would result in the ratification of the
work of this committee but it is hoped
that the matter will not be permitted 10
drop but that the proposed changes may
yet be effected.
The people of Jefferson county are
deeply interested in this matter mas
much as the adoption of the amendments
proposed cannot but result in reduced
taxes aud lighter public burdens.
Among the important changes suggest
ed is one giving the legislature power to
to enact registration law, thing which
is at present prohibited. 1t cannot be
denied that experience in other States has
shown that an efficient registration of
voters not only conduces to fair elections
but that it prevents many disputes which
otherwise arise on election day. 1t pre-
vents the colonization of voters and shuts
out non residents more efIectually than
is possible under the method which at
present prevails in this State.
Another important feature is that
which requires the Secretary of State and
the State Auditor to turn into the treas
ury of the State the fees received for the
performance of their duties az servants Of
the public 1t is shown from the records
of these offices that the incumbents there
of receive annually about $4,000 each, q
sum certainly far in excess of what is fair
and reasonable. The public should al
ways cheerGully pay their servants fair
compensation but it is unfair and unjust
that the official of the State should use
his Office to enrich himself The com
mite. estimate that the proposed change
in this section of the Constitution will
alone save the taxpayers the sum of S22,-
600 each year.
The change 10 the Judicial system is
confined in great measure to the Supreme
Court of Appeals, in which an increase of
one tudsv - coon M ended and the term
fixed at ten years, one member of the
Court to be elected every two years, but
none of the present judges are legislated
out of Office, nor is there any change in
regard to salary.
The committee stated that a widespread
demand exists for the abolition of the fee
system and the substitution thereof of
fixed salaries for all county officials
That this change would be beneficial to
all parties concerned cannot be doubted.
The fee system is fast becoming obsolete
and there is absolutely no reason why it
should be retained in West Virginia.
When the people elect one of their num-
Der to serve them in an official capacity
it is much more satisfactory that his
compensation be fixed at certain sum
than that it should be an uncertain guam
tity, liable to increase or diminish ac-
cording to circumstances. The public
business should be conducted with the
sole view of securing faithful service and
for that service fair and reasonable sal
airy should be paid, thus securing worthy
officials against the uncertainties which
must always attend the fee system.
Probably the most important change
recommended by the committee is that in
regard to the method of taxation. 1t is
proposed that in the taxation of real es-
tate there shall be deducted therefrom
the amount of any liens or membranes
which may exist thereon and which we're
coded through the purchase or acquisi-
ton OF the property. This would prove
of great benefit to the farming communi-
ty and would remove many burdens now
uniustly imposed.
1t is also proposed to give the legisla
ture power to tax by uniform laws all
classes of business, including privilege
and franchises enjoyed by persons and
corporations. The Incorporation of such
a provision into the Constitution of The
State would serve to equalize the public
burdens aud greatly relieve the produc
ing classes from the oppressive burdeni
now borne by them. That many corPo
rations are now doing business in thi
State without contributing their propel
share to the support thereof Is undisputet
and the omission suggests speedy aIt
effectual remedy.
The method of taxation which nov
prevails is grossly defective and relief i
demanded by every consideration Of jus
tice and equity. It is a notorious fac
that some farms in the county OF Jeftr
son are taxed upon valuation far II
excess of what they would command 3
public sale if advertised snd sold uPo
long time. The income from these land
has been reduced to a minimum throug
the low prices which have prevailed dur
ing recent years 80 that the present rat
of taxation amounts in some instances a
most to confiscation.
Ia touching upon the salient points
this report we find nothing to critics
but much to commend, and it is simp
w TED-TRUsTwoRTHY AND AZ
, w tive gentlemen or ladies to travel I,
! responsible, established house in West Vi