Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-01
three from the House and two from
the Senate.

| the Senate.
Stewart Bowman, (Dem.), of Bar
bour county, has very pronounced
views upon tie subject of taxation,
particularly its inequalities He wants
to- see the bu1den of taxation distrib-
uted in such manner that it will rest
equally upon the rich and poor alike.
He is particularly anxious to provide
a means for tae assessors to reach the
man whose wealth is represented by
government and other bonds. Mr..
Bowman is not alone in his views upon
this subject. The masses will approve
any measure which contemplates re-
vision of the taxation laws along the
lines suggested. The proper method
by which the end may be attained is
different matter. Mr.. Bowman leaves
it to the wisdom of the House commit
tee on taxation and finance in the fol-
lowing resolution which he has Of
fered:
Whereas Owing to inherent defects
in the provisions of Chapter twenty
nine of the Code of West Virginia, a
large amount of taxable wealth in the
form of bonds, notes, other securities
and investments, escapes assessment
and its jdst proportion of taxes, there
by unjugtly increasing the burdens OF
government and of taxation borne by
the agricultural and other classes pos
sessing visible property, and
Whereas, The provisions of said
Chapter, and especially of sections -
thereof, appear to be wholly wrong in
principle, and to inure to the advantage
of those owning such wealth, thus en-
ablingl them to enjoy the fruits and
benefits OF usurious rates of interest.
| while jevading their just share OF taxa
ton, #nd
| VIII reas, Many persons in the State
receiving and enjoying the benefits OF
remu lucrative salaries and large in
cOmeIs pay taxes wholly disproportlon-
ate Ito those of farmers, landowners
and jpossessors of visible wealth, and
Whereas, These palpable inequall-
| tiesi in taxation have aroused among
| theJ agricultural classes of the State
| grave complaint and serious and IN
| crehsing discomfort with our existing
| sy4tem of taxation, thereby arouslng
| dissatisfaction with the machinery oil
State government, a lack of respect
fol the equality of its laws, and the
integrity of the lawmakers, tending to
| AROUSE apprehension as to continued
| public peace and security, therefore be
| ID
| Resolved, By the House of Dele
gates:
/. That the Committee on Taxation
and Finance be instructed to at once
Investigate chapter tWenty-nlne or the
|Code, and any other provisions there
| of relating to the subject of taxation,
npt
II House a bill embodying such amend
\ ments thereto, as will. in the judy
ment of the committee, secure an equal
and lust assessment OF property
throughout the State, and exact from
those enioying untaxed annual in
comes, or possessing forms OF lnvls-
ible wealth, their just and equitable
proportion of the taxes and burdens
of government in this State.
2. That the said committee be d.
rected to consider the equity and ad-
visibility of providing for an income
tax upon all incomes exceeding actual
living expenses of a fixed amount as
the true and equitable way of secur-
ing from invisible wealth its just pro-
portion of taxation. rather than by
assessing it at its actual value as other
property.
8. That owing to the wholly lnefti-
cient character of existing assessment
laws, the difficulties attending an eqult-
able assessment of property, the ease
and facility with which owners OF GER
tain forms of property evade such as
sessment, and the consequent inequall-
ties arising therefrom, the COMMITTEE
be further directed to consider and, II
deemed advisable, to do so, to provide
by creation of county boards OF equal
/ ization or otherwise, for the eXamina-
v ton. correction and equalization of
property assessments for the require
{nent of faithful performance of duties
w assessors, and for the investigation
md report to the grand juries OF each
unty. of all violations and evasions
the assessment laws
wing to the number of bills intro
ed to amend certain laws there is
lowing sentiment favorable to their
ion by commissioners appointed
hat purpose. For example, res
bn has been introduced to
commission to revise
atutes pertaining to education,
will probably be adopted 1t
10 been suggested that the work
sing the road and game laws be
lde the especial work of joint
ees.
DIR. Taylor, (Dem.), of Cabell,
the resolution providing for
zee to investigate the eXpendi-
le State contingent fund, the
ide was taken by surprise.
las made to defeat the move
attaching an amendment re-
imilar investigation of form
STATIONS. If the resolution
is the general opinion that
tee will find condition of
h will not reflect credit
ate House ring. DR.. Tay-
at charges had been made
I'D individuals and he
IeTuor and others