The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-09
UDGEgl'HIITIL
IN AlY'O } 0
] He Advocates Appointment Of Tax <;
Commission.
OFFERS SOME SUGGESTIONS $ 6: : i. J! /:
Says This is a Matter OF the Greatest
Inportancc-C Commissioners Should
be Well Paid in Order to Get
the Best NJ EN-.
OFFERS SOME SUGGESTIONS.

Letters are p5 Iring in upon members
cf the Senate, urging the passage of Sen 3
ator Lipton's bill providing for q Tax
Commission. nir Upton has received.
more than two hundred and fifty COM
munications approving of his measure.
One Of the most important letters is adj
dressed 10 Senator Carter Glass by Circuit
Judge S. G.. Whittle, one of the ablest
members of the bench in Virginia. It is
as follows:
Martinsvilc. Va, Jan. 4. 1900.
Hon. Carter Glass, Richmond, Va.
My Dear Sir:-I was very glad indeed
to observe that Senator Lupton had In
troduced bill looking to the appoint
to enquire into and suggest the best
ways and means Of reaching the various
subjects of taxation in the State.
5 have not seen the bill. and am not
advised as to its details or scope.
The subject is one of overshadowing inn
portance, and have long thought that
something along the lines which I shall
take the liberty to suggest. would de-
liver us from our embarrassments and
place the finances OF the State on solid
basis.
THE COMMISSIONERS.
Five Commissioners, selected with views
to their capacity, intelligence in
teGrity and fairness and from different
walks of life, should be appointed, to
inform themselves as to the fiscal sys-
tens not only Of every State in the
Union. but all of the chief cities. such
as New York, Chicago and Philadelphia,
and from information thus derived form-
ulate a tax bill suitable to the needs OF
our State.
In the selection OF this commission
there are some reasons why it might
not be wise to conine it to the LegiSla-
ture, and I say this with unfeigned re-
spect for the members Of both branches
of that body. This would give a wider
field for selection, and the very best ma
terial the Commonwealth affords could
be secured-men without axes, political
or other, to grind.
yer on the commission, to enable it to
steer clear of legal difficulties, and aid in
incorporating the result Of its labors IN
a carefully and accurately prepaid tax
bill
THE COMPENSATION.
The commissioners should be sufficient
lvicompensated to obtain the best results
1t would be neither just nor judicious &c
EXPECT men capable OF dlScharSlnS inns
delicate and most important SchHlSS -
undergo the labor that would OF necessl;
ty devolve. upon them without adequate
remuneration
They should report, not to the present
but the next session. or to called SEES
sion Of the Legislature, thus allowing
ample time for them to do their work thor
! ouGhly.
am persuaded that a wiselF-selectet
| commission would work such reVolu
; ton in our financial system that the way
! of the tax dodger would be made hard
| and very many legitimate subjects o.
| taxation, which now escape altogether
would be brought to book, and the bur
| dens of those who are honest or who, b!
| reason of the character of their property
J cannot evade the tax-satherer, would b'
! greatly lishtened.
| sincerely trust that You may aEre'
with me as to the Importance OF th1
| measure, and may use Your best efforts u
| accomplish something along the line lndl
| Gated.
! / shall address a similar letter to sew
! eral members of the Legislature.
| Sincerely yours,
s. C. WHITTLE.