The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-06
They Declare It Wit Danish Capital
and Industry.
MOST UBIQUITOUS MEASURE.
characterized by Prominent Finan-
cIers as Vicious. odious and In
quisitional Legislation - Pro-
vIdes for Commissioners
With no One to Judge
OF Their Conduct

A storm OF indignation has been
aroused by the passage of the bill by
the Legislature to establish an Office Of
commissioner Of valuation. While It
is claimed that the object of the bill
is to get the tax-dodgers. yet. on the
other hand, 1t Is claimed that the real
effect OF the bill will be the driving out
of capital and the Sitting OF industry.
Those who figure in the Industrial
and financial world claim that the bill
will result In untold damage to the in-
duStriaI and financial life of the State.
They are bitter in their denu- lat;ons.
Major Charles S. Stringfellow said
when asked about the bin: II have
been practicins law in Virginia for forty
years. but in all my experience I have
never known legislation SO vicious or SO
odious.''
DEAD SURE THING.
]. well known business man expressed
himself in the following manner: The
commissioner has dead sure thing OF
it. Just figure 1t out and see. Say.
for instance. that the assessed value of
: property is $4,000. With the present
State tax of 10 cents. this will reach
$40. Now the commissioners fees for
assessing property Is one-twentieth OF
1 per cent, which makes 1t So for him.
or one-eighth Of $40. which equals L IL
per cent. OF the total tax collected. That
is the commissioner IS to receive from
the State oEe-etghth, or u IL per CENT
OF the tax which should be collected
upon the amount of assessment made
by him, and this. whether such tax Is
actually collected or not.
Then. In addition, ne has the power
of fixing values. so you can readily un-
derstand that he is not going to suffer
by arbitrary undervaluation. as he Is to
get II IL per cent. upon the total amount
OF taxes collected upon personal property
and incomes for assessing the same"
Another prominent business man said:
This Is the most remarkable piece OF
legislation I have ever heard OF. do
not think that the increase in revenue
on personal property kiIl be sufficient
to pay the 121- per cent. commission
to the commissioner. This IS more than
double what the State pays for de-
llnquent taxes. and where the assess
ment IS not more than the owner re-
turns to the commissioner of revenue II
will prove a dead loss.
WHO SHALL BE HIS JUDGE?
Again the commissioner is neither
elected by nor Is he amendable to the
people. His appointment can be made
by the Governor only, and the only rea-
sons for his dismissal are malfeasance
and neglect, yet the law does not state
who shall judge his conduct.
Mr.. John L. Williams, of J. L. Will
Iiams s. Sons, bankers, said: Il cor
slider it q Populistic measure. 1t IS
vicious odous and inquisitorial 1t is
calculated to cultivate fraud and bribery.
and the cost will be infinitely more than
the good that can result.
Mr. Fred W. Scott. OF Scott & String
fellow. brokers. characterized the lesis-
Iation as vicious and odious. II
know of no other State having such leg
fslation,'. said Mr. Scott. ..ft means that
a mans private and PERSONAL affairs are
to be opened for public inspection. II
IS outrageous.
Mn. J.. Thompson Brown said: 1T Is
bad enough to have iand-sraooers'
law to rob virginians. but it is s;ill
worse to have spies appointed and spy
! ing egalized. It is like the Spanish in-s
alsisition."