The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1901-10-23
EX-SENATOR H. G. DAVIS


Presents What VIII be a POpula
Idea to Tie Tax Commissioners.
The following resolutions wer'
offered by Ex-senator Henry Ct
i Davis at the recent meeting of the
State Tex Commissioners held in
the city of Parkereburg. Although
the resolutions were not adopted
they were made the sub
jeot of considerable discus
sion, and the purpose of the COM
mission was to work along the lines
sugge sted therein by Senator Da-
Wis. 1t ie desirable that quest
ion of this kind should be taken
up and discussed carefully and in
detail by the newspapers in the
different section Of the State in
order that the commission may be
better guided in the work before it
when it meets in Charleston, this
month:
Whereas, Great injustice results
from the collection of taxes upon
real and personal property for state
and state school purposes, owing to
Inequalities in the assessed value
of suoh property in the different
counties of the state, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That real and person
al property should be taxed only
for county and other local purpo-
ses, and that the necessary reven-
ues for state and state school pur-
poses should, aud can be, collected
without injustice or oppression to
corporate or other interests, from
capitation, franchises, charters,
railways, banks and bankers, insu-
rance. express, car, telegraph, tele-
phone, coal, oil, gas, hotels, restau-
rants, liquor dealers, etc., and by
an extension of the license system
to the privileged or protected pro-
fessions, dealers in manufactured
tobacco, eto ;and
Whereas, 1t is believed that the
provisions of our present law al
lowing the deduction of indebted
ness from credits and other forms
of Investment, furnishes opportu-
nifty for evasions and fraud, and
results in a vast amount Of intangi-
BILE and other property escaping
taxation when it should be taxed
even under our present laws; there
fore, it is
Resolved, That all property, in
Guiding credits and investments,
should be assessed according to
value, without allowing any de-
duction for indebtedness, unless
the deduction asked actually pays
taxes, and,
"Whereas, Much loss of revenue
from the under valuation of prop
ty and lack of diligence in the COL
lection of tazes; therefore,
Resolved, That in the opinion of
this commission better valuation of
property and closer collection of
taxes will result from the election
in eaoh county of an assessor or as
SCISSORS, of high character, good
judgment and capacity, and free
holders, whose duty it shall be to
make annual assessments of all
property, real and personal, and to
collect the taxes levied, except that
all taxes not paid by fixed date
shall be placed in the hands of the
sheriff, with penalty added for
non- payment, for collection by dis
traint or otherwise; and,
Whereas, The present plan OF
system for assessment of the prop
erty of railroad companies by the
board of public works is fair in the
opinion of this commission, and is
in accord with our organic law, il
is
"Resolved, That the same should
be continued as to railroad oompa'
nies, and should be extended
where practicable, to cover sleep.
ing, parlor, and other car compa.
nies, express, telegraph, telephone
gas and oil companies, and any
others to which the system may be
specially suitable.
sheriff Gets His Man.
Sheriff Mcdaniel, after warn
chase through Maryland and Wes
II. MI