Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-18
TAX-LAW REVISION.

To the Editor of the Register.
Sir:-Business men are interested in
the fact that the Legislature author
lied a commission to revise our tax
laws. The State will suffer il the
Governor appoints figure-heads. super
fetal men, demagogues or men who
play to the gallery.
While writing the report of the Tax
Commission, five years ago, / found
that this subject requires profound
thought and laborious Investigation.
That commission failed for two rea-
sons, list, because the business men OF
Wheeling took up a silly delusion that
some of the commission proposed to
place an unjust part OF the burden on
commercial property, and End, because
demagogues fooled farmers about
Jackson's Supplemental Assessment
order. When a mistaken popular pre-
JUDGE becomes turbulent small men
truckle to it, while brainy men do not
take enough interest to create a cor
rect public judgment. Brainy men, If
accustomed to study are, with rare ex-
ceptions, occupied with private bust
ness, and, unless seeking office, give
little thought to purely public Ques-
tionS, but, organized capital keeps the
best n least scrupulous talent con-
stantly employed to prevent legisla-
ton TO curb illegitimate profit. Many
| similar reflections will come to all
thinking men who hear that the tax
laws are to be revised. They greatly
need revision.
The Governor is reputed ambitious
and honest. 1t is said that he suggest
ed and promoted this measure and is
anxious. for its success. But failure is
certain unless the commission merits
public confidence from start to finish.
To succeed, it's work must be well
done. Ii superficial and vulnerable, it
Will be rlddled as oOn as published.
The commission should be men trusted
for intelligence and respected for in
tegrity. One of the commissioners
might he selected by some such body
as the Wheeling Board of Trade; one
by the railroads and n by the agri-
culture. The other two ought to be
men trained to study economic ques-
lions. These two, IL competent, would
propose what is impartial and educate
the others to appreciate the merits OF
different proposals. A man, uncon-
scious of lacking information, soon
realizes his ignorance when confront
ed with those who really understand a
subject. If such a commission agrees
on a bill, it would probably pass and
prove of great value. Nothing is in
| vented and perfected at the same time,
and hence the bill. accompanied by an
explanatory report, should be publish
ed six months before the Legislature
meets, SO that criticism may suggest
improvements, and silence objections
based on ignorance.
ALI agree that taxes should be so as
seSsed hat each man will contribute
in proportion TO his ability. Whoever
gives sufficient thought will reach the
conclusion that equality will result TX
the proposition is enforced that all
| property shall be taxed according to
it's value" This means that a tax shall
be levied on each piece OF property,
and that such tax shall be paid by the
men who happen to W 1t on a par
ticular day. If you own a horse on
the first day of April, you must pay
his tax although you bought him the
day before and sold him the day after.
When this illustration is understood,
any one will see hat enforcing the
rule will not only produce equality, but
will reduce the tax rate at least nifty
per cent. ?
Many interesting questions should be
considered and we may discuss some or
them presently. For example, should
both the mortgage and the property
be taxed? ]. on. MASON.
Charles Town, w. Va.