Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-09-27
STATES FINANCES
Are in Excellent Condition says
Auditor Scherr.
New Corporation Law Bringing Much
Revenue into Public Golfers Ex-
trayaganec of Last Legislature.

Revenue into Public Golfers Ex-
travagauec Of Last Legislature.
State Auditor Arnold G. Scherr
gave out the following interview sew
eral days ago with reference TO the
new corporation law and the condition
Of the States tinanees:
ssfrhe row law has nxeentea nvrac-
tations. At the time it was proposed
estimated that il would bring In
about $325, 600, and was told | was
entirely too sanguine. The facts are
that whereas The revenue under the
old order OF things for the fiscal year
1900 was but Sl4o,o 600 under the new
law, in its first year, for the twelve
months ending September 30th the
income will be about 1910, 900 and
estimated 1t for next year at from
$40, 900 TO $500, 900. Notwithstand-
ing the extravaganza Of the last Leg
islature We are meeting all demands.
1t was popularity expected that there
would be a deficit this year, but, ON
the contrary, we will have a surplus
In entte atlavish Recommendations We
cannot tell just what the new insur-
ance law will bring In as yet, but it
will contribute. measurably TO the in-
come, and there ought TO be an i'm
crease OF $25, 900 from licenses. /
think the time is approaching when
the State will have an amply income
from licenses and corporation taxessto
meet any possible demand, and thatit
will be found expedient TO abolish
State taxation on real and personal
property. | am q thorough believer
in that course and shall advocated it
at the coming session of the state tax
commission at Parkersburg next week
along with some other matters Of Inn
portance, tending TO equalize the bur
den ~ tavafinn 30 which J have uiven
much thought. The raising OF state
revenues from licenses and corpora
tions, as Is done In New Jersey and
Pennsylvania, works no hardship on
anyone, while 1t allows direct taxation
upon property to go entirely TO the
counties and there spent for purely
county purposes. That would be
much more satisfactory aud would
abolish at one stroke the constant
claim Of unequal taxation for State
purposes now so justly made.
There is one other matter TO which
public attention should be drawn, and
that is the enormous growth OF the
item Of criminal charges In state ex-
penses. For The present year 81 Is, 900
was arn@priatea No Nj Seeding
the greatest care there will be def
cit Of from $25, 900 to $50, 900 for this
year alone, while for l902 with an APP
preparation of 100000, there will be
deficit of $1,000. The trouble Is too
great liherality In certifying expenses
and charges. For instance, In some
Of the counties stenographers are al
lowed from $40 to as high as $40 or
$l7 per day We have made fixed
and uniform rate OF $3.50. Another
great drain is inexpenses Of witnesses
summoned but not appearing, and
who have to be gone after. Such wit
nesses are really In contempt OF court
and the expense should not be charged
to the criminal procedure, but TO tho
county. These are but instances Or
the great leakage Ii this item Of state
expense, and something must be done
about It. These are not political
vuestions- they are matters Of bust
ness, and as such should be brought
to the attention of the people OF the
state.