Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-10-21

Special TO the Register.
PARKER SBURG, w Va, October 20.
The attached resolutions were offered
by ex-senator Henry G. Davis at the
recent meeting of the State Tax Com
mission in the city of Parkersburg. Al
though the resolutions were not adopt
ed they were made the subject of con-
siderable discussion. and the purpose
of the commission was to work along
the lines suggested therein by Senator
Davis. 1t Is desirable that question OF
this kind should be taken up and dis
cussed carefully and in detail by the
newspapers in different sections OF the
State IN order that the commission may
be the better guided in the work before
It:
whereas. Great injustice results
from the collection of taxes upon real
and personal property for state and
State school purposes, owing to Unequal
ities IN uue assessed value or sueh prop
erty in the different counties OF the
State, therefore, be it
Resolved mat real and personal
property should be taxed Only for coun-
ty and other local purposes, and that
the necessary revenues for State and
State school purposes should, ana can
be. collected, without injustice or OPP
preston to corporate or other interests,
from capitation, franchises, charters,
railways. bank and bankers, insurance,
express, car, telegraph telephone, coal,
oil or gas, hote.s, restaurants, liquor
dealers, etc, and by an extension OF
the license system to the privileged or
protected professions, dealers IN manu-
featured tobacco, etc. and
Whereas, 1t is believed that the pro
visions OF our present law allowing the
deduction of Indebtedness from credits
and other forms of investment, FUR
nishes opportunity for eYasions and
fraud, and results in vast amount Oh
intangible and other property escaping
taxation when it should be taxed even
under our present laws; therefore 1t Is
Resolved, That al property, lnclud-
ing credits and investments, should De
assessed according to value, without al
lowing any deduction for Indebtedness,
unless the deduction asked actually
pays taxes; and,
Whereas, Much loss of revenue fol-
lows from the under valuation OF prop
erty and lack OF diligence in the collec-
ton of taxes; therefore,
Resolved, That in the opinion of this
commission better valuation of prop
erty and closer collection of taxes Will
result from the election in each county
OF an assessor, or assessors, of high
character, good Judgment and eapaei.y
and freeeholders, whose duty it shall be
to make annual assessments OF all prop
erty, real and persona, and to collect
the taxes levied, except that all taxes
not paid by a fixed date shall be placed
in the hands Of the sheriff. with pen
atty added for non-payment, for col
lection by distraint, or otherwise; and,
Whereas, The present plan or system
for assessment of the property Of rail-
road companies by the Board of Public
Works is fair in the opinion of this
commission, ana is IN accord with our
organic law it is
Resolved, That the same should be
continued as to railroad companies, and
should be extended, where practicable,
to cover sleeping, parlor and other car
companies, express, telegraph, tele-
phone, oil and gas companies, and any
others to which the system may be
specially suitable