The Washington times., 1902-12-18
PROPOSAL TO AMEND
VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION
Change SuggestedinElecting
Revenue Commissioners.
THE STATE TAXATION PLAN
House Subcommittee Presents It's Re
pOrt-Twenty-E Eight Sentences
COMMITTED by Governor.

CuLuuluLtu ny OUNGAuuL.
RICHMOND, Va. Dec. 1S.-The first
proposition TO amend the new constitu-
uon has been made by Mr.. Halsey, Of
Lynchburg. He presented a resolution in
the senate to submit TO the people the
question Of amending the constitution so
as TO permit commissioners OF revenue
to succeed themselves if chosen by pop
ular vote. Now this IS prohibited
The two houses again failed 20 agree
on an adjournment for the Christmas re-
cess The senate insisted upon its prop
osition to adjourn from December % to
January G.
The house subcommittee on finance
has made it's report. presenting its plan
Of taxation. with a provision for the an
nual state franchise tax provided for in
the new constitution. This section pro-
vides that each corporation, except rail-
way. canal insurance, banking. and Sc
curity companies. cemetery, religious,
and charitable associations. shall. in ad-
dition to other taxes, pay an annual fran
chise tax at the rate OF one-tenth Of 1
per cent Of its capital stock.
Afeoted by Proposed Tax.
The document is $50 pages long and
deals with every subject Of taxation i'm
sginable.
Among the taxes proposed are the fol-
lowing:
Lands. lots and ground rents. 80 cents
on the 500.
A tax OF S1.5O on every male twenty
one years old. except those pensioned by
the State for military services.
Tangible personal property. which is tC
incllde everything from an automobile
to an ak. timber. tools. crops Of all kinds
Gn the hands Of others than producers),
30 cents on the S1O0.
All incomes in excess Of 5000 a year
On all wills. grants and transfers a tax
Of 81 on each transaction under 81 900,
and 10 cents on each 500 in excess Of
81 900. On deeds there is to be a tax Of
30 cents. On all notices Of suits. writs Of
ejectment or attachment, other than
summons. and TemOTal Of causes from
magistrates 10 higher courts OF appeals
from the decisions OF boards Of super
visors, a tax OF 81 is imposed for all cases
Of $500 and under, and over that amount
10 cents on each 800.
The tax on banks. corporations. and
financial institutions is dealt with along
the lines Of the new constitution affect
ing those institutions.
All beneficiary associations Of every
kind. Insurance companies and societies,
mutual and cooperative. are TO be as
sessed for taxation at the rate OF 30
7ents on real and personal property.
COnvicts Pardoned.
The sentences Of twenty eight convicts
have been comnuted by Governor Monta-
que They have been confined in the
county jails during the period that the
penitentiary has been quarantined
against sections OF the state in which
smallpox existed, and In some cases as
much as ninety days will be taken from
their terms.
The State board is examining sixty
nine candidates for certificates 20 prac-
tice medicine. This year no women ap-
piled. though there are six negroes reg
istered
Richmond Is to have a new overall and
shirt factory to be built with Southern
capital II will employ from $50 10 25O
operatives. being owned by Georgia and
Florida parties.
Lieut.. Robert E. Peary In his lecture
20 a big audience at the Academy Of
Music Tuesday night said. Il still believe
that the North Pole can be reached
With pioneer parties to go ahead and
reconnoiter. and with proper equipment.
the goal can be attained. When ! find
some men with Sl50.0O0 or more that
they care 10 invest IN ice. viii make
the attempt TO find the North Pole
again"
The house committee on privileges and
elections will it is understood In the
contested election case OF Lambeth and
Bibb VS.. Whitehead and Woodward. from
Norfolk city, send in two reports. the
majority report being in favor Of the
ooutestees. whitehead and Woodward
and a minority report in favor Of the
contestants. Lambeth and Bibb The mi
nority report. 81 is understood. viii be
signed BY Mr. Cabell and Mr. West. and
possibly by one more member Of the
committee Il is estimated that no less
than ten members will sign the majority
report