Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-02-19

| OF Tue OOumlsslOH nOl oo duoPtoui ~
shall be the duty of the Legislature, at
such extra session, to decide as to
whether a Constitutional Convention
be called or not; and
That at the present session appro-
priations be made for the next fiscal
year under the existing law and that
at the extra session the appropriations
for the second fiscal year shall be made
either under the new system of taxa
ton, if adopted, or if not, under the
present system.
1t seems to be in the line with the
resolutions adopted by heState Grange
laat month, rs follows:
Zone difficulty in our way to sue
cess at this time, lies in the fact that
the great mass Of our people-the
people-the great producing and in
dustrial classes are not familiar with
the changes proposed by these bills.
This is unfortunate, for by it much of
our power and influence will not be
available at this time. Only time
and work can remove this trouble,
and give the people chance to assert
themselves in an intelligent way.
"If it is found that the bills are in
danger because of this fact, then in all
fairness we would favor mo action
on these bills now, but postponement,
and enlightening Of the State, through
the press and otherwise. When am
pie time had been given for the peo-
pie to fully inform themselves on the
subject, say a year, then the Governor
could call special session Of the Leg
islature to act upon the report and
nothing else. While this would en-
tail an additional cost on the State,
we think the importance of the mat
ter would fully repay any cost thus
incurred" "
Already over FIVE hundred bills
have been introduced at this session
of the Legislature and it is doubtful
if they can be disposed Of within the
regular forty-fve day session, without
considering the Tax Commission billq
at all. If considered at a regular ses-
sion it would be to the detriment Of
the measures, since every lobbyist
concerned would use his influence to
defeat bills offered by those in favor
of the Tax Commission and vice versa
1t must be remembered that under
the resolution authorizing the Com
mission, they were required to make
their report with the evident inten-
tion of giving the people year to un-
derstand them and to instruct the rep
resentatives as to their wishes by jan
uary 1st, 1902 This they failed to
do, and while their final report was
finished prior to last November it was
not published until after the election.
1t is charged rightly or wrongly
that the Republican Party is re'pon-
sible for this delay, as it was afraid to
antagonize the corporations before
election and was willing to pose as the
peoples friends" afterwards.
The Tax Commission Bills were
ready for distribution long ago but
did not see the light of day until after
the Legislature met. They proposed
great changes in the Tax Laws, and
require the most careful. one might
almost say, prayerful consideration,
by the law makers of this State. On
many points we are as yet in the dark.
For instance, if the State Tax on land
is removed, will it abrogate Article IL
of the Constitution which says, "That
all lands not paying the State tax for
FIVE consecutive years shall be forfeited
to the State, and thus cast cloud on
the title of all real estate in West Vir-
ginia2
Again, will the criminal and insane
charges the counties will have to bear
offset the advantages the counties will
receive by being relieved Of the State
land tax2
Then, is the proposition to have
the same officer assess property and
collect the taxes on it, one to be en-
dorsed?
These are just few points covered
in the thirty-odd bills offered by the
Tax Commission. The masses Of the
people are vitality interested in this
matter. If the suggestions Of the Tax
Commission are not found TO be wise af-
ter proper deliberation they should at
least be amended go as to conform to
the best interest of the whole people.
If on the other hand they be found
to be meritorious public sentiment
will be created in their favor which
will carry them through in spite ol
|