Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-01-31
UGUSTACOUNTY
Legislators Want $500 a Year and
Mileage.
MORE ON THE TAX QUESTION
Governor White Speaks Out or the Sui
Of Tax Commissions Recommendation,

tv bill, which provides for the forna-
ton Of new county from parts OF Ma
rion, Wetzel and Monongalia counties,
was among the first considered In the
House aud provoked a lively discus
ison. A MINORITY report from the com
mittee for further consideration, aud
that there is a large DELEGATION on It's
way here from the counties interested.
the members Of which ask TO be heard
in opposition TO the bill. The matter
was finally laid over.
4 resolution was introduced in the
House proposing an amendment TO the
constitution. making the pay OF men,
bers of the Legislature $500 a year
during their term of service aud mi
leage and that no other allowance be
made for postage. stationery or any
other purpose whatever. The resolu-
ton went over under the rules until
today.
AS was expected. the committee on
railroads reported unfayorablv on the
measure to provide separate cars for
white and colored persons, commonly
known as the Jim Grow car law"
The bill to provide free text books in
the public school was reported favor
ably in the Senate with the'recommen-
dation that it become a law, and the
bill providing for a compulsory school
law was advanced to a third reading
The State Horticultural Society.
which is in session here, asked the
Legislature to make an appropriation
for an agricultural building at the
State University where agriculture
could be taught.
The oleomaragin bill was the sub
ieet of a prolonged and animated dis
cussion in the House YESTERDAY after
noon the opponents of the measuie be-
ing principally members from the min
ing districts Of the state who claimed
the proposed measure was Ga tax on
the poor mans butter. The bill was
finally advanced to q third reading.
Governor Albert Blakeslee White,
of West Virginia. who has the courage
of his convictions, and is always ready
to speak out on public affairs, and who
il on the side of the people in the tax
controversy. has given ont the follow
ing for publication on this vital sub
jeet:
1.-THE issue beforesthe Legislature of
tax reform so clearly defined. 1t is
the indirect as against the direct tax
for the support of the State govern
ment. 1t is the peoples interest ms
against the selfish opposition of privi-
legged interests which oppose just tax
alton.
The Tax Commission shows how the
State can raise the needed revenues
without direct taxes. Ii requires no
constitutional convention to afford this
relief. The measures proposed al be
adopted now. Why not give relief
now? We all know why certain cor
porate interests prefer the present in
effective, unjust and %inequable plan of
~levving direct taxes. But why should
the people be needlessly and ~unjustly
taxed that special interests and priv
ileees may not bear their just share OF
the public burdens? Why should we
levy a State tax of thirty-ive cents ON
the hundred dollars needlessly?
To postpone this great reform until
a constitutional convention is held is
a scheme to defeat by delay. | do not
favor the submission of the question
of a constitutional convention at a
special election. The Tax Commission
proposes that the question of a consti-
tutioual convention 5essvoted On at the
regular election in 1904 without ex-
pense, and. if approved. that such q
convention be elected. That is soon
enough.
What would a constitutional con-
vention do more than the present
Legislature can do towards pleasing
the Standard. Oil Company and its
constituent oil companies. the great
railroad coal combinations, the liquor
and other corporate interests, which
want to be let alone, while the peo-
pie par unjust burf ems
There are no constitutional official
ties in the way of adopting the re-
commentators of the Tax Commission.
Such talk is INDUCED in for effect and
ALWAYS is brought against any proposed
tax measure.
The State needs revenues. The pc-
lit cal party in powe. is merely an in-
strument in the hands Of the people TO
promote their welfare. If it proves
recreant to the trust. if corporate IN
fuences outweigh the just recommen-
dations of the Tax Commission and
no relief is given, it may be q sorry
dav for the RESPONSIBLE party when the
na0r1p rass Indictment.