Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-02-10
TAX LEGIsLATION.


US Of the Tax Commission Report and Bills,
| ask you to publish this communication.
The fact that theSenate by an overwhelm- !,
ing vote refused to give these measures i'm
mediate consideration, can be counted as
victory for those who believe that the re-
port has merit and offers relief to the over
taxed farmers of the State. The Democrats,
with one exception. voted for the substitu-
ted report. believing that by so doing they
ensured fair hearing for tax relief legisla-
ton, and that If the bills were forced to the
front without giving their friends chance
to be heard, that their doom would be seal
ed
reported adversely and this substitute adopt
ed
Resolved, That it is the sense Of the Sen
ate that such of the bills prepared by the
Tax Commission which provide for change
in the general scheme of our pre- sent system
of ia xation, should not be considered by the
Senate at the present session, for the rea-
sons that the people of this State should be
first afforded an opportunity to acquaint
themselves with the recommendations OF
the Tax Commission as to such change, and
give expression of their views to the mem
bers of the Legislature upon this subject; it
being the opinion of the Senate that the
report of the Commission is substantially
unknown to the people of the State at this
time.
My resolution was as follows:
Whereas, It is inexpedientto consider the
Tax Commission Report and the proposed
legislation germane thereto at the present
session OF the Legislature.
IL Fx.11 4 - + IL
ture will be taken up by current legislation.
End. Because owing to the delay in print
ing and distributing the Tax Commission
Bills, members have not had adequate time
or opportunity to acquaint themselves with
their provisions.
3rd. Because the peopleof the State are as
yet undecided as to whether the suggestions
of the Tax Commission should be adopted
and legislators are, therefore, not posted as
to the wishes of their constituents.
4th. Because the repOrtOf said Commits
| sion, on account of the high standing of its
members and care with which it has been
drawn, is entitled to the careful and respect
ful attention of the Legislature, which can
only be had alta session devoted exclusively
to the consideration of questions affecting
taxation. free from complication with other
matters
9Th. Because an extra session would cost
the taxpayers of the State no more than an
extended one. and would eventually be in
the interest of economy; be it
| Resolved, That it is the sense of the Leg
islature of West Virginia that the Legisla-
ture should be convened in extra session
not less than three nor more than six
months from the date of adjournment of
this session, to consider the Tax Commission
reports and bills, and should the recon-
mendations of the Commission not be adOp-
ted, it shall be the duty of the Legislature,
lat vfroc IN f<.x ,l,otl, =
er Constitutional Convention be called or
not; and
That at the present session appropriations
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 taxation, if adopted, or if not, under the
present system.
| 1t seems to be in line with the resolutions
adopted by the State Grange last month, as
follows:
| One difficulty in our way to success at this
time, lies in the fact that the great mass of
our peopIe--THE PEOPLE-the great pro-
ducing and industrial casses-are not famiI-
lar 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 q 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 people, through the press and otherwise.
| When ample time had been given for the
| people to fully inform themselves on the
subject, say year. then the Governor could
call special session of the Legislature to
act upon the report and nothing else. While
this would entail an additional cost on the
State, we think the importance of the mat
ter would fully repay any cost thus incur
red.
my hope is that the present Legislature,
fresh from the people, will study the peo-
pies interests and serve them.
The tax laws proposed blythe Tax Com
mission will not affect the production of
pound of coal, gallon of Oil or cubic foot
Of gas; nor will they hamper in any way
the State.
But they should prove blessing to all
the people and result in fair and more
equitabl system of taxation, both for local
and State purposes"
| 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 five day session
without considering the Tax Commission
bills 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 offer.
ed 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 by Jan. LIST, 1902, with the evident in
tention of giving the people year to un
stand them and to instruct the representa-
tives as to their wishes. This they failed to
d. and while their final report was finish
ed prior to last November it was not pub
lished until after the election.
II is charged, rightly or wron gly. that the
Republican party is responsible for this delay
as it was afraid to antagonize the corpora
tons before election and was willing to pose
as the g peoples friend" afterwards.
The Tax Commission bills were ready for
distribution long ago but did not see light OF
| day until after the Legislature met.
They propose great changes in the Tax
Laws, and require the most careful, one
| might 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 abro-
gate Article Is of the Constitution which SAYS
that all lands notpaying the State tax for five
consecutive years shall be forfeited to the
Slate, and thus cast a cloud on the title of all
real astate in West Virginia?
Again, will the criminal and insane charges
the counties will have to bear, offset the ad-
vantage the counties win receive by being re-
ieved of the State land tax
Then, is the proposition to have the same
officer assess property and collect the taxes on
it, one to be endorsed ?
These are just a few points covered in the
thirty odd bills offered by the Tax Commits
sion. The masses of the people are vitality iu-
terested in this matter. Ii the suggestions of
the Tax Commission are not found to be wise
N fsH 1-Irl