The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-08-24

ARE FORNENST
Tax Commissions Report and Calls the
Recommendation Hclass LegisiA-
tion" as to Their Professions

The West Virginia State Medical as
sociation, at its recent annual meeting,
adopted the following resolutions con-
cerning the tax eommission,s report, and
by request of some of the members Of
the association, they are here published; !;
Whereas, There was submitted to the
legislature of this state ct its hast ses-
sion for its consideration and passage,
q. new scheme of taxation, known as the
state Tax Commission B7lls,R which
system was proposed by the state tax
commission and strongly endorsed by
the governor of this state; and
Whereas, Owing to the failure of the
legislature to pass these bills at its last
session, it is proposed to press their en-
actment into law at special session to
be called by the governor, or at the next
regular session in case such special ses-
sion be not convened; J; and :
Whereas, 1t is proposed by the enact
ment of said Legislation to do away.
in a measure, with our present system Of
raising revenue by n levy upon prop
ertv values. and to substitute therefor,
among other things, license tax upon
all persons engaged in the practice OF
the learned professions, and among these
a license tax of $40 per year upon all
persons engaged in the practice of med
icinc, surgery. etc. the same to be as
.esscd and paid into the state treasury,
as in said bill provided, viz: Page p.
See. Ga, ION every license to Pructice
medicine and surgery, ten dollars; and
Whereas, In the opinion of this asso-
ciation the proposed license tax Is an
lust, wrong in principle, unreasonable
from every standpoint of right and JUS
t:ec. and is IN attempt TO shift the bur
don of taxation from the property owner
80 i cluss Of our citizens who already
contribute more Of their time and means
t. support the poor, unfortunate and dis
t.cssr.l. and TO charity in general than
any ether class of tlic citizens OF this
commonwealth and
Whereas. The assessmcnt and coilee-
tinn of This tax i'm the several counties
i tlris state a. license tax gives
the authority to all Incorporated cities
and town. to levy and collect ike taN
Tor municipal purposes, the collection apl
.tII Of which together with the fees t.
/, assessors. shcrifTs, city assessors and col
l,-.tors would be financial burden oi
no small moment upon the members oi
the profession. be it therefore
Resolved, That it is the sense OF this
association that the said proposed legis
Intion i bad and should not be ineorpo
rated into our laws, and we denounce tht
same AZ class legislation" contrary "
the spirit of our Constitution and on
laws, and ns an attempt to place ad'
dftional burdens upon an honored pro
fcssion. a majority of whose members
possess small means and incomes, ane
MI Of whom are compelled by reason O
the profession and their consequent as
sociation with the infirm, disabled ant
sick to wait upon, furnish medicine (
and attend the poor and needy with ht
tie compensation, and the very poo
without any compensation whatever
thus contributing largely of their TIM
and means to the Offices of charity. Ant
10 The end that this matter be specially
c.,IIed 10 the attention of our people, b
it further
Resolved. That the president and sec
retnry of this association furnish a copy
/ If these resolutions to the press through
ont the state with the request that tn
same be published. and that copy D.
| also furnished to all members OF Tn
house of delegates and the senate a
the next meeting of the legislature
Mr. q X. Rothstein viii arrive a
Clarlsburg during week of the Esd, a
win also Mr.. Percy b. wilkins, watcl