Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1903-09-02
A Clear and Succinct Summing
Up OF The Issue Raised
in This State.
WHAT THE MOVE.
MENT CONCENTRATES.
The Action Of The Legislature in Refusing
to Consider Suggestions Of the
Commission.

CHARLESTON, w. VA. SEPT l =
Some days ago Governor White
wrote a letter to member Of the
legislature In the northern part OF
the State which we are permitted
to publish. It Is a clear and sue
cinct discussion of the tax Issue. as
raised In our state, and shows what
the proposed "tax reform" move
ment contemplates. The letter IS
as follows.
Nv Dear Sir:-What l contend.
ed fer last winter, and what I still
contend for may be summed up as
this: The Legislature of 1901
unanimously declared that our
present tax system "ls not such a
system as Is best adapted to the
changed conditions brought about
by the development OIL the State
and Its resources and authorized
the appointment of commission,
which commission was directed to
repor. TO the next regular session
of the Legislature of the State
"what char ges are required In the
tsx assessment or revenue laws of
tt State, to equallze taxation and
rea. oroperty, firms, persons and
corp j. atoms rot now bearing their
just proportion of the burdens of
taxation, and to raise the necessary
amount of revenue with the least
possible burden upon the people
and the property of the State.
This Commission made It's report
through the governor, who earn
estly asked for a consideration of
the report and recommended Its
chief propositions as wise, which
-r,~e = brief: First, the abolition
State taxes In order to
a. the gross inequalities aris.
Ing ..om the counties being the
unit ofassessment for taxation pur-
poses. Second the raising of the
necessary revenues for the State
government by direct methods OF
taxation.
We now raise about 40 per cent
of our revenues by the indirect
method. estimating our revenues
at $1,45o,ooo annually for State
purposes. The Dawson corporation
law produces $4oo,o 900, annually.
Now If we can raise 40 per cent OF
our needed revenues by indirect
methods, and 1t can be shown to be
practical and just to raise 100 per
cent In the same manner, why not
do SC? I contend that we can do
this without any injustice to any
interest In our State, and just as
they do 1t In other States. I am
not committed to every detail
and suggestion of the Tax Com.
Missions report, but to the broad
outlines of the plan. do not care
whether the counties are compelled
to pay one half of their criminal
charges lin most States they pay
them all, I believe) VI whether we
ask the counties to pay only a
quarter of the criminal charges.
they aught to pay something of
them In order that the bills may be
more closely scrutinized by the
county courts and less unnecessary
claims and extravagaut charges
made. We can raise enough
revenue without direct taxes, there.
fore the direct tax now levied OF
twenty-five cents on the 500 for
State purposes and ten cents on the
$Ioo for school purposes are un-
necessary taxes and therefore I'M.
lust taxes. I do not think that
proposition can be controverted.
If il ISN'T wise to tax coal production
as proposed, then don't do 1t.
Certainly We ca reduce direct tax