Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-09-29
Tax Bill Meeting.


Williams. S H Higinbotham. c F Wall,
A w Mcdonald. James III Mason, E H
Reinhart, A Brenneman, G w Q Black,
M Hendricks, Milton Burr. Milton
Rouss and B F Moler; Secretaries
Geo w Haines. Fl L Snyder and R G.
Rissler.
State Senator VIM. Campbell took the
stand and gave an account OF his stew
ardship. showing that whilst he was OPP
posed to some of the details of the new
tax bills-notably the feature which
gives the assessment. collection and dis
bursement of taxes all into the hands Of
an assessor-he was in favor of tax re-
form. had voted for the appointment of
the tax commission in the Legislature of
1901. and had favored first an extension
and afterward an extra session for the
consideration of the subject. Senator
Campbell also quoted from the report of
Auditor La Toilette showing the grossest
inequalities between the tax burdens
borne by the different counties. Jefferson
has the third highest taxed lands. whilst
some of the richest mineral counties go
almost scot free as far as the land tax is
concerned.
Delegate c. M. Wetzel also spoke for
short while. Is materially opposed to
the entire tax system prevailing in this
State and is in favor of changing the
constitution. Proposed graduated tax
of lands of from cents on 1000 acres
or less up to 10 cents on 40, 600 acres or
more. Had heard of one nonresident
who IS receiving in royalties from coal
minedin this State $4,000 per month
without paying cent of tax thereon,
and believes that system which will
build up and foster such conditions is
radically wrong.
AT the conclusion of Mr. Wetzel's re-
marks recess was taken until 2 p. m.
On reassembling at p. m. a commit
tee of five was appointed on resolutions.
as follows: E H Mcdonald. H L Sny-
der, G w Q Black. E H Reinhart and
Geo w NARROW.
Gov. A. B White then took the stand
and spoke for two hours. The question
up for consideration, he said, was not a
political one. and sooner or later the
main principles involved will prevail
He paid high compliment to Jefferson S
representatives in both branches OF the
Legislature. and favorably commented
upon the high standing of the members
of the tax commission. Jefferson county
under the present system. he said. pays
one-fortieth of all taxes levied for the
| State government and schools, and has
neither coal mines, natural gas. oil wells
or large bodies of timber. Fayette and
Mcdowell, the largest coal counties,
don't begin to contribute as much as
Jefferson. Six coal counties have nearly
one-half of all the criminal charges in
the State. The issue involved is that
power of taxation should not be exer-
cised except in case of necessity. The Tax
Commission came to the conclusion that
there were great inequalities. and our
fathers severed connection with the moth
er country on a question of taxation not
half so grave as this, The steam railroads
and street car lines should pay tax on
gross earnings, as in Ohio, Pennsylvania
and other States The real milk in the
.eocoanut of the recently published man
ifesto against the tax bills is the objection
to the proposed tax Cd oil, coal and
natural gas. These interests impose
heavy burdens on the State, to maintain
inspectors hospitals, the national guard,
etc., and ought to pay State tax. Jet
ferson had less than ST., 900 and Kanawha
over SI4, 900 of criminal charges last year.
If there is any merit in this tax reform it
cannot be suppressed by delay. don't
say that | am in favor of all in the bills,
but the present system is so UNANIMOUSLY
bad that it ought to be changed. and as
sure as you sit there and | stand here. you
will yet live to see the day when no direct
taxes will be levied in West Virginia in
order to raise money to run the State
government.
At the conclusion of Governor Whites
speech the following resolutions were re-
ported and adopted
Whereas. A commission has recommend-
ed certain legislation to accomplish honest
taxation in West Virginia; and
Whereas, Twenty eight citizens of this
State have published an address advising
against the legislation which the commission
recommends; and
this is a most important subject, and should
be better understood by voters,
Resolved That the chair appoint a COM
mlttee of ten to consider the question in
yolved and publish their recommendations
in the form of an address to the people,
Resolved, That we hereby endorse the
plan of taxation recommended by the Tax
Commission appointed by Governor White,
especially the proposed tax on coal and gas,
Resolved, That this meeting thanks Gov
ernor White and the gentlemen of the Com
mission for their effort to bring about honest
taxation,
Resolved, That the chairman be authorized
to call this meeting together whenever the
public welfare requires it.
e. H. MCDONALD,
III. l.. SNYDER,
G.. w. z. BLACK,
E. H. REMNANT,
GEO. w. MARROW.
State Senator John ]. Cornwell. of
Hampshire county, was the next speaker.
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