Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-10-01
Discussing the Tax Question.

sion of the question of taxation IN
West Virginia in connection with the
recommendations of the tax commits
sion authorized by the Legislature Of
1901. OF the speakers who had been
invited to address the people there
were present Governor A. B. White,
State Senators John J. Cornwell and
William Campbell, and Delegate c.
N. Wetzell,
The meeting was called to order by
Major L. H. Mcdonald, who stated
the object of the gathering. J. VIII
liam Rider was elected chairman and
G. ". Haines, r. c. Rissler and H.
L. Snyder secretaries. W. II. T. Lew
is, I. w. Williams, S. H. Higinbotham,
c. F. Wall, A. w. Mcdonald, James
N. Mason, E. H. Reinhart, Adam
Brenneman, G. w. Z. Black, J. NJ.
Hendricks, Milton Burr, B. f. Moler
and Milton Rouss were elected vice.
presidents.
Hon. William Campbell, State Sen
ator from this district, was first called
upon. Mr.. Campbell first explained
his record in the last Legislature and
then gave his views upon the bills
presented by the tax commission,
which in the main be favored. He
endorsed the proposed capitation tax;
favored divorcing the State and coun-
ty revenues believed that the annu-
al assessment of real estate would
cause advantages that would far out
weigh the expense. Mr.. Campbell
submitted facts and figure to show
the gross inequalities that exist under
our present assessment laws, and de-
clared that no county in the State
suffered as much as Jefferson from
this cause. The average assessment
per acre, without buildings, in Jefier-
son county is 1854 per acre. In
Harrison county it is but $l5.4l, not
withstanding that county, besides be-
ing rich agricultural and grazing
section, is also underlaid with coal
oil and gas, all of which are largely
produced and the value Of which is
enormous. In Kanawha county the
land is assessed at but 500 an acre,
and yet Ksnawha is perhaps the rich
est mineral county in the State. Mr..
Campbell said ne favored an extra
session of the Legislature to consider
the tax question.
Hon G. NJ. Wetzell, delegate from
this county to the Legislature, ad-
dressed the meeting, He referred to
the Objectionable features OF the pres
ent system, and while he did not fav-
or all Of the tax commission recon-
mendations, in the main he was in ac-
cord with the general ideas presented.
He declared that he would represent
his constituents to the best of his
ability and in accord with his con-
science.
A recess was taken fer dinner, and
at , o'clock the crowd reassembled to
hear Governor White express his ideas.
The Governor was not well, but he
clearly and forcibly presented his
views upon the subject of taxation,
and for more than two hours held the
close attention Of the audience, as he
explained the plan proposed by the
commission and gave his own sugges-
tons as to methods by which reform
could be brought about He said that
the present system Of taxation in West
Virginia was about as bad as it could
be, and that it fell far short of what
our progressive State ought to main
tain. Unnecessary taxation, he de-
clared, was unjust taxation, and be
proceeded to show how reform could
be brought about without hurting any
interest or harming any Of our insti-
tutions. The Governor tavors the alb
clifton of the State tax of Is cents
and the State school tax of 10 cents,
and would substitute FOR these the pro-
posed tax on coal, oil and gas tax
on the gross earnings Of railroads; IL
cense tax on various articles and pro-
LESSONS; increase of the liquor tax
and tax on tobacco license IN short
he said that there were a number Of
subjects for indirect taxation that
could be suggested and properly made
to carry part of the burden.
The Governor strongly opposed the
method Of levying equal taxes upon
assessments so unequally made. He
said that in the ffty-fve counties of
the State there were ffty-hve differ
ent standards of value, and showed
how unjust this feature Is TO some coun-
u. ...-..