Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-08-25

OF cent tonnage Tax on fhelf "a geo Goo
tons ouEnulg Why sioul.i The producers
Of oil aud gas. Who hsse expended in the
development of euf producing fields mon
! ey csl,itHl largely greater IL amnunt than
the aggt egase value II all lie Statr's GA
and gas production. h. Disseminated
against in i=vnr al lie uar.,, si4sent lAud
owners who hold vast sfess 81 our do
main and do noihiug to Increase thu
wealth or advance ihs prosperity 81 the
State
Our coal i sold ID he worsi's markets
At prices fixed by c4mieiiti,, witt the
product Il other States. Why sAouid We
place special aud nnllSnal lurssns afson
lit? Why should Ays>l Virsiri viii. is
future possibilities ~ A gresi mann
turing state, WELD is taxing power TO
strike al The bssis of all industrial devel-
opment-- cheap fuel
Regardless. however. of the particular
subject of such tax, we contend that any
tax on production is wrong in principle
and contrary to enlightened public poll
cy. 1t is in effect tax upon the same
capital over and over again as often as II
appears in the shape Of the product
taxed 1t is a tax on energy and enter
prise, tending 10 retard development and
industrial growth and drive away capital
or force it into ideness.
There are other features Of the pr posed
system which 10 our judgement condemn
it as practical and rational scheme of
taxation.
1t strikes down about 100000 OF the
States revenues. and by it's own beat
showing, with all its determinations and
Inequalities, fails by at least 5000, 600 to
supply the deficit. aud even then it re-
quires the counties to pay at least seven
ty.five per cent ofthe cost Of maintaining
the humane institutions aud seventy
| five per cent Of the criminal charges, now
paid by the State.
| We submit that if the State can dis
pense with 100000, or one fourth of the
present State and State school tax with
nut Gripping its finances, it were better
10 cut down the present tax rate, and 10
continue under the old system and BY
constitutional methods to support its
Charitable and humane institutions and
meet its criminal charger. Certainly
nothing is gained by pretending TO lift
the burden OF State taxation for these
purposes. only TO re impose it again fer
the same purposes by way Of added coun.
/ ty taxes through cumbersome and expen-
sive methods OF collection and settlement
| between the State aud the counties
Moreover we believe it to be chief
function Of State government to properly
safeguard the peace. order and security
OF society by the punishment Of its felons
and the care for its insane, and this duty
20 society at large should not be shifted
in whole or in part upon the counties,
any more than the latter should 10 turn
place the burden upon the individual cit
izen The temptation to let criminals 60
unmolested to save the costs of prosecu-
ton. and to abandon the insane aud 9th.
er uufurlunates to save the expense oI
their proper care and protection, would
be difficult to resist under conditions
prevailing in many counties 10 West Vir-
ginis.
The new plan provides for annual as
easements of real estate, which mus
needs result IN constant litigation, th'
overcrowding Of court dockets with suit
growing out Of inequalities therein, res
~ imaginary, and consequent confusion
aud delay in enforcing the collection o
the levies.
IL requires the assessment Of all rta
aud personal property Of the citizen FOL
county, ds,rict and municipal purpose
G to be at its actual values with the appar
D ent purpose OF enabling the counties I
thus rhlse Tue huuliiobhl fcFchuFo hrScf
sary for the support OF the State institu
9 tions without increasing the tax rate f.
e county purposes. In fact, as an off 81
i to such increased valuations, it rretenf
% to limit the levy for county purposes
d 90 cents on the 800 valuation, yet real
: leaves it open for the county court
'e levy an additional 50 cents for dislri'
D. road purposes, making a possible tot
u Concluded OF fourth page.)