The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-10-08
ALONG RIGHT LINES.

The Parkersburg News probably pre-
SCENTS discussion of the tax question as
able as any that has been advanced. ii
has been dwelling on the various fea.
lures in detail, showing much versatility
OF the subject matter. That it is max.
ing careful research Of the question and
especially Of the tax commissions bills
no one who reads doubts. Tile following
is but one Of its many able editorials
on the subjects
The tax commission bills are without
champion. Even Governor White ad.
mits they are incomplete, if not other
wise imperfect. Neither the report OF
the commission, nor the bills themselves
refers to railroads. Ii the proposed bills
had been enacted the effect would have
been to absolutely exempt railroads from
state taxation. The governor deyotcs
the greater part OF his discussions to
railroads and to other matters upon
which the tax commission was silent
thus indirectly condemning the report
and rejecting upon the commission it.
self. The slogan is not TAX Commits
sion Bills as heretofore, but TAX Re.
FORM AS to the necessity Of tax re.
form il will be difficult to provoke a
discussion. Every intelligent person
realizes that the present system, as ad.
ministered, is unsatisfactory; that the
burden Of taxation is uncqually borne;
that the present system of assessment is
faulty both as to real and personal prop.
crty, and permits tile escape of the
greater part of intangible property. No
corporation in the state will attempt
to cyade reasonable taxation if levied
on all alike; other states have expe.
rienced but little difficulty in arriving
at such basis. The one thing that has
caused the difficulty in this state is
discrimination. just so long as certain
species of property are singled out and
attempted to be saddled with taxation.
while other species are exempted or ia,
word, just so long will the controversy
continue in vain. As a matter of fact.
lax reform on proper basis has no op.
ponent. The opponents of the tax com.
mission report are not the opponents OF
tax reform. Since the tax commission
bills have been dropped, there is but
one real issue, and that is direct ns
against indirect taxation for state pu.
poses. Coy. White is an advocate of in,
direct taxation, and it is the burden Of
his speech"
Anyone who follows Governor White
in his debates and discussions of the sub.
iect readily finds that the statement that
he admits that the tax commissions
bills are incomplete is absolutely cor.
rect. The reader will also find the al.
lusion made to the railroads strictly
truthful. Also the declaration that
there is some necessity for certain
amount of reform in the tax system Is
right No one denies it. No one objects
10 it. In some instances it may be that
the law is not properly administered, but
that is not the fault OF the law, and
in many instances not the fault of the
officers. 10 the contrary, oftentimes II
is the fault Of the people themselves.
many of whom evade the law and are.
in position to evade punishment also.
The present system, if faulty, is cspcc.
tally so as to intangible property and
no one knows it better than the Governor
ought to, but the substitute offered by
him is no better than what we have,
even not so good. 1t is correct that
opponents Of the tax commissions bills
are not opposed to such tax reform as
will be beneficial and bring about an
equalization of taxation, or in other
words. be the means OF every man, rich
or poor, paying according TO his worth
which means an equal basis. The dec.
laration that the lax commission bills
have been dropped seems also to be true,
if the words of those who are advocating
the alleged tax reform are TO be accepted
as an indication of the real intentions
~. those who have been pushing the
bills. And as to direct or indirect taxes,
the custom hasnver benin state matters
direct. To say the least, the other would
be experimental and might prove very
dangerous Again, there appears to be
no occasion for the change, !