Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1904-11-04
Free Taxation
Is Exposed
By Hon. v. B. Archer, a Leader
Among Republican Attorneys
at Wood County Bar.
CLEAR AND CONCISE VIEWS

V. B. Archer of Parkersburg, a
prominent and intelligent Repub-
lican of that city, and should be
perused with interest by all vot-
ers:
The new tax system adopted at
the special session Of the Leg
+ure ensures at least one
thin :: that is the taxation OF real
estate and personal property at
it's market value. AS to the et-
feet of these statutes upon corpor-
ate property, no one knows what
that will be. Therefore, all we
do know is that the owners OF
city property, suburban lots and
farming lands, must necessarily
bear an increased burden OF
taxes. Those who favor the new
system advise us that the new
method of assessing corporate
property will bring up the valua-
ton thereof to an amount equal
TO its market value In other
words, they assure us that while
our houses and lots and our farms
will be increased in value, yet
they assume that the property OF
CORPORATIONS under the new sys-
tenn will be taxed at it's market
value. and that therefore the ef-
feet of the increase in valuation
of our city and suburban lots and
farm property will, by reason OF
the increase in valuation of cor
porate property, not be burden
some. But is there any certainty
! in the result promised?
How are we to know that the
property of corporations will be
assessed higher (outside their lots,
buildings and lands). than they
are under the old aystem? All
that we know is that we are to
be assessed at the market value
of our property, and that this
means practically doubling our
assessment and consequently our
taxes. Not only do we know that
our real estate is to be doubled
in value for assessment purposes
but we also know that our horses,
wagons. farming implements,
household and kitchen furniture
and other visible personal prop
erty will likewise be assessed at
| it's market value, which will like
wise result in almost if not quite
doubling it's value for assess
ment purposes. But the advo-
Gates Of the new system say the
great increase in values will low
err the rate of taxation. But this
is only another surmise. No as
surance can be given that the
owner of visible property will be
relieved by the cutting down of
the tax rate.
The friends of the new expert
ment also assure us that the tax
rate will be so low that the dod-
gers will no longer evade the as
SCISSOR. but will voluntarily come
out with his bonds and invisible
assets, and insist upon being tax.
ed Herewith. Wild conjecture!
Now, why not first adopt sys-
TEN of taxation by which the cor
porations will be required to pay
taxes upon fair and just valu-
alton of the properties of these
corporations, even up to the pro-
portional value now placed upon
our city and suburban lots and
farm lands, then if we find the
valuation for taxation too low we
can raise it, and all will be on
equality.
In other words, before doubling
the assessment upon those who
now bear the burden of taxation,
get the worcestershire property
valued for taxation and assessed
with taxes. Get the corporations
fairly and justly assessed, and
then the rate of taxation will be
easily determined.
Let us make a practical COM
parison of values for reassess-
ment purposes:
The Mountain State Gas COM
pany for the year 1903 was as
sessed in Parkersburg district
with property of the total value
of $33, $40, for State and county
purposes.
Its State and county taxes for
the year amounted to $636.16.
| 7 have it upon information that