Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-10-06


science is being quickened, there
closer scrutiny OF manifest oficis
propriety which so frequently leat5N
public scandal The people are beginning
TO look with marked disapproyal upon
the conduct Of officials who overstep the
bounds of proPriety in their transactions !
with special interests. They viii doubt /
less observe with a distinct sense OF
disapprobation and suspicion the strenu-
Gus efforts of the beneficiary and rcpre-
sentative of a great number of coSpors<
lions 10 obtain the office of chief
tive of the State and at the same
retain in his hands their attorneys
the large fees which such emf
brings TO him in personal way
corporations are the creatures OF
are amenable TO il. and have
instances interests and motives
Quire at time ats restraining
public welfare, and il is apparel
except those whose vision Is cid
self interest that the complete
ment of the executive office from
fluenee of such organizations is
lv necessary 10 conserve the W.
the people and comport with
dignity that should attach to Il
office.
$4,000 Expended With What 4
From FIRST to last, nearly $500,
been expended in the futile
amend the tax laws. The total
expenditure has produced no tang
suit. Railroads despite menaees -
been assessed another dollar on the n
traTy, they have been eNonerated froS
about $4,000 they have heretofore PAL
annually for State and State school tal
if the reduction in these items reall
means anything. Neither coal, oil MOI
gas was subjected to additional taxa
ton. In fact, the sum total of result
in tax reform so far accomplished IA
been simply TO give another turn TO q
wheel that grinds out taxes from the far
mer and men of small means, by doub
and trebly increasing the valuation
their properties.
The Democratic Party and True Refcis
Though the Tax Reform agitation q
iginally was the result of the necessi
of the Republican administration for
greater amount Of revenue 20 meet
extravagant appropriations, and alth
we have seen the public sentimep
voked by the Tax Reform NOV
seized upon by Mr.. Dawson to be us
sincerely and with the articles on
deinagogue 10 advance his political D.
billions, yet the discussion of the ques.
tion has indicated to the minds of man
conservative citizens that IL is desirab
and practicable 10 devise real and sui
stantial improvements in our tax law
The Democratic party in its platform d
clares that such reforms in taxation shA
be made without discrimination agains
any interest or class-that equality o
right with equality Of burden may pr2
vail How far it may 60 in the direct
of extending licenses and other indiN
forms of taxation will depend upon ho}
far such methods may 90 without woT1
ing hardships and injustice upon
class of citizens or expressing or cril
any business or industrial I'M
Under its platform declarations
accordance with its practice, theN
cratic party is pledged to repeal the7
of the recent extraordinary session OF u
legislature which unfairly increases III
valuations of the farms and homes
the people, thereby unjustly discriminat
ing against this species of taxable prop
erty in the distribution OF tax burdens
Nor will the Democratic party deny 10
that class of its citizens engaged in agi-
cultural pursuits, those exemptions from
taxation of farm products and live stock I
which have been regarded from the foun
dation Of the State as fair and equitable,
and which are now for the first time, by~(
act OF the extraordinary session, made !,
assessable for purposes Of taxation.
Whatever may be the exigencies Of thS
State treasury, the Democratic party viii
not, through it's tax collectors, pursu
the products of the soil remaining unsold
on the day OF assessment-the meal ~
the tub, the calves in the field, nor the
chickens in the barnyard. II viii bring,
to the subject Of reforming and admin!
istering our tax laws that patriotism, I
intelligence and conservatism which en-
abled il for nearly a quarter OF a cen
fury during which period Il built up
and maintained the splendid State insii.
buttons IL turned over 10 its successor 10
1897, 10 administer State affairs and
keep out Of debt at a rate OF levy on an
assessed value Of property which brought
il but One-half the revenues that now
End their way into the State treasury
During this period the State enjoyed its
greatest prosperity. Frugality and ef.
ficiency marked the administration OF
every department Of government. Sal
aries and fees were only commensurate
with labors performed, and no interest
or class was placed under political obliga'
tions for fayors received or under duress
10 assist in promoting the political am
billions Of party leaders and those In
trusted with public place. No property
interest was assailed or threatened. nor
was the taxing power of the State EN-
ployed to create monopoly in any bust
ness. nor was legislation offered for sale
at the State capitol as openly as turnips
in a city market.
Appropriations Have Doubled In Eight
Years.
The aggregate Of all State appropria-
tions for the last four years Of Demo
cratic administration was 5000 $50,
while the aggregate Of appropriations for
the last four years Of Republican ad-
ministration was S5,l55,696. Compare
these figures! In eight years Of Repub.
lican rule the appropriations have prae'
tieally doubled ia amount. With such
ooIosaa1 aud fueYc,fsahi aatravaOauoe L.