Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1904-11-11
ONE OF THE ABlEST REPUBLICAN
LAWYERS IN WEST VIRGINIA ON
THE DAWSON LAWS. A STATE
MENT TAXPAYERS SHOULD READ

eHe oPeSiat session OF the Legislature,
ENSURES at least one thing. That is
the taxation of real estate and person
al pro- erty az its market value. is
to the effect Of these statutes upon
corporate property, no one knows
what that will be. Therefore all we
do know, is hat the owners OF City
property. suburban lots, and farming
land, must necessarily bear an increas-
ed burden of taxes. Those who favor
the new system advise us that the
new methcd Of assessing corporate
property viii bring up the valuation
thereof to an amount equal to It's
marked 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 system will be taxed at its mark
ct value, and that therefore, the effect
OF the increase in valuation of our
City and suburban lots and farm
property will, by reason OF the in
crease in valuation OF corporate prop
erty, not be burdensome. But Is
There Any Certainty in the Result
Promised
How are we to know that the pfop-
erty OF corporations will be assessed
higher. (outslde their lots Buildings
49, i~i.e'J .nali .ney are unuer the OLD
SYSTEM All that we do know 18th at
we are to be assessed at the market
value OF our property and that this
means practically doubling our ass
essment 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, farm
ing implements, household and
kitchen furniture and other visible
personal property will likew Sc be
| assessed at its market value, which
will likewise result in almost if not
quite doubling its value Tor assess.
meat purt oses. But the advocates oil
the nes sys.eHi say tnat the great in
crease in values will lower Jle rate 81
taxation. Bat this is only another
surlnise. No assurances eau be given
that the owner Of vi ible pf90t-tf
will be relieved by the cutting down
of the tax rate.
The fri@nds OF the new experiment
also assure us that the tax rate will
be so low that the dodgers viii nc
longer evade the assessor, but will
voluntarily come out with bonds and
invisible assets and insist upon being
taxed Herewith. Wild copiecturel
Now why not first adopt system
of taxation by which the corporations
will be required to pay taxes upon a
fair and just valuation, and when we
have succeeded in securing an assess
ment of the properties OF these corpo-
rations, even up to the proportional
value now placed upon cur CITY and
suburban lots and farm lands, then il
we find the Valuation for taxation tos
low We can raise it, and all will be
upon an equality?
In other words, before doubling the
assessment upon those who now bear
the burdens ct taxation, gel The non
assessed property valued for taxation
and assessed with taxes. Get the cor
poratious fairly and justly assessed
and then the rate of taxation will be
easily determined.
Let US make a practical com parison
of values Tor assessment purposes.
The Mountain State Gas Co. for the
year 1908, was assessed in Parkers-
burg District with property of the o
tai valuation of $23,3ro for state and
county purposes.
Its State and county taxes for that
year amounted to $636,I6.
have it upon information that the
income of this Company. for the year
1903. was $I24. 600 at its Parkersburg
Office. s 1@
The income. If stated correctly,
amounts to over 400 per cent. of the
assessed value Of the property, OF this
public corporation,
will now take for further COMPARE
son my individual property.
only own two pieces of real estate
taxable for the year 1908. Ny sire
dence property and office building,
| Il II