The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1904-07-29

Il
The public interest in these matters has
developed such general and intelligent
understanding OF the whole subject as e
demand and warrant action by the law
making power.
Some months ago n committee Of ten
Of the prominent citizens Of our State
was created to take up the report and
recommendations Of the Tax Commission
and to formulate therefrom, if possible
-uch measures As would give the people
relief from part or all of the direct taxes
now levied for the support OF the State
government, secure many of the admin.
istrativc reforms OF the Tax Commission
measures, which all could agree upon
and to reach basis for present and i'm
mediate action, which would permit the
people to pass upon the question o.
authorizing the entire abolition OF di.
rect State taxes, through 4 constitution
nj amendment A subcommittee of
four. OF these eminent citizens Of ou1
state. in the persons of Hon. w. p
Hubbard, Hon. A. G. Dayton, Hon
Reese Blizzard and Hon. G. C. Sturgiss
was appointed to take this work in hand
! The result of their deliberations, in
cluding tine Tax Commission bills as
amended by them and several new meas
urcs, was placed in my hands on the
first day OF July. and after careful
consideration of the same / determined
to lay these measures before your body
and to ask for them your favorable con
sideration. / believe they are great
step towards fairer and more equitable
system of taxation aud disbursements
of revenue, while the administrative re.
forms provided therein are very de-
sirable. The bills of the Tax Commits
ion are taken as basis and, believe
tmenty-four Of them recommended, some
without material or any amendments
and others with important amendments
In converting the Legislature in eX
traordinary session at this time for thu
purposes above mentioned and in asking
yonr favorable action on the proposed
bilh. Of the Committee OF Four (which
have been printed and which accompany
his message and which ask to be con.
sidercd in connection therewith) it is
|, felt that the expense and trouble of
holding such special session are amply
warranted by the great good sought te
be accomplished for the people.
Among the measures proposed by the
Committee of Four is a joint resolution
proposing an amendment to tine Consti-
tuition, by adding Section to Article
Mi. MS follows:
Section I. The Legislature may levy
or refrain from levyfng State and State
school taxes on real and personal prop
erty. and if such taxes be not levied
there shall be no forfeiture of land un.
der the next preceding section for the
failure to have it charged with any such
taxes"
This amendment is proposed because
in the opinion of some lawyers it would
be unconstitutional or unsafe to take of
all direct State taxes on property. II
this amendment should become part OF
the Constitution these objections would
he removed and the power of the l.egis.
latrre in this respect undoubted.
If the Legislature approves OF the
submission OF this amendment. permit
ing the abolition of all direct State tax
Is. the people can vote on the same thi
fan md tpus register thrir wishes "
his matter two years earlier than il
10 specinl -e,sisn hal been had. Til
:'eue, IN my estimation. iuztities IL,
call for The session AZ this time.
II shc Legislature approves The bill
submitted herewith the reduction in til,
direct State taxes in 1905 viii hc clever
cents md in 1905 annt-cr eleven cents
thereby reducing in two yanr- the Ii
rect State anil State school taxes frcn
thirty-liye cents on the hundred dollar
- thirteen cpnts Thi- reduced taxa
tion should be ,uactel into law now
and by the present legislative body;
and. II tni- il done. lie expense nj hel!
! ing special session is saved times ovci
in every one u TIE many year, to come
But this Is not Ill If tho tax reduc
tions proposed Tie bills provide no.
only Tor the aggregate reduction q,
twenty-five cents OF direct taxes i,
4 1905 and 1905. but also provide that 20,
''the year 1905 and II rcafier'' then,
shall be no state nor State s.alool .nxs
levied. provided ;hlt he proposed can
st!tutinnal amendment is ratified by tn
people this fan. The goal in sight il
three years : the abolition Of an dire
state and State SCHOOL axes. ii the pso
p!" wan; = 50; TINS doing away Will
Hefs