West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-01-21

w 4. Hubbard Of the Wheeling Bar
in regard 10 his address before the
Editorial Association at Charleston
last September. will effectually
squash some OF the misreprcsents-
lion in regard 10 the uatter--
LAW OFFICES
HUBBARD \ HUBBARD.
WHEELING. w. VA
Aug. 8, 1908
My dear Sir
acknowledge your kind and cor
dial invitation 10 deliver an address
before your association on the sub
| ject Of State taxation and the work
as outlined and developed by the
recent State tax commission When
the report and bills prepared by that
commission had been submitted to
the Governor, felt that / was not
called on to take any further active
part in the matter, and certainly not
to figure in any public discussion as
an active advocate of the measures
proposed By the commission. All
that occurred to me as proper TO
say on the subject was embraced in
that report. and as have no other
or further interest in the matter
than any other tax payer, | have
not seen the need, OF even proprie-
ty, Of any further expression from
me on the subject. Having already
| given considerable time and work.
and not being anxious to invest any
more, my inclination has been to
leave the matter where 1t is, as far
as am personally concerned.
Certainly | could not undertake to
appear as chairman of that commits
sion, which is functus officio, or in
any way to speak for it.
In doing the work. however, that
was imposed upon me as a member
of the commission. l became some
what interested in the subject, and
naturally was obliged 10 investigate
1t more carefully than would Others
who were not charged with that
duty, and if you think your associa-
ton would be Interested TO hear
whatever might have to say on the
general subject of taxation in West
Virginia, as an individual and not
as a member of the late commission,
leaving me free hand, not holding
me responsible for anybody else's
views, or holding anyone else re-
sponsible for mine, should not
feel at liberty 10 decline your inyi-
tation.
| should not try to talk on this
subject with the idea or wish OF
impressing my own ideas upon any
body, or insisting upon any particu-
lar plan, but rather in the hope of
helping 10 create an interest in the
subject on the part OF men who are
capable of doing their own thinking
about it, and Of impfessing others
with their views, SO that they would
do that thinking for themselves and
make their conclusions known to
the public,
| hope you will not consider me
ungraeious IN attempting thus to- i'm
pose limits on an invitation which
is as earnest aud cordial as yours,
but should not be willing to under
take to talk upon the subject in any
way which, might leave anyone un-
der the impression that was assum-
ing TO speak for anybody but my
self.
Kindly let me know whether you
would care TO have me undertake
this matter in the way / have out
lined, and If you should do so,
please letme know on whst day Of
your session, which commences
September 9th, you would expect
the address, and further, how long a
time in your judgment could appro-
priately be occupied by such an
address.
If the suggestions have made
should change your wishes in the
premises, please do not hesitate to
say so, because, to be candid, my
own ease and comfort would be
better served by saying and doing
nothing, and my willingness to I'M
dertake anything along the line you
suggest is simply because l feel
that ] ought 10 do So when others
pay me the compliment of inviting
it.
ltgives me pleasure to note the
personal interest you evince in the
matter, and ! could wish that it were
shared by all the gentlemen OF your
profession in the state. With full
appreciation of the courtesy to my
self involved in your request, am,
Yours sincerely,
w. p HUBBARD.
]. Slidell Brown, Esq.
Pres. W. Va Editorial Association,
| kinQwOod w Va