The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-09-26
DEMOCRATIC TAX PLAN
WOULD TAKE EIGHT YEARS TO.
BRING RELIEF TO THE CLASS
Es NOW oVERsURDENED
WITH TAXES.

lican program. What do they oHe
instead? In their State convention
this year. after having had their can
didate for Vice President Honorable
Henry G.. Davis, 4 their last candi
date for governor. Hon. John j.. Holt
| as members of the Tax Commission
who joined with their Republican col
leagues in unanimously recommend
ing the tax bills prepared by that com
mission? the corne stone of which is
I the abolition of all direct State aXes
and the raising OF the necessary rev
enues to run the State government by
form. utterly rep%udiated the views OF
Davis and Holt.
They ~inferentialIy denounce any
| other system of taxation than the d.
rect tax system. They offer no hope
or encouragement, nor do they breathe
a word of sympathy for the reduction
of State taxes.
If heir platform means anything. 1t
means that our present license and
franchise tax laws are wrong and
should be abolished. According to
their doctrines We doubly tax every
~"licensed'i resident pursuit or occupa-
10 for the privilege and then
on what it has or owns. Hence this IS
not an equal II uniform system OF
taXation for it does not bear equally
upon all persons and property alike.
The Democratic platform means that
direct State taxes should be increased
lv the abolition of the present license
and Indirect axes
Their platform declares that the
ONLY relief the tax payers have from
the Inequalities, iniustices and unfair
ness OF the then existing tax laws, IS
10 pass a law providing for the call OF
& convention to frame a new constr
tuition for the State" The present
constitution. made by the Democrats
themselves. they contend will not per
mi, Just and uniform tax laws to be
passed.
Suppose the Democratic plan OF af-
fordirg tax reform is to be carried
cut. In 1905 the Legislature provides
for submitting the question. to he
people. In 1906 the people at the
general election vote on il and author
ize the convention, In 1905 at the
general election, the people elect the
members of this new body. In 1903
the convention meets and frames a
constitution. with every interest jeal-
ously guarding against any loop holes
for tax reform
In 1910 the people, we will say, rat
ify the new constitution at the general
" 1GfI ,J,- rciGJG / 11sa .
meets to enact the laws necessary to
adjust everything to the new organic
law, and will be in session, 10 doubt.
till late in the fall. BY 1912 the new
laws will be in force. And all this
at large expense to the taxpayers.
And thai is the Democratic pro
gram. No wonder that the people are
astounded. No wonder that the in
terests which now escape any taxation
chuckle with elee. NO wonde that
Hon. John ]. Davis submitted a dis
senting report in the Democratic State
objecting TO the platform
because of its indefinite character
IN the tax question.
On the leading State question be-
fore the people of this State the Dem
have neither a fixed policy nor
an honest and practical solution to
offer for the evils admitted by all to
exist in our tax laws and heir gross
evasion, resulting in throwing an un-
share of the public burdens on
small property owner.
The Democrats simply say wait
years. and let's see what sort
,f Z combination We can get ont of a
constitutional convention and lesisia-
ion by the lnw-n2a5ing power there
Was ever Ct public asking for bread"
siven q harder or fiintier stone?'
The Republican State platform is in
contrast and says that The end
is the abolition of direct State
axes Oh property" And a Republican
legislature III less Than a month aft
or had wiped out siZ-sevent1s OF all
state lakes. reduced county
axes ana opened the door for faireT
assessments of ali Einds Of property,
including those now largely escaping.
with reduced taxation as the certain
Gal. Which parry''s principles on
tax question VIII the sensible tax
of West Virginia approve. Tho
uswer is 10 Ike given in November.