The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-10-13

! 100000 The stock brokers, license
is $4,000 and for conducting a bucket
shop $4,000; for sale of tobacco in
any form, other than cigarettes, $500;
with cigarettes $1,000; junk dealers
will have to pay s25.sS; to sell trading
stamps the tax is $4,000; TO main
tain or occupy houseboat $1,000; to
maintain a slot machine. other than
gambling devices. s5.0O,~r to sell at
wholesale revoIvers, pistols, slung
shots, etc, 100000 and at retail
$4,000: pawn brokers 100000
There are many other license taxes.
The new license taxes are included
among those enumerated above. The
law it is believed will raise in new rev.
enue as much money as a u or -
cent direct tax levy would raise. Goth
er laws raise additional new rev.
enues.)
State Taxes Reduced.
The important feature of this act,
however, is the fact that it reduces
our present direct State taxes of 80
cents on the 500 by eleven cents in
1905, and an additional eleven cents
in 1906 and an additional eight cents
in 1907. leaving only a direct State tax
of five cents after 1907, which shall be
devoted to the public schools 1t will
thus be seen that the Legislature has
provided for wiping out siX-sevenths of
the direct taxes of the State inside of
the next three wears This of itself is
a magnificent achievement.
The proposed constitutional amend
ment. permitting the total abolition of
all direct State taxes, was defeated by
the Democrats, Including Senator
CORNWELL, the Democratic candi-
date for governor. This measure re-
CURED a two-thirds vote, and as the
Republicans did not command major
ity of the House they were unable to
pass il over the solid Democratic oppo-
ston- Every Republican in the Less
lature voted for the measure, and they
were unanimous, apparently. in their
desire 10 eventually abolish all State
taxes. Not being able TO do this the
did the next best thing.
After 1906 the State taxes are only
five cents which is to be devoted ex-
for the State school purposes
until such time as the constitution
is amended and thus permit all direct
State taxes to be abolished.
Assessment of Taxes.
The act (chapter four) relating TO
the assessment of taxes and also to
create the office of Tax COMMISSIONS. |
is the longest as we'll as the most i'm
Dortant one. 1t occupies sixty-six |
If laws in regard to the assessment of
axes. 1t provides for a better system
IF assessors and assessments. The
1H1ce of Tax Commissioner, which is
treated. is an exceedingly important
;tep and creates for the first time III
he States history head to the tax
ewing and tax collecting system of
he State. This Office is destined to be
me of the most important offices in
he State, and viii amply Justify the
wisdom of the Legislature in creating
I. The appointment of the Tax Com
missioner is by the governor for six
ears, and he is ineligible to reap
ointment
All property. real and personal, must
hereafter be assessed at it's actual
alue. After 1909 the real estate shall
e assessed annually by the county
The assessor collects The
OIL or caDitation tax. He is supposed
0 do this at the time he obtains the
st from the taxpayer. He has the
anne right 10 distrain for this tax that
he sheriff has. In case the assessor
Oes not collect it and the sheriff
hOuld subsequently collect it, the as
essor must pay a commission to the
heriT for SO doing. 1t is estimated
lat the State will derive from this
md alone from forty to sixty thou.
and dollars in excess of what it has
cretofore collected. Railroad, car
nc, telephone, telegraph and pipe line
)mpanieS viii be assessed at their
ctual value by the Board of Public
'orilS, TO which they must make their
.turn hereafter. (Only railroads have
.ported hitherto) Banks are required
} return for taxation their capital ;
ocE, surplus and undivided profits
ter deducting real estate and such
her exemptions as may be author
ed by law; or they may elect to
I'VE the shares of stock assessed to
e owner thereof, in which event the
ares shall be assessed at their mar. :