Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1904-11-11

Jaw tue VALUATION no
DOUBT VII be doubled aud I will be
assessed at probably SIS. 900 to $40, j
ooo..
But will the Gas Co. be assessed at
any higher valuatiou9
ooIcci to doubli ug the valuation
OF my assessment until the Gas Co.
Is taxed at valuation in proportion
TO what my property is valued at, at
this time.
only use the Gas Company as an
example not through any amimosity
whatever. 1t is only awaiting itself OF
Inc system Other corporations are
paying taxes upon an equally made.
quate valuation.
Would 1t not be fair to the farmer
and owners of City and suburban real
estate, before doubling their assess
nents to affect an actual assessment
and collection of taxes upon corporate
property now practically exempt, at
TAR valuation, rather than doubly
burden the land owner and promise
to assess the corporations some time
III the future2
1t is claimed that the new laws will
compel depositors in our banks who
now escape taxation, to list their de-
posts Tor assessment purposes or
withdraw their money from the banks.
WIN these depositors who are leaving
their money in the banks st !, per cent
list the same to be taxed a, az per
cent? Will not this class withdraw
such money, send 1t beyond the State,
or invest it in bonds which cannot be
reached by taxation2 VIII not the
effect be to SO reduce the deposits as to
cut down the loans now being made
by the. banks of this character of de
posits to such an extent as to serious.
ly cripple the commercial interests OF
the Slater
In recent decision OF the Supreme
Court of the United States, the valid
ity Of } ne Indiana Statute, taxing the
property OF express companies was
passed upon. and while that Court
did not hold that the Statute wa, I'M
constitutional, it did hold that the
practical administration of the law by
the authorities of that State deprived
the express companies Of rights Sc
cured bv the Constitution
FARGO vs. HART. 1888 U. S 400.
The new Statue of West Virginia is
practically the same as the Indiana
statute. This decision was handed
down March 81. 1904, and it's effect is
to uusettle the rules heretofore adopted
by the authorities administering the
corporation TAX laws of many states
which are known as the unit system
aud which system the Special Session
adopted as a means Of taxing public
service corporations.
NO DOUBT WHEN THE NEW
SYSTEM is ATTEMPTED TO BE
ENFORCED AGAINST THE COR
PORAT1ONS THEY WILL. RESORT
TO LEGAL PROCEEDINGS LIKE
THAT IN FARGO VS.. HART BY
MEANS WHEREOF THE ASSESS
MENT AGAINST THESE COMPA-
MES WILL BE ENJOINED AND IT
WILL REQUIRE YEARS TO DE-
TERMINE THE CONSTITUTIONS
Atty AND VALIDITY OF THE
ASSESSMENT.
But in the meantime the farmer,
and city lot owner will continue to
bear the burden of taxes but at double
the former valuation. Why not let
this class alone until the rev corpor-
alton tax system shall be put into
practical effect1
The decreased amount of taxes we
are informed, is not necessary for
State purposes. The only object, we
are told. is to equalize taxation.
As to the limit Of Coo on the $Ioo
for county purposes, if the contention
of the friends OF the new method is
sound. then in counties such asWood,
the road system must be abandoned.
II 90 per cent. includes the District
levy for roads. then as Wood county
imposes soc for county purposes alone.
outside OF roads. no district in Wood
county will be allowed more than a
Ioc rate for road purposes. The effect
will be that there can be ne new roads
onanad nor ca.. e. III - L. 49,