West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-11-10
rmE BEEF STEER
And IlOW lie is Taxed by the New
Laws.

aud the neighboring counties, are
engaged in the live stock business,
producing, principally, cattle and
horses. The beef steer is the chief
product 1t is best fitted for market
when three years old, and when SOLD
at three year-old, represents the first
income which the land owner de-
riyes from his land.
Now, let US see what taxes this
present law imposes on the beef
steer, before it is ready for market.
When the calf is born It is assessed
that year by the assessor and tax
paid on il, at the same time the
owner pays tax on the corn and
hay, which the calf consumes, and
he, also, during that year, pays his
tax at this increased valuation, on
the land over which the calf grazes.
The second year, when the calf is
two years old, the owner pays
a tax on the two year old steer, a
tax on the corn and a tax on the
hay which the steer consumes, also,
tax on the land over which it
ranges. The third year, when the
steer is ready for market, but before
IT can be shipped, the land owner
must pay another tax on the steer,
another tax on the corn and another
tax on the hay, which it consumes,
and still another tax on the land
ever which it ranges. Consequently,
when the beef steer is ready for
market and has finally arrived at the
age where the land. owner can con-
vert it into money, and it is sold in
the market and money realized upon
It, the land owner has paid three
taxes on his land at this increased
valuation, three taxes on the corn
and hay which was used to fatten
the steer, and three taxes on the an
lmal itself. Consequently, the beef
steer, At the time it is sold, repre-
sents nine various taxes, which the
land owner has paid on it. This
illustration is astonishing and with
out parallel
And while the farmer is paying all
these taxes on his products, the rail.
road companies are paying no tax
on their products; the gas companies
are paying no tax on their products;
the coal companies are paying no
tax on their products, and the oil
companies are paying no tax on
their products, except the little
which might be in the tank when
the assessor arrives.
This illustration ought to 60 fur
Their: When the calf is assessed the
frsi year, it is probably assessed at
$40; at two years is assessed at $40;
at three years 1t is assessed at $50.
Consequently, when the farmer gets
ready 20 ship it to market, he has
paid taxes on SIoo of value on the
steer, and is compelled to sell the
steer in the market for fifty dollars.
The injustice Of such a system of
taxation is little less than appallingl
We have seen how upon the beef.
steer, under this law, we pay taxes
on one hundred dollars of value on
every steer, sold for fifty dollars, and
three different taxes on its corn and
hay, which it consumes. How much
have we paid on the land over which
it ranges2 1t requires, on an aver
age, at least five acres of grazing
land to fatten a beef steer. Let us
assume that these lands, under this
new law, are assessed at fifty dollars
per acre, this would be a value of
$3.50 per year to be taxed, or a val.
ne Of $3.50 for three years. Now,
not taking into consideration the
annual taxes on the corn and hay.
each beef steer represents a gross
vaue of the farmer. which the State
has taxed Of $3.50, and the steer
realizes, in the end to the farmer,
but fifty dollars. Thus the farmer.
10 order Co obtain fifty dollars in in
come, must pay taxes to the State.
under This law, on a valuation Of
more than $3.50, or screAfeeA times
the value Of the product. This
statement staggers belief
The conclusion is irresistible, that
the present state government is hos
lille To- the land owners and must be
overthrow az the polls. We do not
dare trust these gentlemen any fur
Their II they carry this election
they wi.l consider it a ratification Of
these tax laws by the people. Every
farmer stockman and land owner
MUS, help 90 defeat the Republican
state ticket on the 9Th day Of
November
Well, the Democrats Of Preston
county arc 90 be congratulated this