The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-13
SAYS GOVERNOR
IS DELINQUENT. ] Il EN-
"A Danville Paper Charges Him
With Non-P;aynent OF
Taxes.
INQUIRY BY Mr.. u! PATRICK
By Mr.. PATRICK,

~ ~ .
Mr.. William Patrick, a lawyer Of the
Staunton bar, recently addressed an In
quirysto Mr.. X. A. 4 James, editor Of the
Danville Register, asking the latter to
search the records ana discover II It were
true, as reported In his section, that
Governor Montague was delinquent In tho.
payment Of his poll taxes In recent years.
Mr.. James prints the letter Of Mr.. Pat
rick, and makes the following answer
through both n his sf pa pers, #the Register
and the Bee: rs: u vi YgS
THE public records ofAthe treasurers
office @of Pittsylvanin county show the
following: .
7755..ro October n 16, 1908 Az ]. & Montague
paid poll taxes for 4. the years 1885, 1897. 1898.
1899, 1880, 1901 and 1902, sl1.03,' or back
scapitation tax for seven years, s10.5O,
and tspenalty, fifty threo cents. making
$1l.09. ii
'"rhe records show that he has since
regularly paid his poll or head tax for
tho years 1903 and 1904, but no personal
property taxes for these years nor for
the year 1902. n
.The records of the county further show
that when the Governor sent his check
Z for the seven years back poll tax in Oc-
al property taxes for the previous year,
which, with the years 1903 and 1904, are
still unpaid. 8
80 far as the personal property re-
cords show, Governor Montague has not
owned or paid taxes on SO much as an
Ingersoll watch since 1901. 4s
"Mr Montague gave in and paid taxes
on 900 income In 1881 He has not paid
any income tax since 1897, nor for the
previous year, 1886.
"The writer's examination Of the re-
cords did not extend further back than
1896, incluslve.-Editor."
Could Not Be Reached.
Governor Montague was In Southwest
Virginia last night, and could not pc
reached in order to be given an oppor-
tunity to- make statement, II ne SO
desired.
Els close friends here. however, declare
that their absolute knowledge is to the
effect that the Governor has discharged
all his obligations as q c!tizesl, and they
do not seem at all disturbed at the cor
,respondence. 1t was stated at the Gov,
ernor's office that prompt settlement had
been made Of all tax bllls assessed
against and presented to the Governor at
all times
Governor Montague will return here to-
morrow or Saturday.
While declaring in no uncertain terms
that the Governor has not been thus de-
3llnquent In the discharge Of the duties
OF citizenship, those closest to him said
they would prefer to prepare no state
,nent on tho subject, but ollet this come
from the Governor himself upon his re-
turn to the city.
All Paid Up Here.
An investigation into the matter OF
taxes against the Governor in this city
shows. according to the books of the
commissioner Of the revenue, that this
officer regularly assessed his personal
5property for taxation from the time no
came here as Attorney General until
he went into the Governors Mansion,
and the books OF the treasurer and city
collector show that all these taxes We're
promptly paid Following out the GUS
tom heretofore prevailing as to the as.
sessment OF property In the mansion
under former Governors, which property,
belongs to the state, the commissioner
saws he has not assessed property there
during the incumbency OF the present ex-
ecutive.
The statement of Mr.. James shows that.
all tho poll taxes assessable against tho
Governor up to date have been settled.