Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-25
IN THE OLD DOMINION
REPORTED WHITES OWN OVER 80
PER CENT OF REALTY.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
RICHMOND. Va. March 24.-The reports
of the state auditor for the last year show
that the white people own more than so
per cent OF the real estate and that of per-
sonal property the whites own s12Oess .12I.
the blacks 1884. 11e relatively less than II
owned by the blacks In real estate The
report established some queer facts Ac-
cordtng TO the figures contained there are
In the city OF Richmond only 5e3 watches
listed for taxation. though the city con-
tsins approximately 10000 people. There
are eight cities In the state which have
moro timepieces than Richmond, Roanoke,
with less than third OF the population
listing 2.36s. Many of the counties exceed
the city In the number of pocket time
pieces. Another interesting point Is that
IN the city where musical culture Is at a
high standard there are few musical instru-
sments. The state levies tax all musi-
cal instruments. yet IN the twenty thou
sand homes of Richmond there are few in
struments. The organs. pianos, harps, cor
nets. violins. mandolns guitars and all
other musical producers make a total of
3ol' The total number of musical instru-
ments In the state. as certified to the audi
tor Is only 3S,964, with total value of
1879, 400
inc STATE HAS within It's borders ~, ~
horses and mues, and these are taxed for
The support OF the government The value of
the horses Is placed at ST., SOL 1902. 1t is sig
flhcant that In making the assessment for
taxes that the people OF the counties have
10 pay taxes on the horses whereas I'm the
elites, in which are to be found the bulk OF
the musical instruments and watches, the
returns are far lighter than that made by
the country people. The tax paid by the
counties on horses and mules exceeds the
actual value Of the watches or pianos and
organs of the state.
The owners of watches and musical in
struments can hide them from the tax as
SCISSORS said a state official In discussing
the figures OF the report. Not so with the
owners Of horses and mules They can be
and are seen every day in the year The
result is that the people of the counties are
made 10 pay more than their share of the
taxes. and the rate is kept higher than it
should he because the people do not make
full and complete returns as required by
law. Something should be done to correct
this abuse and Injustice. The value OF the
personal property of the state is given at
1928 e6I.2 I7. That Is Just about one-fourth
of its actual value. Take the number OF
watches returned in the city of Richmond.
Roanoke has nearly five times as many.
The same Is true of musical Instruments
Any man who knows night from day knows
that deception and fraud are practiced in
making that return And all the lists are
made under oath, too.
State May Lose Taxes.
II has been discovered that the law pro-
vding for the assessment of real estate in
Virginia did not have the necessary ma
jority when it was passed in the senate.
The constitution requires that to pass
measure twenty-one votes shall be In the
affirmative and so appear on the record.
ana in this particular case the record shows
that only nineteen votes We're so cast II
this case Is decided adversely to the state
by the supreme cortland there is no ques-
ton but that that tribunal will be called
upon to pass on the matter-the state will
stand to lose close on to 100000 in taxes
the next five years. The assessments would
all have to stand on the basis OF that of
1900 IL the court holds that the record does
not show the necessary vote TO make the
passage OF the measure legal The as
sessment was made last year, and Is for
five years. The increase for 1900 over 1900
amounted In the aggregate to close to $780,
900 in taxes for the state, the assessment
showing that the Increase in property In
all sections OF the state had been enormous
For several years the farmers or the state
have been complaining that farm labor
could not be had The negroes who for-
rnerIy worked on farms have gone to the
cities and to the north. The result Is that
the farmers have gone TO work on their
own account, and while they do not Gull
ttvate as large areas formerly. they are
installing farm machinery and are doing the
work themselves The result is that there
is an enormous advance IN farm products
there Is falling off in the yield, the farm
ers do not have 20 pay out large sums for
help and they are In a more prosperous con-
dition than for half century. The farm
ers are diversffying their crops. They are
raising their own hogs and cattle. Wheat
and corn for the family are produced and
the farmers do not have to go TO the cities
and buy flour and meal manufactured In the
far west. The money crops are tobacco,
beeves. corn. dairy products, poultry and
the like. The disappearance OF the negro
las wrought wonders and is to the benefit
OF he farmers.
Tobacco Sells High.
Tobacco Is selling high in all the markets
Of the state. This city is handling consid-
cradle loose tobacco. the sales for Thurs
.day being about 100000 pounds. The
prices ranged from $3.50 to So per hundred
pounds for common TO fine fillers
". l.. Haynes OF Pittsylvania county sold
on the Danville market his crop OF tobacco,
more than 10000 pounds. for 500. and ".
NJ. Jennings. a neighbor, who operated a
farm with one .Iorse. sold his tobacco crop
for $1,000 In addition to the tobacco crop
OF these two farmers they raised wheat
corn. oats hogs, cattle and sold large
amount OF poultry and butter.
Roy E. Cabell, named by the President
month ago as postmaster TO succeed Wray
n. Knight. and who for some time hesitated
about accepting the place has been sworn
in, but has not yet taken charge Of the Of
free. Mr. Cabel says he has not determin-
ed who he viii name his assistant, but
there Is a rumor that Mr.. Knight viii be
rendered the place. There are number of
other applicants Cor the position. and Mr.
FabeN will take his time In making the ap-
pontment.
Judge David c. Richardson of this city,
who for years has been the attorney for
the commonwealth and who retired from
mat office the first OF the year. says he is
out OF politics for good. Judge Richardson
has been frequently mentioned as a candi-
date for Congress IN opposition TO Capt
John Lamb. but his announcement leaves
the congressman without opposition. d G.
OFlaherty OF Front Royal was regarded as
possible candidate but he says he cam
not mako the race. Mr.. O'Fiaherty served as
n member OF the constitutional convention
and made n fine record. He Is a good
speaker and very popular.
Colored Teachers Institute.
An institute for the coIored publIc school