The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-11-10

some sIaniheant votes.

~
Some stsnitieans Votes.
Aswas the case in the First dis
trict the Democrats In the Second
district elected to run their campaign
against George c. sturgiss on the tax
issue thereby hoping to gain the sup
port Of enough Republicans, disgrunt.
ed over the tax laws. 10 elect Judge
Dent, as Thomas B. Davis was elected
two years ago:
Very POSSIBLY Judge Dent did get
the votes of the disgruntled. but, he
was also scratched by many Democrats
who are convinced that the tax laws
are sound. When Mr. Lakin. was a
candidate against Mr.. Davis, tax re.
form was largely theory. The voters
had had no experience with 1t, and
in consequence, were ready to listen
to criticism. On last Tuesday the
situation was different. The voters
had had two years practical workings
of the tax laws. Against theory and
criticism, they had actual experience.
And In such aycontest the result could
hardly be anything but favorable 10
Mr.. sturgiss.
The vote of those two rock-ribbel
Democratic counties of Hampshire and
jefferson discloses the folly of the
Democratic managers in making the
tax laws an issue, even though .Hanl1-
shire Is the home OF the leader of the
anti.tay reform forces, John ]. Corn
well, and Jefferson is the home Of
his RIGHT bower. Senator William p
Campbell. Under the old laws the
hand Of the State tax gatherer fell
with unhappy force upon the counties
of Hampshire and Jefferson. Both are
strictly agricultural, the most typical
farming communities In the State.
Each is populated with welI-to.do, con.
tented prosperous people. but IN
neither are there men with vast
fortunes so common in the mineral
counties Under the old tax laws.
their properties were assessed general.
ly from so to rs per cent of its true
and actual value. They paid Stale
taxes on that proportion Of their real
value, while other counties we're pay.
ing on One.tenth to one.third their val,
ue. In other words they we're paying
two or three times their proper share
of State taxes, and being orderly and
well.bchaved. got back practically no.
thing in the way Of criminal charges.
The true and actual value assessment
increased the total valuations in these
counties so to 60 per cent, while Il!
tripled, Nuadrnpled and qHintupled the
assessment of certain other counties
Now, the taxpayers Of these counties
pay on avaIuation increased but little
over 50 per cent. on State tax levy,
which has been reduced more than
three.foRths. To get down to $1,000
basis: Under the old laws every $1,000
worth Of property in these two coun-
ties was assessed at about, $GG0, There.
fore at a So per cent. rate every 81 900
worth Of real value in Hampshire and
jefferson paid 1921 in State taxes, un-
der the new laws with property as
sessed at It's value every $1,000 worth
of property in the two counties at q
State tax rate of S1k cents pays hut
So cents State taxes. The new system
Of taxation has cut the total State
tax bills of the counties almost two
thirds, This saving was direct and
absolute, and bears out the assertion
that the old tax laws unjustly discrim-
mated against farming communities.
How did these counties vote when
the tax issue was raised? In Jeffer.
son two years ago. Stuart W. Walker,
Democratic nominee for Congress had
/ 1856 majority. This year Judge Dent.
Democratic nominee, had but 72S
majority for the same Office. In
Hampshire county, Mr.. Walker had
1881 majority two years ago; this
year Judge Dents majority is but S7l.
It must also be borne in mind that Mr..
Walker was q rather unpopular candt.
date among Democrats. The News
does not know that he deserved his I'M
popularity, but it is merely stating the
fact. Judge Dent on the other hand,
is very popular man. well.known and
well.likel. But he was up against an
lnanswerable proposition and as re.
suit polIel the smallest Democratic
maiorities ever known in the counties
Of Jefferson and Hampshire.
The News agrees with the view thar
State taxation has really nothing to
do with Congress fight, but the
nam6crots c1,ora In make II mn ISSuot