Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1906-10-05
Yes. He Explains.

; Wheeling Intelligence, the leading
Republican newspaper of the State,
that is, in its own estimation:
In the goci old Democratic county
of Hampshire, the home of one John J.
Cornwell, the total assessment of real
estate this year was s., ts3 ,s23. On the
basis of 81 cents per hundred dollars,
the state tax rate, Hampshire county
will pay the State of West Nirginia
$50, 122.5l. In 1904, Hampshire county
real estate WIS assessed al 81, 14i ,l30,
which on the basis of 50 cents per hun
dred dollars paid the State Of West
Virginia S60,0t4. %. The State taxes
of the farmers cf Hampshire county
have been reduced neatly two-thirds.
Where they paid $500 in 1904, they
pay in 1895 only enc dollar.
VIII the Hon, John j. Cornwell
kindly rise and explain?
For the benefit of the Editor OF the
Intelligencer, who made the above cal
cuIatiou, we would explain that 30
cents on the 500, ,aluatlon, under the
old assessment, caused this county to
pay into the State T.easury the snm Of
So, 104, 40, annually, while, under the
present assessment, with the State tax
reduced to 81 cents on the 800, the
county this year will pay S2,1ll.A.
The saving is understood by every
man who has sense enough to read
newspaper or understand it. The State
Treasury is none the worse OIL, but VIII
have at least 100000 more money to
squander this yea. than last. The rail-
roads, which had been practically re-
lieved Of the payment of taxes by prev
ious. Republican Boards, will pay an in
creased tax, while large sums of money
for the payment of criminal charges
and the support of inmates of the State
Institutions, heretofore paid out of the
State Treasury must now be paid by
the counties. which, because of the
limit placed upon them under the new
laws, must stop public improvements,
allow bridges to go unbuilt and roads
unrepaired, in order to pay these
charges heretofore paid by the State, In
| oIder that the State Tax could be re-
duced and this apparent reduction in
taxation made.
The Editor of the Review has never
contended that the State tax would not
be less when reduced nor that the coun-
ties would pay no direct State tax
| when the State tax is entirely abolish
| ed. To make such a contention would
prove us as ignorant as the Editor OF
the Intelligencer. On the other hand
| he stated at all times, and everywhere
during the campaign of 1904 that the
reduction in the State tax provided for
would make taxes temporarily lower.
| but he asked and asks now, where will
the money come from to run the State
Government when the balance of the
! direct State tax is removed, as 10 now
provided by law? Will the Intelligent
Ger please raise and explain? VIII all
| the rest Of the State charges be saddled
upon the counties? If they are when
the limitation upon them now, for pol
itical purposes, is lifted, the county
tlxes will be sickening. 1t is the case
of laughing last to laugh best.
The editor of the Review has contend
ed all along and contends now, that
true tax reform means tax saving, a re-
duction Of useless and extrayagant ex-
penditures and not tax shifting or
postponement of taxes. There is not a
county in the State that will not be in
debt when this fiscal year is at an end,
nor one where public improvements
will not be at standstill, all for the
purpose of this reduction in the State
tax for campaign purposes in the com
ng election, to secure a Republican
Legislature and re-elect Senator FL
kins.
Five years will be necessary to figure
the ultimate and final results of the
new system. We are content TO wait
for q vim a ioa flor, IF aur ,oa;tion