Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-09-15

this irjustice. Reform in taxation
tbs refore called for tie exercise of
the highest and wisest ststesmanship.
1t should not have been made par.
ty question. bot the democrats made
il one. The republicans demanded
only fair, tousl and just taxation.
that the burdens of taxation should
rest upon all property owners equally
and alike, and especially that the
rich man ard corporations should not
escape paying their just proportion of
taxes. This proposition, this high pur-
pose should not have been opposed by
any political party but encouraged by
all parties, and by all good people.
The democratic party in this cam.
paign must now stand by its record
on the tax and all other questions
lust as the republican party must.
and the people decide between them. =
SOME RESULTS OF TAX RE-
FORM.
What particular results of the new
laws do you especially commend?''
Among the results is the increased
assessment-of railroads TO one hundred
and FORTY millions. from thirty eight
millions, making the assessment of
railroads one hundred and seventy
eight millions equal to that of all
the farm lands in the state. Some say
the assessment is too nigh. and some
railroad companies have gone into
court for relief. as they have right
to do, and the courts will decide, but
whether if is too hieh or not will the
democratic party tell the farmers and
other property owners that it is too
high. Another result, the taxable
property OF the state has been in
creased five hundred million dollars,
teing only three hundred and sixty
millions ander the old law. making a
total Ct eight hundred and sixty mill
ions. Now, eight hundred and sixty
millions carry the burdens of taxation
that was borne by three hundred and
sixty millions before. 1t stands to
reason that this will relieve some tax
PAYERS. 1t cannot be otherwise. 1t
will reduce the taxes of tine farmer,
the small property holder. and the
taxpayer who has property that could
not be concealed or hid away from the
assessor. Another result. in two years
the taxes for state purpose has been
reduced from 35 cents on the hun
bred dollars TO s l-2 cents, a clear re-
duction of 26 | 2 cents on every hun
dred dollars of propery. This is re.
duction and must come off the proper.
ty owners an6 TO this extent they
will pay less taxes. Then again, look
at the results in some of the counties.
TAX REFORMS TRIUMPH.
Take the county of Harrison. foi
instance, and what / say of Harrison
county will hold good. in greater OIL
less degree, in other counties. The
lew for county purposes in Harrison
county has been cut down from 60 tC
10 cents. This in addition to the re.
duction in state taxes. The levy OF
every kind for all purposes in the
county will be 60 1-2 cents as against
50 so on the hundred dollars 10 1904.
Here the levy has been reduced four
times, while the average increase has
not neen nearly so great. The total
amount of taxes levied this year in
Harrison county on an average is IL
Boone county the levy for all pur-
posts is only Al cent on the hundred
dollars. In some districts in Randolph
county the levy for all purposes is
only SO 1-2 cents. Think of paving
only 50. So taxes on one hundred
thousand dollars of property. ! be.
lieve this is the lowest tax in the
United States. There is no answer
to these figures, they sueak for them.
selves, they cannot be denied or ex-
blamed away. Already many proper
~ owners and farmers are able to see
that their taxes will be cut down
from one-third TO one.half, and yet
the democrats denounce in their
platforms and on the stump the tax
laws, while privately some admit the
new tax Iavs are the best thing ever
done for the state. / know there are
complaints that the late assessment
has III some instances been too high
| admit this may be true, but under q
new scheme of taxation mistakes wilt
he made. but such mistakes will in
time be corrected. l am willing TO
pay my fair share of taxes because |
know that on the whole taxes will be
lower, and the burdens will rest light
er on the small property owner and
on the farmer.
Inasmuch as the democrats
opposed tax reform and tie tax laws.
thew must now oppose the results and