The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-12
HOW TO CALL TlMEs.p1sPATcH
SATURDAY. JANUARY 10, 1907.
The love which starts from beauty
OF face ernobles Itself at last into love
for beauty OF soul.-Rictter.
The Tax Problem.

The Tax Problem.
In his message to the Legislature
Governor Glenn, of North Carolina, paid
special attention to the subject of taxa
ton. 1t was recently disclosed by the
auditors report that property in North
Carolina was assessed in many instances
at merely a nominal value, and that as
a consequence many counties were draw
money than they We're paying ina con-
dition which exists in Virginia also.
Governor Glenn told the Legislature that
the law should be so revised as to bring
about a uniform rule whereby property
should be assessed for taxation at its true
money value. IF this were DONE" said
he, instead of tax valuation in the
State aggregating s46l, 5oO,66S, the grand
total would be billion dollars. making
possible a much lower rate of taxation.
Amend the law SO list-takers shall make
every taxpayer give, under oath, all his
realty. wherever situated, at its true
money value. the list-taker to take tes-
timony of others touching tho value of
the property where thought advisable.
and submit the whole report to the board
of equalization by whom the valuation
shall be finally fixed
The rule in Virginia is fixed by the
Constitution, and it is that all taxable
property shall be assessed at fair
market value.
We have also statute on this sub
ject, which Judge Hutton. of the Twen-
ty-third Judicial District, is enforcing,
Section 5oS of the Code provides:
That it shall be the duty of tho judges
OF the circuit courts and corporation
courts. at the term next succeeding the
return by the commissioners of their
several books of assessment, to charge
the grand juries impaneled by them to
examine said books of assessment" and
further provides what are the duties of
the grand irry in reference to these
books. IT charging the grand jury of
Washington county, Judge Hutton said
that 1t was his duty under oath of Office
to call the attention of the grand jury
10 that statute. and that it was the duty
of the grand jury, without fear. favor
or affection, according TO their oath, to
execute the same" After some remarks
in explanation and in defense of the in
come tax law, Judge Hutton said that mo
matter what view any individual judge
might take. the courts had nothing to
do with the wisdom of the law" That"
he continued. SIS. a matter for the Legis-
lature. and it would be manfestly i'm
proper in the courts, a coordinate de-
partment of the government, to criticize
the acts Of the Legislature, another CO.
ordinate department of the government,
even IL the court did not agree to the
wisdom of the legislative action. But
in this case, gentlemen, I deem it my
duty TO say that the provisions in our
Constitution and laws for an income tax
meet my most cordial approval. A reas-
enable income tax, in my Judgment, is
a proper tax. A man for
tunate enough to have an income in ex-
cess of six hundred dollars, after deduct
ing what the law permits him to deduct,
can much moro easily pay his taxes, in
fortunate nelghbor who makes only six
hundred dollars; and it does not seem to
be very great hardship that the law
should taka one dollar out OF a hundred
f1y
protects his family, his property and hir.-
self. especially when his interest in the
hand of tho government is
greater"
We have often expressed the opinion
that there is no tax more fair than the
income tax in Virginia. for 1t simply takes
from man n portion of his earnings in
excess OF $500. 1t is certainly more fair
than the tax on property which yields no
income. But. be that az 1t may, the in
come tax is as much lawful tax as
the tax on real and personal property OF
any other subject. and the law should
be rigidly enforced, or it should be- re-
pealed 1t is a shame TO compel some to
pay and allow others to escape.
In concluding his parting address to the
grand jury, Judge Hutton said.
Every man should give In his properly
for taxation according 70 the law and
under his oath. and If he fails to do IT,
the law is right in fixing penalties for
the failure.
There are doubtless many inequalities
N the assessments of property, and this
Ia to be regretted. but this Is not thu
fault of the law, The Constitution and
The law provide that all assessments nr
real estate and tangible personal prop
erty shall be at their fair market value,
except where 1t Is otherwise especially
provided, 1 said TO YOU In my charge when
yon Were impaneled. / did not believe
that any great number Of the citizens of
our county Would Intentionally refuse 10
give IN their property for taxation. and
am gratified 70 know from your report