West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-10-24
Afraid to Meet the Issue.

All diu 10 WCct Inc Us Sue.
II is not hard to discern the OBJ
ject of the Preston County Journals
abusive attacks upon those who do
not train with the local ring and the
statehouse machine. In its villain
Gus attacks II has a sinister motive,
besides relieving itself Of its per-
sonal spleen. 1t has information
that the political machine, which it
worships, has not made good its
promises TO the people and it has
been advised to not discuss the tax
laws or try to explain the necessity
for The enormous state appropria-
tons, as such a discussion would be
the means of calling attention to the
shortcomings of the promised "busi-
ness-like and economical admins.
tration." Nor has the promised
assessment of the corporations ma
terialized. Much emphasis has been
placed upon the assessment of GER
tam corporations, but concerning
the assessment of other corporations
the local organ is painfully silent.
Why is in Is it because the local
organ thinks they have been given
an immunity bathI
The Standard Oil Company was
assessed $40, 900, 900 in 1896, which
was under the new tax laws. In
1907 the same company is assessed
at S32, 900, 900. Here is corpo-
ration whose property doubled in
one short year. 1t don't look rea.
sonable that The Standards holding:
in West Virginia would double in
value in one year.
Then we have the Pure Oil Com.
pany, which is a rival of the Stand
ard, and has been fighting the
Standard tor several years. In Ioot
this company was assessed at SI6o,
900 and In 1907 at 81, $50, 600, thu:
the Pure OIL Company is assessed
almost ten times higher in 100;
than it was in 1906. 1t is hard &c
believe that this company's propert,
increased ten times in value in one
year. The other corporations tina,
were assessed at the "true and act
ual value" in 1906 were assessed a,
the same figures in 1907.
Now, If the Journal will diyest
itself of its personal abuse it may be
able to satisfactorily explain to the
taxpayers of Preston county why
this discrepancy in the assessment
oil the corporations. 1t will never
be able to convince the people oil
Preston county that 1t is the arch
enemy of corporations which it pro.
fesses to be by personally villifying
those whose eyeslght is so perfec,
that they do not have to be fura.
ished stained glasses to discern day.
light from dark.
There is an honest difference OF
opinion as to the relative value OF
property in West Virginia. The
board of public works has assessed
that part of the property which has
been assigned it by law at what the
board believes to be the true and
actual value" of said property. Now,
every Other mortal, it matters not
how humble his station in life, is as
much entitled to his opinion as the
board and the assessor. And that
no injustice might be done the prop
erty holder the law has provided a
tribunal whereby the property holder
may appeal from the assessment
placed upon his property by the
board and the assessor, thus recog-
nizlng that the board and the as
SCISSOR are simply mortals like our
selves and are liable to err in their
judgment. But il we demur FROM
the assessment of the board and
assessor we are characterized as
"tax dodgers" and "hirelings." We
appeal to reason and justice, and
not prejudice, if this is not unfair
and uncalled for in the discussion
OF public questions where our per
eonsitv doc, No. o.,