The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-30
Hoy, 10 Avoid DoubIc Taxes.


Editor of The Times Dispatch:
Sir,--Can we avoid double iaxcss
Yes; IL this suggested law would be
constltutional: BE 1t enacted by the
General Assembly of Virginia. that all
money deposited In any bank subject
to the tax laws. of this State. and
all bonds or other written evidences
of debt due from any person, firm
or corporation whose principal place
of business is within this state, shall
If this suggestion we're to become
law, It would cffectually prevent pay
Ing taxes twice on thb same proper
ty. 1t would also encourage our peo-
that help pay the expenses OF our.
home government. Still more. ii would
encourage money lenders to accom-
modate our own people who need to
bounds OF our own State. II would
greatly encourage home enterprises.
II, added to this suggested law.
commissioners of the revenue were
yer and paper money in the hands of
taxpayers, 1t would discourage the
boarding of money, and would thus
add much to the volume of money In
actual circulation.
II may be said, however. that com
missioners are required to list all
moneys for taxation. But. as a mat
ter of fact, they do no such thing.
II they mention the subject at all, il
Is done In such manner as to prac-
here on the list, but nobody expects
one to pay taxes on money in actual
possession" Why not pay taxes on
money in actual possession? Shall VIC
the time. more OF a burden thar
otherwise? The same may be truly
said of n large portion OF other per-
sonal property; yet we pay taxes there
such property because IT has a money
value and because 1t Is under pro-
lection of law. And shall we not pay
taxes on money itself. which is equally
under protection of law?
While on this subject Will touch
on "Equalizing Taxation" This is a
difficult question. and needs much dis
cussion. One way. to help in this d.
rection is to cultivate III the tax
payer love of all that makes for
may be willing to bear his just portion
Of the burdens of taxation, and, at
the same time. use his efforts to in
duce others to do likewise.
Many men are really honest at heart,
but they do not show 1t when they
list their property for taxation. Strange
as 1t may seem, there are some hon
est people who feel that all money
people need to have their minds en-
lightened. Some people boast of pay
ing all their honest debts, but they
do not regard taxes as honest debts.
Some people who promptly pay their
tax account as soon IS presented, tax
their wits to .evadc giving a true list
of their taxable property. This strange
conduct is not always due to inherent
d dis hone They simply have we dss
whether in the school room. on the
lecture field, in political campaign.
in the pulpit. or through the printed
page, are largely to blame for the
n9nperiorlnanc cz q duty ron by many
learn in the. school room. through the
press and from the pulpit. it would
seem that the whole dutysof man con-
sists in examining his head with book
and making liberal contributions to
church enterprises. How little we hear
from these molders of public thought
about the. dignity and responsibility
speakers and writer's often picture i,
glowing terms the sublime spectacle
OF lofty citizenship. but when you
analyze such glowing pictures, you find
that the main emphasis Is laid upon the
support Of some political party. Little
honest list of taxable property. In
tho school room how seldom the teach.
or fires his pupils with a pure ambi-
tlon to be a, worthy citizen! Much Of.
pills to the goal of some honorable
office. Preachers are responsible FOL
many false lists fol taxes. Why do
say this? Because they SO rarely preacl
upon the subject of good citizenship
They seem to he afraid OF mixing re.
ligion and politics. If they preacl
from the text Thou shalt love Thy
neighbor as ,,thyself," they never thinl
to Illustrate how such love may BIZ
exhibited In our actions as citizens
}If I list my property below it's casl
value. I am doing my neighbour al
injustice. by forcing him to pay more
than his real share,
II wo ever get equal taxation !
| must come through singh ideals Of
citizenship. The people must be laugh
higher things than to read and write
get rich and hold Office. They mus
| be taught to Give soberly, righteousl,
and godly in. this present world,
| Righteous living must include homes
valuation of taxable property, as vel
as the actual payment OF taxes. 7
must include n discharge OF publ
duties, as we'll as the payment Of pri
/, vate debts. j. A. j. K
| Windsor. Va.
N5 Tho Artists Way.