The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-01-11

form. SO tnat Inc owners OF ~ Could
figure exactly what their taxes would
be. ! think we have got the rate on
the average less than one per cent,
and should keep Il down to that; bnt
it Is necessary that more power should
be given TO the State Tax Commission.
er, in order TO get this property and
other property on the books. / again
urge earnestly upon you the consider
alton of the principle that you must
put with every law full authority.
power INT means for its enforcement
The State Tax Commissioner has &C.
complished n very great deal, but he
has not sufficient power or means.
Inquiry in Taxation.
The reason better advanced has not
been made in the matter of better
system Of taxation is because taxa.
ton has not ben generally studied,
and because 1t Is an exceedingly DIFF
ficult subject to study on o OF
It's many details, and because a sys.
ditions of the territory in which tt
Is TO operate. Another underlying
reason for the injustice of taxation
is the resentment Of necessary To-
quiry. An jnquisition in assessment
matters Is resented as undue inte..
ference. and is often condemned by
u~nthEnking people. II we are part.
lners in this business of %tax.paying, as
General Harrison a y we are In his
great address from which I quote else
where, then 1t Is not : pirate matter.
Inquiry cannot be objected 10 by the
honest man, because it is the only
way he can be protected from unjust
burden by allowing his dishonest
we can very will see why the Az.
dodger objects to it. When mems
deeds are evil, they shun the light.
1t is often said inquiry hurts the bust
ness man by exposing his private af.
fairs so he ann secure credit to
carry on his business. Should the
State aid men in getting money under
false ~pretenses?' II my business Is
not in sound condition. what right
have I TO impose upon my neighbor
by assuming an ability to pay that
I have not? II I get his money in
other ways not very much different,
I am guilty of obtaining money under
false pretenses. which is a crime. Is
the State interested In assisting It's
citizens to. defraud n another? This
argument is unsound both in morals
! and in fact. 1t is unsound for reasons
: stated and other reasons. It is IN
sound In fact, because in this day of
mercantile agencies the status of each
man, in respect to his ability to pay.
is well known and published, or a be
ascertained by inquiry. Now, We
ought either to do n or two things;
we ought either to abolish inquiry al
together, or have sufficient inquiry to
effect the purpose for which 1t is in.
tended. We do not consider these
men successful who pursue an object
far enough only to commit a failure.
II inquiry Is a bad thing, then will
it not be better to allow every tax.
give the total in to the assessor and
! let that be taken without any ex.
change of words? This would pun.
.ish the honest and conscientious Az
payer, and make 1t necessary for ev.
cry one who wishes TO escape pay.
ing more than he wants to pay TO re-
sort to fraud and perjury?
l have spoken elsewhere about the
Expected large increase In the amount
Of assessed intangibl property, be-
cause of the reduction in the rates
OF levy. It is expected that a good
deal Of this property will come on the
books now voluntarily. But since all
excuse Is made for the hiding OF this
property. II ought to come IN, even If
strict inquiry has to be made ami
some ta~x.dodgers severely punished,
It is time to stop furnishing honest
tax payers by allowing dishonest
ones to go free. or partly free. by
their failure to do their duty TO the
government. That a good deal OF
this intangible property not now on
the books will come on because OF the
low rate of levy, is a reasonable en-
%pectation, based on experience else
where. Several years ago, Vermont
revised its laws and provided for Il
minute classification of intangible
%strictest inquiry; the result was that
in n year the personal property OF
the State increased from $4,000 900
to SAG, 900, 900. Under similar circum-
stances in the State of Maine. the in
crease in personal property was from
SIS, oo0. 900 in 1880 to nearly $50, o0o.-
600 In 1881. And ! understand some
thing like the same result has come
70 mass In Connecticut and Massachu.