The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
JUDGE HUT7ON's
| JURY AND HIS WORK
An Exhaustive Report, Which
Judge Analysed in Parting
Word of Thanks.
WHERE INEQUALITIES COME
Candidate for Legislature An
nounces Platform as Down
With the Income Tax
WHERE INEQUALITIES COME

A week or more ago The Times Dis
patch published the story of the action
of Judge Frank B. Hutton, OF the TWEEN
ty-third judicial Circuit. in bringing
Taxpayers to the book before the grand
jury in Washington county.
Tho Judge called the attention of the
grand jury to n former publication in
this paper, In which it was shown that
there Is great inequality In the matter
of assessments. The records had shown
that not single citizen OF Washington
county reported an income in excess of
s5oV. It was well known to the judge and
10 the jury that there We're many men
In the county, who, judging from out
side appearances, Were making much
more than that amount. More than a
hundred men were summoned before the
jury, and being put on oath an amended
statement of income tax was made
which increased the revenue of the state
from this source in this one county more
than $1,000
The action of Judge Hutton and his
grand jury has attracted attention all
over the State, and the probability is
that other judges will take like action.
and there will BIO a shake up, in ali
parts of the Commonwealth
Already the news comes from WASH
ington county that there will be a can
didate for the next Legislature who will
make the run on q platform with sim
gle plank in 1t: Down with the income
tax"
Judges Congratulations.
In view OF these facts tho work OF the
Washington county grand jury and the
after remarks OF Judge Hutton become
very interesting. A local paper tells us
that the jury sat seventeen days, en-
amined over a hundred men, many OF
whom amended their tax lists largely,
Among these latter were some of the
members of the jury. The grand jury's
report was an exhaustive one, and while
1t was but the beginning OF very good
work 1t increased the immediate taxable
values of Washington county fully $4,000.
Judge Hutton was proud OF the work
of his jury, and In dismissing the men,
bers he took occasion to make a parting
address, which the local paper reports
as follows:
"rhe court wishes to thank you gentle
men for the faithful and prompt atton-
ton to the business given you in charge
during this term, and in.the performance
of those duties certain Investigations
given you in charge have been very much
criticized.
Section 67S of the Code of Virginia pro-
vides That it shall be the duty OF the
Judges or the circuit courts and corpora
tion courts mt the term next succeeding
the return by the commissioners of their
several books OF assessment, to charge
the grand juries impaneled by them to
examins said books of assessment and
then provides what your duties are In
reference to said books. 1t became my
duty, therefore, under my oath OF office |
to give you that section In charge, which |
! did, and have, done each year since | |
have been on the bench In each county |
OF my circuit, and 1t became your duty |
lmpartially, without fear, favor or affec- |
ton, according to your oaths, to execute
the same. and this you have faithfully !
done The chief criticism seems to be In
reference to tho income tax, 1t is con
tended that II ones income Is 81 600, and
he expends on himself and family 1920
he should pay no income tax; but as |
given you In charge the law does not |
permit the personal expenses of ones |
self and family in excess OF $500 to be |
Objections Answered.
1T is further objected that a merchant
shouldn't pay an income tax, because
ne pays privilege tax for tho transaq-
ion OF his business, and nm additional,
AK of his capital, There might BIO some- |
CONTINUED on Second RsSeA