The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-01-11
tcont;nusd o. page 81,

ford to pay and to make that rate uni.
form. so that the owners OF II could
figure exactly what their taxes would
be. I think we have got the rate on
the average less than one per cent.
and should keep 1t down to that; but
1t 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
put with every law full authority.
power and means for It's enforcement
The State Tax Commissioner has &c.
compllshed a very great deal. but lie
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 accoun OF
It's many details. and because a sys-
ditions of the territory in which 1t
H' "uisinS
w 'e in'uetee Vi '"""'ion
i,n ~ III
1 :" assesehneh'
matters Is resented as undue inte.-
e Wy
| mt IA In Limo NNnnnIa 10 me- 49,.
. rp arc Pa''
vi '""pa'ihs' 10
says we are III ms
se' auuiess rum ~h'ch l quote else
10 ho' sTaUe hla''er'
INJURY eahhot oe opJec'eu 10 os inc
hohes' mah' oeeause 1T Is 'he ohls
way ne can ne projected from UNJUST
ourden by MS
heishDor 10 escape MS ouFdeh' But
we can very VIII see why 'he 'aN'
douser opJec's 10 IL "heh men S
ueeus are evil they shun the iisht.
IL Is often SAID inquiry hurts the busi'
ness man by exposing his private al
iairs So ne cannot secure credit 10
carry on MS business. Should the
e.a'e aid men IN set'ihe none q
raise pretehsesE II my business Is
HOT IN SOUND cohaiuoh' what right
nave l 10 impose upon my heishoor
by assuming an ability 10 pay that
nave not! II get MS money IN
other ways not very much dinerent'
l am guilty OF obtaining none u
raise pretehses' "hich Is a crime. Is
ci.izens 10 aetrauo one announcer! Ihis
argument is unsound ootn IN morals
anu IN TACT II Is sou LOT reasons
stated and other reasons. 1t Is nn'
SOUND IN iact' because In this day OF
mercantile agencies the status OF each
man. IN respect 10 MS aoihty 10 pay.
is wei known n puoiished, or can be
ascer'aihed by inquiry. now, we
ought either'to do one or two things;
we ought either 10 ABOLISH inquiry al
together' OF nave suHicient inquiry 10
erect Inc purpose Tor winch 1t Is IN
tended. we DO not consider these
men successful VINO pursue an OBJECT
enough only 10 commit a failure.
II inquiry Is thihe' then VIII
II not DE better o allow every tax
payer to assess his own property and
give the total In TO the assessor and
let that be taken without any e&-
change OF words? This would pun
sish the honest n conscientious tax
payer. and make 1t necessary Tor er'
cry one who wishes to scape pay
ing more than he wants to pay TO re.
sort to fraud and perjury?
have spoken elsewhere abon the
expected large Increase in the amount
of assessed intangibl property. be-
cause Of the reduction In the rates
of levy. 1t 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