The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-20

moved, md something Ike even handed g g.
Justice done the taxpayers TIL ~ ,' lmsy
ho dn be foT eefers ,sho #
fair way should go TO the tLe glsiIa y, tnrr "
at Rioilmond fronl. every county ~, y. tn .
a as.s s sst tsFs aa s W's sus
u t,,tipe Of + ignored. Az . citizen q
Hrunswick, i protest agninst sne Uu,-
s &c nv don sys s n tesxatio that piaoea
a rrI'' those Of iL,lnenburg at 81 and-rhoHe
of Neck lenburg e. 80. nol onIy pro- :,
IT, t66st' ,y nae q THAT breeds
such gross inequalities; ana In 80
doing believe that | voice the senti-
rnent OF every fair-n,lnd ed man IN the
three counties named. ,,c,.,,,. z ~
:, &c ro GHmp' and errors. but II Is quito
often not an easy tnsk TO Suggest a q 9
remedy for sue q wrongs rt and o ersara
Mi. Turnbu1l suggests tho appoint.
.ment (by the Governor. ! supposc1 Of
a commissioner Of valuation f9r each
congressional district to act ~, con- = !.
'nne''0. VIM whose y" duty Ss0h Il should be e
visit each county IN his district and
ascertain the market value Of lands
and tx general valuation
q Wle bd ths lands n are T. ps a, ,s
sessors''-anti Is give tie assessors
power to add to or subtract from this
general valuation. 50 fixed BY the
commissioner Of valuatIon accordi,n g
and towns and railroads, etc., OF the
Individual farms.
Such, change In tho assessments
Of lands for taxation would BIO a de-
n =,
tenn, but It might not get rid ri In.
equalttes as between nEressional
districts or as between sections. Under
such q system. It is Clearly possible
that the lands OF the First Congress
lew or too highIa figure as compared
with the lands Of another district, and
then we would have inequalities as
between congressional districts just as
we now have them us between coun-
bar against or relief from such re-
suit. | do not say that such result
would certainly come, even In future
years. but suggest that II is best to
the possibility OF such sresult-at
least, as far as we can do SO.
Practical equality IN assessments u
what all taxpayers desire and should
not get perfect equality. That Is I'm.
possible. What we would be satisfied
with Is approximate equality.
With the consent Of Mr.. Turnbull.
Will offer an NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. II
would be better to say a substltute-to
his plan. We have ten congressional dis
tricts. Group them by twos, so that
they will be contiguous. Let the
Governor Or the LIE gislaturc appoint a..
we'll. let him be called Commissioned
OF valuation" Then there will be Ave
for the State to act as q state Board
OF EQUALIZATION The duties and
powers ofthis board should be definite.
" and cautiously prescribed by law. sc
as to empower II to equallze the valti-
alton OF lands for taxation tas nearly
as 1t Is possible to do sol as between
congressional districts and sections
Each member of the board would be
check upon the other. and a majorit,
cculd-and. no doubt, would-preven
any gross inequality.
This state Board OF Equalization
might also be empowered 70 attend tc
the valuation OF railroads. express
companies. telephone companies. Pull,
man palace cars, corporations general.
~. etc. for purposes OF taxation.
Other States have Estate Board OIL
Eq ualization.' and such gross Unequal,
tiles as exist In this State have beer
slowly but surely gotten rid OF.
T. c.. T. ALLEN.