The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-11
pY LEWIS H. MAcHEN.

BY a coincidence the question OF
popular election OF commissioners OF
revenue Of counties and cities was the
main topic in the two houses of the
Legislature yesterday. Both branches
wish to amend the Constitution so as to
have the people choose those officers.
and also to re-elect them as often as
may seem advisable.
The Senate passed the bill, thus re-
pealing the statute which was enacted
last session allowing the judges TO
appoint, and which was adopted avow-
edly as a temporary measure. IN order
to retain the old commissioners. pend
Ing the change of the Constitution. The
constitutional amendment, however
was caught IN the crush last session
and perished.
About Commissioners.
Indeed, 1t is difficult to figure out b.
what process of reasoning the Con-
stitutional Convention came TO the con-
clusion that commissioners of revenue
should not succeed themselves in any
case. The argument that they might
be tempted to discriminate among citi-
gems for the sake OF political advan-
tage is an argument against all popu-
lar elections OF minor officials
None is free rom that temptation.
It is even more strange that they
should be allowed to succeed themselves
if appointed, because ii is conceivable
that a few favored individuals might
be of more service in recommending q
ceappointment by the Judge than In
helping TO bring about reelection.
The commissioners are elected by small
constituencies who we'll know the Of
fcers personally, and who can be trust
ed to watch their acts carefully. 1t is
not claimed that there are not occa-
sional Determinations or that there is
not a good deal of Undervaluation but
these things viii occur in any system.
Intangible property especially escapes
large share of its proper burden OF
taxation, but that is because many
owners of such property adopt various
methods. including perjury. to keep it
intangible in every sense of the word.
Any one who proposes to touch it for
purposes of taxation is a neddler with
private affairs, an inauisitor and the
least desirable of all undesirable citi-
zens. Commissioners of the revenue
may be appointed fresh and new every
month, but they cannot find this elu-
sive and fugitive property unless they
backed by squads OF police, with the
right to break strong boxes and hard
heads in the process.
Blackstone Matter.
In the House the Blackstone matter
came to the front for short time in
the shape of two resolutions, which
went over until to-day Both look to
legislative investigation-one by a
Joint committee of ten and the other
by the Courts Committee of the House
The first appears to contemplate re-
1noval, and the latter would seem to
foreshadow an impeachment in case
either should be warranted by the
evidence. There will doubtless be
other resolutions offered to-day, and
lively discussion is anticipated The
only certain thing is that the Legis-
lature Is going to take some action In
the matter. Those we'll disposed gem
tlemen who are trying to stem the tide
which is setting SO strongly toward
investigation will find the task beyond
them. Like Mrs. Partington sweeping
back the ocean, they will be sub
merged.
1t would seem that the logical thing
would be to decide whether, in the
event the evidence should justify ac-
tion against Judge Blacks tone, that
action should take the form of removal
or of impeachment. IF the first, there
should be a joint committee to inyes-
tigate. If the latter, House COM
mittee--preferably a Special commit
tee-should ascertain whether there is
prinla facie case. and. II so, should
formulate articles of Impeachment.
This could probably be done in the
time tho House is going to consume
talking about it.