Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-01-16
STATES NEEDS DISCUSSED

fies districts and municipal corpora
lions of the state annually more than
S1.700y000, and this without "a penny's
expense to these political divisions.
The state bears all the expense, de-
tends all the lawsuits, and stands all
the other expenses of collecting this
vast sum, which Will soon amount
to $4,000.000 in each biennial period
The tax commissioner recommends
that the state deduct five per cent.
for the cost OF collecting. This
would he just, and still would be
less cost than the counties, districts
and municipalities would incur should
they collect this large sum themsel-
YES. The state tax commissioner also
renews the recommendation that no
taTies public should have a definite
term, that all the commissions now
in force should be made to expire at
certain definite time. The most of
the states have this requirement, and
1t is very desirable other than from
o revenue point of view. 1t is prac-
tically impossible now to know who
are the notaries of the state, for a
notary once is notary forever I'M
der our law. He also renews the rec
concentration of "a record tax on doc
flInents admitted to record In the Of
Does of the clerk of the county courts
A bill of this nature was passed by
the se Il ~ regular session Of
1867, bHt rs.ff1 @ lc. y.9.
fginia, ras@n~ 2 larga -evc~re sro,n this
source. 1t is a pronar and a iust
scarce % revenae Eyel II you should
mink II best TO have the revenue
arising from such tax go into the
treasures OF the counties from which
collected, such revenue should be Sc
cured TO the use Of the public
Taxation Of LeasehoIds.
Ex-Governor White, late state tax
commissioner, in his report as such
and Mr.. Townsend. now the tax com
missioner, in his Toronto paper. here
aisoefore referred to. discuss the tax
ion of coal, gas and oil. In respect
@ the tax on leaseholds, and in re.
Sasct to a specific tax on the output
y these natural resources, sometimes
GATED license tax and sometimes a
production tax. Though I desired to
make this message a very brief one.
Yet, after long consideration of these
matters, | deem 1t my duty to discuss
mere the question of leasehold taxa /
lion and the proper taxation of coal. !
gas and oil. | believe it is time to
speak out frankly, and purpose to
40 It.
fiNirst. then, as, to the taxation of
leaseholds. | made some remarks on |
the slstiect before the state board of /
trade. az its session at Elkns. Octo-l
Der Is, 1907
(Here the governor gives his al I
dress to the state bboard of trade)
Conservation of Natural Resources. /
A matter OF vital Importance is
that o9f the saving of our nat
ara resources Our coal natural ,
gas. forests. aud soil A great con- /
Ference of the governors OF the states !
and OF other eminent men and experts 4
was held at the White House, Wash /
ington last May. called and presided (
over by President Roosevelt If there I.
were any doubt before this meeting !
was fhefd. that we were ruthlessly |
wasting our great heritage of these (
resources, 1t was removed, it was
removed by the facts brought out at !
This conference. The report of its
proceedings and the many able adj
dresses delivered have been published
and it is not necessary here even to
anentien them.
Game and Fish.
The supreme court of appeals in the
ease of State VS.. Parkins practically
knocked out our faulty law respecting
the preservation of game and fish.
That law provided that the fines col
lected for violations of the law should
go to the deputy game wardens as
compensation for their services. The
court said that this was unconstitu-
tiona and the law void. Since that
'time there has been great slaughter
OF our game, and If something effect
i've is not done it will be short time
only when the game will disappear
and the fish in our streams be EXTERN
mated At request of numerous per-
sons | appointed a commission to
consider the matter and make report
to you. accompanied by bill ir bills.
The commission had a meeting full
discussion OF the subject, and ap
pointed a subcommittee TO put it's
conclusions in writing. Its final meet
ing is yet to be held and therefore
am not duNlSSd SS u WHeti lHe Iec-
concentrations will be, but that they
will be worthy of your consideration
am sure, both from the high char
.acter of the gentlemen who consented
TO serve as members of the commits
sion and the good attention they have
given to the subject.
/ respectfully request you to make
appropriation to pay the members of
the commission on the the conserva-
tion o. natural resources, the COM
mission on good roads. and this COM
mission on game and fish laws, for
their time and expenses.
Highways.
At request of the state board of
trade at it's late meeting at Clarks-
burg, | appointed a commission on
good roads. to assist the highway in
smarter in presenting MANS and rec