West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-07-22
Another Fake.

Like all the rest of the fake tax reform
laws which have been inaugurated by the
tax reformers" in this state the "uni.
form accounting law" is now alleged to
be worthless as system of bookkeeping.
The Wheeling Intelligencer is inclined 10
blame the tax commissioner department
Tor its failure. We remember when the
uniform accounting law bill was before
the legislature the Hon. John J. Corn
weir analysis of it was that it would
prove a stupendous failure and cost the
taxpayers thousands of dollars for which
they would receive no return for the
money thus wasted.
1t is estimated that the stationery re-
quIred to supply the various counties with
the uniform accounting law has cost the
state $50, 900. Now that the friends OF the
bill are pronouncing it failure it must
be so.
Here is another object lesson in 'tax
reform" which our Republican brethren
should study that they may become thor
oughly familiar with the method by which
they have been humbugged by the fake.
The ARGUS was one OF the few papers
IN the state that pronounced the tax re-
form" movement deception and a snare.
1t appealed TO prejudice and endeavored
to make it appear that the intention of
the new law was 20 place the burden Of
taxation upon the moneyed people and
the corporations. No honest taxpayer
could indorse a law that attempts 10 place
the burden Of taxation upon one class Of
taxpayers and exempts another class.
The matter Of taxation should be lust
and uniform. Might does not make right.
IL al becomes us 30 ask our ielow-man %
treat US justly IL we are inclined 10 treat
him unjustly when clothed with power.
We must be tolerant Of each other srights.
One intolerance begets another. We
should respect an honest difference Of
opinion.
The ARGUS has always favored a mi.
form and equitable tax law. Such a law
viii Tnete out justice b all classes Of tax
payers alike. THE ARGrs has on more
than one occasion pointed out that the
new tax laws did not do this. On the face
Of i the true and actual value looked
good, but there are 20 many variations
and sliding scales In the true and actual
value" that II wa not hard to manipu.
late il 70 favor certain interests.
One Of the worst features Of the new
tax laws is the creation Of a multitude Of
unnecessary office. II is not hard b. de-
fine the cause. The clamor of the follow
ers Of the machine for sGce was 20 great
something had 10 be done. As none Of the
ofhce-holders would die or resign. Il was
necessary 20 create more ofices 81 stihe the
yelling. Even the board Of public works
did not hesitate b. create an Office for our
dearly beloved friend Bill Dawson when
the statute Of limitation placed him on the
private list a conservative estimate will
show that the nunbero Of Offices created t,v
the Republican party since 30 came into
power in the state IL costing the people
something like s75, 900 a year. And we
cannot help reminding TIE Republican
taxpayers that IL IL costing uiem dearly ~
vote the ticket straight ior toe good
Of the party"
1HE ARGUS has reason b believe, how
ever, that the Republicans Of Preston have
made mp their minds they have been sup
porting the ring and the machine a. long
~ their pocketbOoks can stand IL. and
from this out they are going 10 do a little
voting In the interest q themselves.