Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-10-01
EXPLANATIONS Of .;55.s
l.. SENATOR {. S. BAKER (
= ) - o
Continued from Page Ono.
EXPLANATION 1903

intoxicating liquor in the State would
take away this revenue. and this
amount would have to be made up
from other sources. To the tax pay
ers OF our State with the enormous
increase OF value under our revised
tax laws aggregating about one bill
lion dollars. 1t would mean. including
the present State tax. about thirty.
five cents. At a glance, you can see
what this means to the property
owners OF the State. The result
would be that this State tax, which
has been so Objectionable, would
have to be restored and the people OF
the State would necessarily be COM
PEELED to pay this loss OF revenue.
In addition, to this there are mil
lions OF dollars invested in this class
OF property. The brewing industries
OF the State have grown up and have
been protected by our law. 1t does
not conform to my ideas Of justice
to pass any measure which will re-
suit in the confiscation of property.
Whether a mans money Is invested i'm
brewery business, or any other bust
ness, he is entitled TO the protection
OF the law, and while 1t might be
within the power OF the legislature to
submit to the people a constitutional
amendment, the adoption of which
would result in the taking away of his
property, yet | ask if in common JUS
tice to vested rights, should this be
done, without, at the same time, pro-
viding some reparation for the prop
erty loss? The people engaged in the
business should have time to make
preparation for the great change, time
TO convert and adjust their proper
ties to other kinds OF business.
1t is probable that the amendment
in the form proposed would, from the
very terms Of our constitution itself,
have gone into operation Immediately
on its adoption. though in terms pro-
Tossing to go into effect at a mucn
later date.
| believe in local option. and think
that the legislature should pass q
strong local option bill History has
proved that local option is the best
way to deal with the liquor ques.
ton. The people OF my district
ought to have the right to vote upon
IS question in the way OF local op
ton, and ! stand for giving them this
right. It Is not necessary 10 amend
the organic law OF tho state in orde.
TO control the liquor traffic A good
strong local option measure II all
tina It's necessary. This would give
the people OF each county the right
(as they should have 10 vote upon
the question
While ] voted in the Senate agains,
tho amendments 7 thinI ir 50 doing
that J VIZ serving tho best interes
~ my constituents. and IN that vote
wac wrong and does not meet with
tho approval tho people ir M dis
trct all car say ie. s. waa an
honest vote prompted by honest mo
uvcs and iho future will prove whcth.
or or not my position wag right OF
wrong ! am willing ~ trust Iho
people upon .his question, and belioye
that by giving tho question propci
consideration ,ncy viii sec 81 as
do.
Hoping that this explanation ma,
De satisfactory 10 tho minds OF thos,
disappointed with my vote and re-
move. 80 any impression there be
that my position was taken on an,
other ground than that. best subscry
ing the interests Of my people. ] am
Very respectfully.
r. S. BAKER.