The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-12


on record against the bill.
Senator Fletcher asked two days
1avo OF absence for Senator Ward,
who has spralned his ankle and Is con-
fined to his room
The tax commission bill, special or
der for the day, was explained fully by
Its patron, Senator King. The present
bill Is a substitute, said he. which rep
resents the view of Senator STROBE
and himself. There is now sentiment
IN the General Assembly for such a
commission, stronger than ever before.
The experience of many other States
is inefficient. They never achieve
equalization. Segregation is to be
sought Tor. The Fletcher bill Is only
temporary measure, and some per-
fnahent method ought to be adopted.
Gun Secure Facts.
~ tAH commission can secure facts
which the Legislature cannot in ninety
days" he said. THE fundamental pur-
pose of such a commission is to obtain
data and make an intelligent and help
full report to the General Assembly,
+, based on such facts"
s1ic advocated small commission be-
cause It's size would make it easy to
get together. 1t would do moro actual
up quorum. Work would not be DEL
egatcd to subcommittee. There would
be less chance of compromise report,
There would be less hazard of sectional
influence and biased partisanship.
Representation would be given to
the FIVE grand divisions of the State
! He thought the commission should be
made up from the General Assembly,
| for the jurisdiction and consideration
OF taxation is within the sole peculiar
! province OF the Legislature. Some of
the members could take advantage of
the facts they gained while acting on
the commission In legislation.
Senator Walker doubted the consti-
tutionality of the provision of the bill
which allowed members of the COM
mission their expenses over and above
mileage. That might be contrary to
the provision of the Constitution as 10
the holding OF two offices simultane-
ously especially since the addition of
| the expert TO the commission tended
7 to give 1t the color of something more
than a mere legislative committee.
Senator King said that he realized
that this point would be raised. but
s hoped that it would be threshed out
on the floor and the bill so amended as
to cure the defect.
Continuing his main argument, Sem
ator King said that all persons who SO
desired might come and give their
views to the commission. All interested
could be given q full hearing. Wit
nesses could be summoned and all sorts
of evidence brought into the sessions
of the commission. Some break must
be made away from the antiquated
methods of taxation prevalent at the
present.
Senator Kings argument was a
thorough explanation and logical ex-
position of the merits of his measure.
A joint resolution calling for the ex-
change by The State Library of some
relics and documents for others held
by Dir. Stewart was passed.
/ Wants Governor on 1t.
Desiring to amend the tax commits
sion bill, Senator Holland proposed that
the commission be composed of the
Governor. the chairman of the state
Corporation Commission and an expert
chosen by them.
Il agree with the purpose of the
King BILL said Senator Holland. but
I dislike the idea of a. commission cho-
sen from the General Assembly The
underlying idea is wrong on principle
and may be legally wrong
III SuSStSEtd lIlt tONtEllOI, UeGdNst
no man is more thoroughly interested
in the tax question than the Chic,
Executive. The chairman of the State
Corporation Commission is especially
conversant with corporation taxation
and the experienced expert would ado
the necessary theoretical information
Such commission would be very in
expensive, for the expert would bt
the only man to draw compensation
AT this particular time small OUTLAY
is desirable.
Senator Halsey wanted some sort o
commission by all means. He favored
the King bill first, but was willing Il
accept the Holland idea if necessary
He saw no reason why the commission
might not be made up from the Genera
Assembly. charged as it is with III,
power of taxation and directly respou
sible to the people. a goodly proper
ton always returns. He saw no con
stitutional difficulty in the matter Tina
objection might be obviated by making
it clear in the bill that the expert l.
not TO be a member of the commission
but ancillary and advisory in his ca
pacity.
Senator Noel Opposed.
Opposition voiced itself in Senate
Noel, who preferred the Holland idei
TO that of the King bill He did no
, like the districting called for under tn
| bill, and proposed a different scheme
He liked the idea of the Governor be
, ing on the commission. for he is IA
miliar with all parts of the State.
, II am opposed to having it compose
of members of the General Assembly,
he protested. 1T is improper for tn
. Legislature TO appoint it's member
to this or to any other Office unde
!. it's control. The principle is just a
; bad as creating a. new office for an es
!, pecial individual The idea underly
inggis contrary 20 the spirit of tn
Constitution. / am opposed to the ide
in all its ramifications, whether it b
In the case of the Legislature or eve
in the matter of a board of visitors O
, directors electing one of their nun
Der to an Office in their control Carr
this idea to its logical extent, and 80
: will play havoc with our institutions
Don't hang this tax commissio
! over the heads of the people durin
; the recess of the General Assembly
declared Senator Folkes. "The Legis
lature ought to do all the work o
taxation while it is in session. an
stop worrying the people betwee
: times
4 Il. 7 tn