The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-17
STATE PRESS
Another View Of tic primary Bins.

Ahotiler View OF the Primary Bills.
we thought Speaker Byrds primary bill
, ,.s's pretty straight and put up tho gaps
Cept It without debate and give 1t q trial.
We had an idea the organization would
want 70 trim 1t OF Its safeguards. The bill
OF Mr.. Ellyson Is about what we might have
expected. 1t just wants tho bars left down,
SO the organization can keep In and get
room to work. the machine.-Chase City Pro-
gress.
The Assessment Problem.
Many of tho older Legislators know that
reductions will be few and difficult to ac-
complish. and. therefore. they are dovotins
their energies to locating additional SOURCES
or revenue, and the equalization ofstaxes.
Neither Of these propositions likely to
prove attractive, as the extension of tho
taxable articles or tho increase OF tho rates
the people grow enthusiastic Tho ''equall-
cation OF taxes project grows out OF tho
fact that sheep, cows. horses. etc. are listed
IN the various parts of the state ut dr.
ferent figures. II docs not follow, however,
that live stock should be taxed at tho same
figure wherever 1t is found. Cattle grazing
in the fertile valleys OF the South are worth
moro than those roaming the lowlands of
Tidewater. and the sheep upon the hills of
Loudoun are more profitable than the cockle-
burr flock in the swamps of Princess Anne.
Both Governor Swanson and Speaker Byrd
have dwelt upon the subject of tho cqual'zn-
ton of taxes. but 1t remains question that
Is not going to be rightly settled without
very hard and intelligent work on the part
OF the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Ledser-D Dis
patch.
Tho Penitentlnry Board.
The board of directors OF the State Pen-
Tertiary is made up of Richmond men,,
and at the recent meeting of the directors
Richmond man and member of the
board was elected superintendent of the
prison. This is evidently what you would
call government OF Richmond, by Rich
mond and for Richmond. Not satisfied with
having the penitentiary II The capital city.
the board of directors violated the spirit.
IL not the letter OF tho Constitution. by max
| ing one OF its own members the super!n-
tendent. This blunder is not going TO help
Richmond and the newspapers in that city
are demanding law to prevent similar
plumbers in the future. The brethren OF the
capital city press recognize that Richmond
is not the only spot on the Virginia map
Clifton Forge Review.
Wants Income Tax Amendnicnt Adopted.
One of the first things The Legislature
should do is to adopt the income tax amend.
ment. The states where wealth has full
sway will be quick in its interest to seek
| pretexts to reject It, We Nwhose interest il
tho opposite should be no less prompt in
it's favor. State rights have been violated
long enough by relieving Abe very rich. con
| ccntrated in few states. from their share
OF Federal taxation. thereby forcing all
other states to pay more than their fair
Pile also in the very States where these
| rich people have their abode with an un-
Justly heavy load OF Federal taxation.-Han-
| over Herald.
Better Roads for Patrick County.
The question OF good roads for this county
has been topic of discussion and some
| agitation in tho homes, In the lobbies. In
| the street corners and at public gatherings
| but the concern felt in this Issue and the
| interest manifested are not general and
Widespread, and the public sentiment can't
| or won't accord. and the county officials
won't suggest ways and means. Now, We
| do not mean to suggest way of improv.
| ing our roads. but want to say 1t is time
| was long ago. as for that matter--that tho
| people OF the county get down to con-
| sIderng this proposition in the right way
| With Justice to all concerned and for the
interest and determination 1t may arouse
we feel that this topic should be treated In
/, press. and we expect to do SO in plain terms
| and in the beginning would say. without
| fear OF successful contradiction that this
| county Is twenty years behind the average
virginia and Southern county in the way
| of permanent road building and preparation
| for same. Why the public roads OF this
| county are a disgrace TO our citizenship
| and officials not only from the standpoint
| of common interest in the welfare OF the
| people, but also from the standpoint OF
\ business ability and cooperation. Can 1t be
said that the county is not financially abu
think not. Then, why Is 1t not done?, This
why" is what we want to get the people
Interested in.-stuart Enterprise.
| y