The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-02
PRIMARY EXPENSES
SHOULD BE LIMITED
Poor Man, However Worthy and Popular, Is
Hampered in His Candidacy by Lack ofLarge
Means to. Defray His Expenses.

The honor conferred by the people Is the
greatest that Virginia can give the rospon-
bIlity which comes with II is corresponding
~ great. and !mprcssea NC with sense OF
my own weakness and insuffieiency. on the
threshold, therefore, Of this great office.
1 acknowledge my dependence upon the God
of states and individuals. and humbly trust
that the love / cherish tor rty state may
be guided by that wisdom which Is profit
anlo to direct, and that may have strength
To put behind me everything which shall
tend TO hinder or obscure my duty to tbs
Old Dominion,
Difficult and important my work shall
be. have to guide me on the way the his
tory and achievements OF the tfty Illus
trious men who have filcd the high Office
OF Governor of virginia, and especially the
fruitful and successful administration of
him who am proud to coli my friend, and
who win leave behind him a record of duty
ably and efficiently performed of good
works lnished and of others inaugufated
which II VIII be my duty as well ms
spiete irution.
/ trust II viii bn understood that in de-
ciariny the policies for which stand 1t will
bc necessary, in this address,. 10 ratcr 10 the
message OF Governor Swanson. who has very
Iuily gone over most Of the questions to be
Gncusscd. and has made IL difficult foi me.
without repeating what he has said. TO
make myself thoroughly understood.
Confederate soldiers should BE the First
Object of Our Care.
Redeenins the pledges which affection
and vonefa;ion induced me to make. ! pre-
sent 10 this General Assemble. as the nrs,
and most worthy object or it's care, the
Confederate soldiers OF Virginia: the men
who have drenchcd it's soil with tlieir blood
Shcd in defense of constitutional liberty, and
tho homes and htcsIdcs Of our people, the
men Who along with their comrades from
other states, have made ncw record of
heroism and devotion. and have written
high upon the scroll OF fauic a testimonial
10 American manhood which has contr!-
bnicd TO the glory of our common country.
and made virginia, the birthplace and home
tyf DEr ire t-St "a IEtf,
throughout the civilized world. The Con-
!ederatc soldiers did more than hSht for
constitutional iiberay-they came back from
the nelds of battle 10 desolate and impos-
erlshed homes. they found the labor system
overturned. but struggling against tho In
h.rted tendencies which had come down 10
them from generations past. and with
determination and devotion which had char
acicrized them for four years In The Held.
they gave themselves 10 labor Tor their loved
oEcs. and they and their CONS have made
aud are making old Virginia keep step with
the march OF progress, and they ana Their
IONS have made the Southern States with
Texas frs; and virginia second sthc richest
par, OF the richest country in the world.
surely Virginia will not let one OF these
old veterans suffer in his declining years.
but viii stretch out 10 hin ihe strong arms
o! her love and shield and nourish him
because OF that love. Other Things can wait.
btit the Confederate colder must ansTYor the
roll call and before many years nothing
viii be left OF MIN but tender memories aud
tho record of glorious deeds.
"
Commissioner of Taxes. as Permanent
Obieer of the Government, Appointed.
Familiar with every section OF the state.
and wiki prcscnt method OF assessing
and collecting taxcs venture 10 say that
no more important question than the
equalization OF taxes VIII come before our
General Assembly
Thc tax requirements OF our state are
not burdensone. and yet We lave not only
maintained and improved all OF our state
institutions and agencies but have made
ont. pro-r a. In AL II rec
error swanson states, II VIC had Kept our
surplus money in the treasury, instead OF
paying of our debt, VIC would now have
nearly sscsp,cta 10 our credit. just now. in
consequence of liberal appropriations 10
schools, roads and Confederate pensions at
the last session OF the Legislature. we find
tina, new sources OF revenue must be sought
in order TO maintain the ddvcnce whicn
none o. us, however economical, would be
willing TO see checked. Our needs OF iunas.
however, il only temporary, anu WIZ pc met
Tor the current year IL the bills already
drawn and offered shall be passed especial
~ IL We practice that economy when,
inslst lis necessary for the best interests of
the state, and next year. il proper and
equal assessment, is made. the revenues OF our
state will permit us TO carry FORWARD out
plans for still greater progress. JUST no"
the important. question to be considered is
how 10 secure proper and equal assess
inent Of property as a OASIS ior TAXA ,io On
during 1911. we ought for the present 10
sdont the best available plan which VIII
enable us to accomplish this result, and
then create a tax commission. II " shait DC
deemed necessary, TO study the system OF
taxation in this and other states. and per-
manently adopt tina, system which promises
the best results
Commissioner of Taxes.
After the assessment of this year, while
ceprecatns, unless absolutely necessary, tho
creation of new Offices. and highly com
mendins our honored Auditor for the admir-
able administration OF his most Important
office, think a commissioner OF taxes
should be appointed as permanent OFFICER
cha rvoI &ryffh
OF making himself familiar with every Sec
ton OF the state. Its property. resources and
interests, and establishing In every comfy
and city a basis OF assessments conforming
10 tho requirements of the Constitution. and
also charged with the supervision OF all OIL
GERS of the government whose uhty ~ Is 70
assess and collect taxes, and the establish
mcnt OF uniform system OF accounting
throughout tho state. favor tho appoints
nent OF competent man rather than
the appointment of a commission. because
i believe that one man can better do the
work than three or five, and at less expense
10 the state. Property owners should nave
the right of appeal to the courts. and
have thrown around them every saieSuard
of thcir interests. Clerks of courts should
be required when the Est of transfers is
made to furnish to the tax commissioner
copy showing the number of acres and tho
purchase price of land sold, and vendors
should be required to set out IN their deeds
formation. having due regard for the waste
lands 1t would not be difficult to ascertain
the fair market value OF lands throus bout
the State as required by the Constitution
Tho commissioner could gradually make
himself familiar with the value Of personal
property, and perhaps in time devise a plan
by which the intangible personal property
can be reached. Tho commissioner In devils.
ing his plan. and generally In the discharge
of his duties. should have in view the rights
or the taxpayer as well as the requirements
OF tho state. There should be no double
taxation, no doubtful cNpedients, no heavy
and unjust burdens laid upon our mining
manufacturing or commercial enterprises
but the very fairness and justice OF tht
plan adopted oushtFto be strong appea
TO the taxpayer to meet tho state half wa;
and assume his fair share Of the public
burden.
The Maryland Plan.
This has been proved by the MARYLAND
rlan. In that state. by the security tax &C
OF 1896. all bonds, certihcates OF indebted
ness, in whatever form made or issued b!
a any private or public corporation, incor
poratcd under the laws OF that state. o.
any other state or country. we're REQUIRED
To DO assessed at their fair market value
and made subject to uniform local rat
Of 30 cents on each 500 of assessed value
s. Ronds which paid no interest and share
4 :, corporatjOn6 which maid no dividend