The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-02
t@EgIERE THERE Is No VISION THE
PEOPLE PERISH"


and unable TO fulfil the splendid and
vigorous purposes for which II was
created. 1t has been torn and ampu-
tated, Its backbone is shattered It's
arms are atrophied and the hot air
OF demaEosuery has been the ether
of patient explanation and strong argu-
ment by its advocates. after many sue
ccssivc compromises and cancellations
in tbs hope that some effective meas
ure might be formulated, the friends
OF the bill made thcir last stand yester-
day. but the old and dissraceful battle
cry of buncomhe carried the day.
To listen to those who did this meas
ure nigh unto d cath one would believe
that the original measure proposed by
the patriotic and progressive TaN Com
mission would revive the horrors of the
1nquis.tion. The terrors OF the rack,
the agony OF thu stake. the torturing
embrace of the iron maiden. were con-
jured III as the inevitable raAults OF
the passage OF this bill by an assembly
OF freenen in the State OF Virginia
From the debates one would have
thought that GeorEe Ill was still alive
md In dominion over Virginia. and that
the proposed commission was seeking
the power of Caesar or the tyrannoue
prerogative of a Jsffreys. The support
ers OF the measure sought only TO give
the commission sufficient power 10
make its work effective, but their foes,
pretending TO favor tax reform. pro
tested that the power was unessential
How can reform be effected unlcss
there is a power to effect TT Words
cannot aoate !njuEtioes and mequali-
ties.
Here was one of the two construc-
tivs measures which TIL. Tlmes-Dis-
patch had hoped that the General AS
semhiy would enact the other being
nm ADEQUATE primary law. The people
OF Virginia demand 1t; everybody CON
oedes that tax reform is Indispensable
The experience OF other States shows
lhat tax reform Is the sina qua non
oNpFogress and efficient government
Ohio's striking example OF the tremen-
dous benahcial results flowing from
tax reform as the bedrock principle OF
advanced government was pointed ont.
but Virginia still Iags in the rear Of
the procession. still keeping company
with the halF-dozen States that have
never reformed their tax systems.
Why is Virginia held back? Why g re
the counties to go on IN the same old
rut, some bearing their grossly lneoui-
table burdens, others living or tho
heavily hurdened counties and avoldtnr
their righteous responsibilities 10 the
people and 10 the state? It was tho
sneeial interests that closed tho door
TO proEress-not the Special inter
ests" that We mean when we sn.ak or
large corrorations and industries. but
the srecihl interests or those who fear
that which Is Just who prefer re,ro-
erosion 10 progression, WHO beltsv,
n Al unfair deal.
The chief ANTAGONISTS OF tho floor Of
the original Tax Commission bin huyc
naen Delegates Williams. OF Giles. and
White, OF Rockbridge. They criticized
end they tore down they s,rove
nightly against what was gencralIv
considered a genuinely progressive tax
reform bill. Every effor, was made
- meet them IN a spirit Of compromises.
tut they insisted on amendments
whioh. in our opinion, almos. totallv
scuiate the pill and render 1t i'm.
effective. Theirs was a deliberate neht
en- a progressive bill. instead Of comm
toward with workable suggestions for
making an effective measure th,y
EFT the bill spineiess They otfered
no feasible constructive ideas. th.,
vere apparently blind 10 the experience
or ether States. They swore by tina
landmarks of democracy, bu, tney
fTetticed the very essence 81 Bourbon-
''m. Tney have cried, The people the
pe'?iei' but they led IN gripping a
'aeaSore mat would nave wrought
1rst among the people; tney
shol,ad "I-oca! -eoyernment," BUT
Of TIE whole people Of Tho STATE ,hcy
seemingly took no thought
Ihe nresen, condition cannot Con
tinue Unless tax reform IS eneetsd.
political revolution VIII ensuc. The
IN inay dc but the issue lives.
gaining strength every day and ac-
ruml!&ting Vie arc That will sooner or
later break out Those who opposed
an "hectiye Te% Comm sston made .hc
~ Oh arrea! tna, the craa;ion OF
ahch body would stir 10 diss,tis.