The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-09
CURRENT COMMENT
virginia senate Should Act.
able measure,

We do not know whether the Virginia Senate
seeks to emulate that distinguished body of la
borious solons who meet at the capitol in WASH
ington each day during the ~sessjons OF Con-
yress at twelve O'Clock only to adjourn about
two or three, but In one resepct at least these
two dignifed bodies are the same. We refer
to the elaboration with which they move. In
justice to tho Senate at Washington II may be
said that there In no particular necessity for
It to move rapidly since there is no time limit
on Congress. but this Is not TRUE of the Senate
at Richmond. which must complete Its labors
In sixty days and yet moves at a pace closely re-
sembling that Of a terrapin. Not q measure OF
any Importance has SO far been either passed
or considered by the Senate. II we except Sem
ator Grayatt's fee bill. which that body killed,
sent to the Senate, the legalized primary bill.
which. an Mr.. Beverly well said in a
cation TO this paper. WIN come nearer uniting
than any other one thing. why does the Sem
ate delay consideration of this bill? Is there a
purpose on that side OF the capitol - kill the
bill BY preventing a vote thereon. Is ii posi-
Bile that there are members OF the Senate who
do not desire to see the warning democratic
atars who do not desire honest primary 5eiec-
lions In Virginia? Senators Gra,att and FeSth-
erstone should cali to their ad otaer senators
In favor Of this bill and should force the Issue
before It Is too late. The matter is one OF vital
importance and the political future Of the men
see.-FredericksburS Daily Star.
Injurious 10 This City.
Delegate white, Of Rockbridge, has introduced
in the House a bin providing for the sezrega-
ton of the State and local taxes. which. liz
enacted into law. W.ll xerlos.s.y affect this city.
From figures secured yesterday from Commits
sioner of the Revenue W.. B.. Crump and City
Auditor Christian X. Messick. We estimate that
the operation Of the White tax bill will reduce
the revenues of Newport News by approximate
" $4,000 q year.
The White bill provides for the cities to re-
ceive all OF the taxes from real estate and
tangible personal property and for the state to
receive ell OF the taxes on railroad franchises,
licenses, incomes and the like. Under this sys-
tenn Newport News would receive:
Real estate and tangible and personal
property SIC. $50 at $1.s0 (city
rate of 1925 plus State rate Of 35c). $166. 346 81
From Corporation Commissi 4 trealty) 1890 90
From all other sources .............. 1928 90
At present under the city rate Of 81. rs on tho
800, the city receives a total income OF $1lz.-
2el. The net loss to the city then would be
1886.
That additional sum would go to the State
Under the White law and under that law, the
State would receive a total OF about 5000 from
this city. Newport News now is paying more
than fts Just burden OF the expenses Of the
State and rather than increase the amount that
goes to the State, II should be decreased.
This city absolutely could not operate with
the $4,000 cut on and given to the State. Prac-.
tically every cent that Is now received IL needed
TO operate the government and IL the White bill
goes through. either the tax rate must be in4
creased to Sits. or the schools or some other
derartments Of tho city would suffer.
This paper appreciates the fact that the tax