The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-30
FIGHT IL THE OPEN.

with thirty-eight counties draw
they pay ill., and with eleven counties
drawing out SlSGeoO more than they
pay in. there is no need to search for
opposition TO the Byrd Tax Commits
SION bill. Human raturc--even county
human nature-has never been ready
10 give up valuable advantages with
out complaint.
There are counties i'll Virginia.
rich, strong. powerful counties, like
Halifax, for example. that draws Sl4-
SIS more frctu the state than it con-
tributes; Pittsylvonia draws out $780,
O0c--less Sl3,oO-and Franklin draws
out $4,000 more than they pay in.
virginia Is proud of Halifax, with its
wonderful system OF schools and good
roads. with its spirit of progress and
with its splendid citizenship; Virginia
IS proud OF PittsylyRnia. and is proud
OF Franklin, but is the pride that Vir-
sinia feels in these counties worth
s6l,S22 year to the rest of tho citi-
zens?
The people OF Richmond, for ex-
ample, or the people of Norfolk or of
Lynchburg, or the people OF Loudoun.
or the people OF Augusta feel that
these inequalities arc justified neither
by considerations OF patriotism nor
charity.
The interest this paper takes in tho
Tax Commission bill is not because
lltehmond IS puying $4,000 year
moro net revenue to Virginia than
all the counties combined. out because
The taxes as now administered are
cruelty unjust, and no State or bust
ness can thrive or prosper as 1T should
when known and admitted injustice
lies at It's very heart
The restoration of Ohio's power and
prosperity began under Governor Har-
mon with honest tax laws ana Vir-
.slnia viii never grow and prosper as
it can and should so ng as our bar
tarous and anuquatcd our unjust and
Indeiens!ole tax system remains as il
is
The Times Dispatch is not surprised
AZ opposition. but we are surprised at
some OF the sources of opposition. We
are wholly unable to understand the
principles on which Hill Montague
for example, of the Richmond dele
cation. is lighting the Byrd Tax Com
mission bill. Perhaps MIR. Montague,
perhaps some OF the gentlemen from
the southwest, and others nearcr
home, who arc opposing this measure,
VIII make their positions entirely plain
when the Tax Commission DILL is taken
up before the House committee as Il
whole In any event, an opportunity
Will be offered TO deal with this mat
Ter openly and unreservedly Any lust
criticism against the Tax Commissio,
bill as It is now framed can he made
and answered or. eliminated. but such
a course can Only lee .pufsued when the
lighting Is done in the open No L.esis
iaturs and no body of citizens will
know how 10 deal with measure
which is attacked on one ground and
really opposed on another.
The Tax Commission bill as nro
Vi fpScd pS MT. Byr1, aDoliShes tn. ofliC,
OF State Accountant II this is 40 $.
rious an objection that the opponcn,
OF the bill would rather see the Who'll,
measure defeated than the office q
state Accountant lost, the fairest an,
best course would bc to frankly tel,
the people SO and then argue "a clear
cut question on its real merits n.
valuable conclusion can he reached b,
indirect!on. Virginia needs honest IA
laws but Virginia Will never get then
until the principles set forth in m
Byrd Tax Commission bill arc aGopte,
ard that cannot be accomplished ,
logroiling and tockeying for prIva,
and local interests against Inc W.,
fare Of the state are tolerated a
permitted.
With tho example Of Tie eivu,zo
world before IT, 1t is hardly cream,
that the virginia Legislature vi
not have the patriotism and tn, IL
teiiigence to sink petty differences an
60 enact broad tax Legislation in
broad and comprehensive way,
==-=-z==-=---