The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-25
COMMUNITY TAX REFORM MOVE
AIENTS THAT COUNT.

| The protests of the cities that bear
grossly unjust burdens OF taxation can
not avail much in securing relief un-
less tho similarly aggrieved country
| districts determine to join in the move
! mcnt for tax reform. Small communi-
ties hold the balance OF power in legis-
lation; without their cooperation the
cities can do nothing. When, however.
the people Of tho cities and the rural
communities join in an offensive alli-
ancc against the mcnacing horde of
taX-dodgers equalization can be accom-
plishcd.
The community movements in Rock
inghaIn County in tho interest of tax
reform are. therefore, hcartening evil
dcnces that the people of the smaller
districts are aroused to the bitter ne
ccssity for relief throughout the whole
State. Zenda. Lacey Springs and Tenth
Legion do not lay claim to great pop
ulation. yet from the tax meetings
which the oppressed people of those
places arc holding to protest against
the present tyrannical tax system may
How unlimited good TO the people OF
Virginia Such Il spirit of unrest is
symptomatic of Il general condition
which sooner or later will express it
self everywhere.
Lacey Springs blazed tho way by
forming permanent tax reform asso-
citation to meet from time to time to
discuss methods OF securing justice ana
equality in taxation. Tenth Legion
n Tn,
Ties representative citizens arc behlnd
the movement. Al tho organization
meeting in Tenth Legion, the Harrison
burg News reports that "a number of
gentlemen spoke interestingly of tho
great hardship worked upon taSDay-
crs because of the glaring INEQUALITIES
existing under our present system of
taxation, citing personal instances TO
illustrate. The immediate necessity
tor obtaining permanent relief was
urged upon all. and the various means
available for securing this reform
were discussed at some length" 1t was
reported at this meeting that the pco-
pie of Maryland, TimbervilIe. Lnvillc
and Mclrosc desire the formation or
tax reform associations in their COM
munitics
Zcnda was the third community 10
organize. The local schoolhousc was
well filled with len, women and
children" Discussion was opened by
G. j. Brock, who spoke in earnest of
the hardships and burdens of taxation.
lie said his father owned and con-
trollcd four times as much land as he
has and paid $40 tax, and his tax last
year Was about $3.50, and would be more
this year. likely" r. Il. Rinheart made :,
ringing speech" in which "hc told lust
how many good Valley farms went
down in taxation every year" y strong
organization was effected, and MANY
meetings will be held
The right OF the people pcaceablv
to assemble and to petition the gov
crnnent FOR redress of grievances
is one that the overburdencd people of
this Commonwealth ought to exercise
more widely and more frequently. Let
the citizens of every community who
are oppressed by the injustice OF the
Tax system meet and form permanent
organizations for the discussion of tho
greatest problem the people OF Vir-
sinia face to-day. If this community
movement becomes Statewide, it Will
compel the General Assembly 10 enact
such reforms as Will make each citi-
zen bear his due share In tho expenses
of the government. no more and no less
What community will be first TO fol-
low Lacey Springs. Tenth Legion and
Zenda?