Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-01-29
That Deficit.

The articles which follow are
illuminating,
Those who voted for. the Pro-
hibition Amendment have evil
IDENTIFY no idea of letting any
statement which may indirectly
prejudice. the measure in the
minds of the taxpayer go I'M
challenged.
Kabletown, W. Va Jan 10, 1914.
To the Editor,
Sir:-In recent, issue Of The Balti-
more Sun and the Farmers Advocate,
they seemed pleased to expostdlate
upon report of Speaker George, of
tho West Virginia Legislature. to the
effect of one million dollars deficit in
cident to the Prohibition Amendment
going into effect The Advocate says:
According to the op;pien of Speak er
George Of the West Virginia House of
Delegates theabolition of saloon licenses
under Prohibition which becomes eff
fective July l, there will be deficit in
the State Treasury of a million dollars
q year. AS the Legislature will not
convene in regular session until jan
uary of next year, Mr.. George urges
Governor Hatfield to call an extra $685.
sion to provide some means of raising
revenue just what course will be
taken to raise the needed revenue has
not been indicated either by Speaker
George, or any other lea1er. 1t is like
ly, however. that production tax on
coal, oil and gas will be one of the
methods advanced. The only alterna-
tive to this method is big increase in
the state tax rate. But the latter will
prove unpopular The situation that
confronts the party in power in West
Virginia is such as to make them des-
perate.
These reports are misleading.
AS they come through the press they
should be corrected through the press.
Our Editors, should not be too biased in
giving. space for one and declining the
other.
1t is obvious that advocates of
the liquor traffic never lose an oppor-
tunity to circulate exaggerated reports,
since there are no truths by which they
can substantiate their arguments.
There are two ways Of looking at this
matter. When we shut our eyes to
one, we may magnify the other. Let
US look both sides squarely in the face.
and we will not find the situation such
that the party in power need be desper
ate, as they would have US believe.
Admitting, though greatly exaggera-
ted, deficit of one million dollars by
the abolition of saloon licenses What
will be the reduction in expenses char
geable to the saloon?
Take for example our own Charles
Town and HaFpers Ferry. Has the
revenue from the saloon ther Elm defray-
ed the expenses of care and prosecution
qf all lawlessness directly traceable to
the saloons in the past year? The real
facts in the case are, the liquor traffic
10 pot an asset, but liability upon the
State.
The State Auditors books show that
, the entire revenue derived from the
liquor traffic of West Virginia is $685.
5S4.72.
A conservative estimate of the an.
pual cost is 1874, 784.5O. Add to that
the cost of caring for paupers, lunatics
and idiots, 81 per cent of whom are
ehargeable to whiskey, and will have
consumed the 81, 900, 600 and more be-
eides.
Men, are naturally pessimistic;
they are also often like horses when
they become frightened at small and
unusual things they see double. Unless
2 gentle hand or voice is near by it be-
comes real CONSERVATION.
When measure carries by major
ity of so, 4S6, as did the prohibition
amendment Of West Virginia. surely
God Is with it and right will prevail. lt
Other states have withstood the pan
les following prohibition. Why not
West Virginia with its wealth of over
one billion one hundred millions Of tax
able property?
Even should Speaker Georges report
be absolutely true, dear people. be not
dismayed. In short time matters will
adjust themselves.
MATTE HARRIS
President Jefferson County W. C. T. u.
Since the above was written the call
for an extra session of the State Legis,
laturetto relieve the desperate situa-
tiOn' confronting the party in power)
has been abandoned.
M. H.
By all means let both sides be
heard in "the peoples forum
while the State is getting ready
to enforce the Prohibition laws
which become effective on the
first of July.