Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-14
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MEETS TO REVISE
STATE TAX SYSTEM
Both Houses Convene in
Extraordinary Session
and Begin Big Work.
ADOPTS RULE DESCRIBING
PERMISSIBLE LEGISLATION
Will Require Special Consent of
Both Houses to Consider
Nontax Bills.
COMMISSION PLAN UNPOPULAR
Majority Of Members Appear TO Fa-
vor Some Form of Seq
regatiOn.
ADOPTS RULE DESCRIBING
PERMISSIBLE LEGISLATION
COMMISSION PLAN UNPOPULAR
Majority Of Members Appear TO Fa-
ror Some Form of Seq
regatiOn.


Tho lawmakers of Virginia are mar
shaled for the fray
The General Assembly has moved to
the task of go rectifying the mistakes
of the existing tax code that the bur
den OF taxes upon the people of the
commonwealth shall be cqualzcd: that
'hc rich and the poor shall bear. each
according II their means. a fair and
just share Of the taxes That Is the
specific purpose for which tho extra
ordinary session Of the Legislature was
called.
But tho popular idea that the present
unsatisfactory system OF taxation is to
hc supplanted immediatcly by an
equitable fair and just plan that Will
give needed relief to the ovcrburdcned
taxpayers. and compel the tax dodger
TO contribute to the States revenues in
proportion to the privileges and profits
he enjoys through residence and bust
ness interests that are his, is shared
by few, II any. members OF the Legis-
laturc,
Few OF the members OF either branch
believe t,at either of the plans sub
mitted by the Tax Commission will be
a whole. Some express the belief that
partial segregation system will be
adopted. system under which public
utility corporations Will be made liable
TO taxation by the State alone. and
freed OF local taxation. There are
many who confess that they are un-
able at this time to predict intelligent
ly what the fruits of the special session
will be
NEW RULE AIMED At
NONTAN LEGISLATION
The one significant move made By
the Assembly at the initial session
yesterday was the adoption Of joint
resolution prohibiting the Introduction
OF any bills except measures affecting
the tax system without the consent OF
both houses. The adoption OF the
resolution by practically a unanimous
vote Is taken to indicate the sincerity
ani carnestness of the lawmakers and
their determination to agree upon "A
new system OF taxation il IL can be
consistently done, or at least to amend
the present system to the best pos
slble advantage.
There was ample evidence on the
opening day to show that the commits
sion plan recommended by the Tax
Commission is not popular. II has
more adhercnts In the Senate than In
the House OF Delegates. but the ma
jority that does not regard 1t with
favor Is Overwhelming. Advocates OF
the commission plan attribute this un-
mistakable sentiment to the fact that
the great majority OF the lawmakers
arc not familiar with the plan advo-
Gated by the majority of the Tax Com
mission. They hope to convince many
OF the members not now friendly to the
plan. and to win them over In the
course OF the coming dr. yates.
GENERAL PREFERENCE FOR
PARTIAL SEGREGATION
The preference for the partial segre
cation form was manifested strikingly
at the opening session by the enthu-
siastic and prolonged applause that
followed the reading of the Governors
message In each of the houses The
demonstration might be likewise in
terpreted as an involuntary. natter-
Ing tribute to Governor Stuart for
many of those who joined In the rap
turous applause were inspired more
by the confidence they reposed In the
good Judgment of the executive than
by any profound knowledge they pos
sessed of the subject discussed In the
message. 1t was obvious they were
not ecstatically applauding opinions of
the executive which were Identical
with their own. This Incident, with
its psychological phase. was one of the
most interesting of the day.
There were but eight absentees when
The roll OF the House was called. and
three OF these appeared before the read
ing of the Governors message was con-
Guided. The floors OF the House and SEN
ate were crowded by members and their
friends for more than half an hour be-
fore the two branches were called to
order by the presiding officers. There
we're the customary greetings hand
shakings and fluctuations between the
lawmakers from all ports of the state
Lieutenant Governor Ellyson, in the
senate. and Speaker Edwin P. Cox, in
the House, held levec. each the centre
Of group Of friends.
CROWDS IN GALLERIES
ENJOY PROCEEDINGS
The House and Senate galleries filled
gradually. Almost half Of the crowd
OF spectators that found seats were
women. Every scat was occupied be-
fore the noon hour arrived. The
throng Of spectators remained until tho
hour OF adjournment, seeming to enjoy
tho proceedings. and they Joined heart
CONTINUED on Seventh Pago)