Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-05-20
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

Thirteen years ago, in the June number
of The West Virginia School Journal, Hon.
Thos. c. Miller, who was then State Su-
perintendent of Free Schools, wrote an
article for the Journal, OF which he was
editor. in which he called attention TO the
fact that West Virginia was being de-
pleted OF her resources TO The enrichment
of comparatively few men and that the
State was getting nothing in return. This
foboing of our natural wealth has been
going on for the thirteen years that have
interviewed, and still the individuals and
corporations who have been and still are
accommodating vast riches in this manner
are taking all and giving nothing in re-
turn. We reproduce Prof. Miller's article
at this time because it is just as time ly
now as if was then-perhaps more so, in
view of the fact that serious effort is
being made 10 place special tax on the
production OF coal and gas and oil. and
thus by giving the State the benefits to
which she is entitled remove some part
of the burden of taxation borne by ordi-
nary people not so privileged. We COM
mend the article to the attention OF
thoughtful persons. Ii is as follows:
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
Never in the history OF this State has
such material prosperity characterized our
growth as is indicated by the wonderful
development at the present time. Our
coal, oil, gas and lumber production is
really astonishing, and has become the
wonder of those about us. Immense tor-
tunes are being accumulate by individuals
and corporations in nearly all parts OF the
State. A few years ago few thousands
were thought TO be competence, now
we talk of millions with very easy and
seemingly natural grace.
All this progress is well, and we rejoice
TO see il, but we have question to ask,
and il is this Why are the school funds
| of the State not being increased more
largely by this rapid development OF our
material resources ? These products
Astounding in our mines and on our noun
tain tops are to us what the cultivable
land areas are to many States, which lands
are being sold or rented for the benefit OF
the school fund. They are receiving
large revenues from these SaleS-We are
getting nothing from our public domain
except that which is produced by slightly
! increased valuation, which, in conSldera-
ton of the great gain to the individual, is
ridiculouSly small. Our point is this !:
Why not levy a tax on these natural re-
sources that are being so rapidly taken
from our mountains and valleys? Say
one cent ton on coal, half cent on
barrel of oil, and a likewise moderate tax
on each OF our leading communicating
| for the benefit OF our school fund. Such
a plan would lessen the burdens Of taxa
ton now so unequally distributed, and
give us an adequate sum for the support
of our excellent school system.
What will be the condition in many
parts OF the State when our forests are
largely removed, many OF our mines
abandoned, the gas exhausted, our soil
| impoverished, the atmosphere vitiated,
and our streams polluted ? Whence will
| come our revenue? Go TO some parts OF
PENNSYLVANIA, where railroad engines and
even houses have sunk out OF sight IN old
mines, and to other points where vegeta-
| BILE life is almost completely DESTROYED by
the poisonous gases sent off from thous-
ands of coke ovens, and where pure wa
Ter can scarcely be found, and il will not
REQUIRE much stretch ofthe Imagination 10
picture the conditions that will prevail in
some parts of this State fifty years from
now, yes, even in Ten years The ques-
| ton is, shall all this great gain be held by
the corporations and the individual, or
shall the State have slight share in the
proceeds OF these various industries which
ii fosters and protects It's for the peo-
| pie 10 answer.