West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-08-31
NOT TO BE TRUSTED

That the Republican party of West yir-
ginia is wholly untrustworthy in the mat
ter oil taxation is proved conclusively by
the vacillating character of its promises
and performances. Away back in 1904
the distinct and positive pledge was given
that the direct state tax would be aban-
doned, and that the revenue needed for
the conduct OF the state government
would be raised through other sources.
The plan seemed entirely practicable TO a
large percentage Of the voters, although
the electorate was warned by the Demo-
Gratis that the pledge would never be full
filed. We have seen how the Republi-
cans, who have so much TO say about the
binding force OF declarations in national
platforms, have kept faith with the tax
payers of West Virginia.
Instead of relieving the burdens of
small property owners by the elimination
OF state taxes, Republican administrations
have not only found "other sources" of
revenue as they said they would, but they
have levied the heaviest direct taxation
in the history OF the state. The individ.
uai taxpayer last year paid in some in
stances two or three times az much as he
paid on the same piece OF property before
the Republican promise that he would
pay nothing was given, and in addition
his property stood its share of indirect
taxation. In other words, his tax burden
was more than doubled as the penalty of
his folly in putting his trust in Republi.
can promises.
The Republican machine leaders fully
realize that they are in grave danger of
being turned out of power, as they should
be, because Of their taxation record. and
are inventing all sorts of excuses, expla-
nations and evasions in the hope of
averting the fate that impends. During
the primary campaign the Charleston
Post, mouthpiece Of Governor Hatfield,
attempted TO shift the blame for the
enormous state levy upon the Combine
organized by Ben Resent bloom and backed
by Abe Lilly"-tbe same Abe Lilly who
was 80 warmly endorsed in the platform
OF the Huntington convention a few
weeks ago. The Post declared that Ben
jamin and Abraham were responsible for
the Increase, and added that "Instead of
that increase the direct tax might have
been already wiped out, as it is TO be in
any event as result OF the Republican
legislation enacted by Republican legis-
lature under the Hatfield leadership
Instead OF "wiping out" the direct state
tax, the administration has laid a direct
levy OF nine cents for this year.
And to cap the climax of it's record of
broken promises, the machine has actually
repudIated its pledge OF 1904, reiterated
many times siuce that year, by a declare
ton in its state piatform-not that it will
wipe OUTPUT that it will make "an
earnest effort to reduce" the direct state
tax. There are 80 many deserving Re.
publicans to be taken care OF on the nav.
roll that the machine frankly confesses
it's inability to keep faith with the tax.
payers.
The pledge OF elimination OF the direct
state tax has given place to promise of
IAN earnest effort to reduce" the tax,
and il the Hatfield ticket is successful in
November we may expect a pledge in the
platform OF 1920, to keep the direct tax
levy down TO minimum OF about twenty
cents. Wheeling Register.