Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-08
tho price is fair Is indicated by the plans of
the farmers materially to increase their
wheat acreage
For Good Faith and Progress,


Tr is the determination of Governor West
moreand Davis that his administration
snail stand Tor those things which are of good
Iaith and bring. prosperity and progress to
virginia, never permitting it to violate the
one through the laws technicalities or rem
aerlns a full measure OF the other impos-
siole through a short-sighted business policy
Ahis mas been his determination since he as-
sumea the governorship, and his unchanging
attitude Is given especial emphasis before
the people by his indirect answer to the e1-
amlner OF records for the Tenth judicial
District. In this be insists that the intent
and spirit of the laws must be observed, and
no business which the State has invited to
take up residence within its borders be
mulcted or driven away by legal technical
ties or studied inhospitality
IN former years Virginia's laws and gen.
eral attitude have not been attractive to
capital. Money has flowed in golden streams
to the upbuilding OF other States while pass
ing this one by. Vast sums of capital which
mad been attracted here for investment have
been driven away by harsh treatment. Gov
ernor Davis knows this, just as all progress
siVe business men know why the develop
ment OF Virginia has been notably backward.
Now. in the Governors opinion, to strike
capital another blow and exact another pound
OF flesh through an inadyertent lapse in the
Law" as II is proposed to do by the examiner
OF records in open defiance Of the Governor,
the State Tax Board and public opinion,
would serve not only 10 impeach the State Of
bad faith toward the nonresident corporations
which have been invited to take out their
charters here. out would drive and keep
away other capital besides the loss of which
the 100000 in taxes it is proposed to coll
iect on the intangbles Of nonresident cor
porations for the year 1915 would be in
significant.
SO lucid, so fully explanatory and so logical
mat he must. and will have the support OF
all citizens Of Virginia except those SO rabid
toward all corporate entities or so mistakenly
energetic in their search for taxable values
tnat they would at once ignore the States
good faith and future prosperity by taking
advantage of what is at the most techni-
CAVITY or legal oversight 1t should set at
rest the agitation OH the part of some for
the exacton Of the last penny CAPITAL can
be forced to pay.
Governor Davis promised the people OF Vir-
slnia that he would give them a progressive
business administration. That, so far as lies
WITHIN his power. he is giving them. But, as
he says In his letter, Our State has vast
natural and undeveioped resources We need
capital to render these available in our agri-
cultural and Industrial life. While the bur-
dens Of government should be shared by all,
care should be had that our tax laws be not
so administered as to drive capital from the
State, or to initiate against its advent here"
Otherwise, Virginia will continue to lag as it
has through mistakes of the past
The Governors letter Is proof SUFFICIENT
that he does not propose to have the State
hobbled through a short-sighted, hostile
policy toward capital. Without fair treat
ment and attractive inducements to investors
1t will seek other fields with broader policies,
and in it's absence there will be no revenues
wherewith to further the building of GOOD
roads, the making of great industries, the
continued upward progress OF the schools and
the manifold other public interests OF the
State. 1t is for these things that the Gov
ernor stands, and 10 which he has devoted
his administration,