Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-01-09
West Virginia and Prohibition.

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Through the courtesy of Hon. Har-
vey W. Harmer, of Clarksbrrg, W. Va.
a former member OF the West Virginia
State Senate and member Of the pres
ent Senate, having been elected uoon .
platform for the ratification Of the
prohibition national amendment by Q
majority of more than 200, leading
every one on the ticket, We have before
US a copy Of the advance sheets Of the
fourth annual audit of that State filed
by Hon. Walter S. Hallanan, State Tax
Commissioner, with the Governor
This report shows a most gratifying
condition OF West Virginia's finances
and constitutes complete refutation oil
the contention that liquor license feet
are essential to successful government
al financing.
After four years Of prohibition, West
Virginia closed the last fiscal year with
an actual balance TO the credit OF the
general fund in its treasury Of nearly
Sl,OOOOO0-to be exact, Seel .SSS so.
The commissioner in his letter OF
transmittal advises the Governor:
1t is estimated that the general fund
will finish the present year, July /
1919, with an actual balance or sur
plus of approximately Sl,OOo'OOo atier
providing for all appropriations in et-
feet. West Virginia is, therefore, able
TO enter upon the worlds reconstruc-
ton period without being required to
seek new or additional revenues fer
state purposes. West Virginia is
further fortunate in that no part OF bel
revenue is received from liquor licenses
Hence, when the nation goes dry ir
1919, the finances of West Virginia will
not be disturbed.
West Virginia swept her house four
years ago and has it ready for the grea
enterprise of reconstruction.
The condition OF her finances
surplus in the general fund OF sub
stantially $l,O00,000-is all the mo
significant when it is known that the
State tax levy for the year beginning
July 1, 1918, is but 7 cents, as COM
pared with II cents for the preceding
year, reduction of 4 cents, or more
than one-third; and in the light OF the
further fact that during the last three
years 81 ,557.14 were expended for
buildings and lands and permanent i'm
provements, and that during the same
three-year period quite S2,5OOOOC
were expended for the support OF loca
schccls. And it is especially sig
nifc.lt when it is remembered tha
on Jl,J I, 1915, after taking care Of al,
appropriations, the State had deficit
Of 81, 100000.
Four years of prohibition, with in
creased expenditures for lands and per-
manent improvements, generous pro-
visions for the support Of local schools
a reduction of more than one-fhird in
the State tax levy, and surplus in the
State treasury of 100000 with the
assurance that increased expenditures
incident 20 reconstruction after the
great war can be provided for without
raising the tax levy, furnish an object
lesson that ought TO reassure and give
decision to every State legislature in the
land.
They cover with utter and complete
confusion every contention made by
pro-liquor advocates and journals as &c
the necessity for liquor revenues &c
meet governmental needs.
BY an amendment to the State con-
stitution, State budget system was
recently adopted and a State Bulge
Commission created. II is estimated
that, il expenditures are kept at the
present rate, the present revenues will
exceed expenditures for the years 1919
and 1920 by quite 100000, leaving
the present surplus Of 100000 un-
impaired.
We congratulate the State govern
ment Of West Virginia and her people
upon the record they have made. They
have performed lasting service not
only for themselves, but for the whole
Union. What West Virginia has done
other States can do.--Frank Hanley's
Journal.