Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1926-07-07
FIVE LIVING STATE GOVERNORS
TO SUPPORT TAX AMENDMENT
MacCokle White, Hatfield, Cosnwen And Morgan, Quintet
Of statesmen Who Served State, Favor
Lower Tax Rate


,f Tax levies intangible property
Hon w. A. MacCorke Hon. A. B. Whts Hon. Henry D.
Hatfield Hon. John Cornwel and Hon p Morgan each OF
whom required face problem during their respective
either letters Robt l. Archer OF Hunting
public address, have announced their support OF the In
tangible amendment mainly that Ito adoption 10
essential the future growth and progress of West Virginia
While the former executives all OF the political
they united the support OF the intangible tax amend
believing its ratification will materially aid the taxpayers OF
allow West Virginia keep her money home IN
of lodging the banks OF neghbong states where lower
of taxation intangible property prevail Here are the
declarations of the West Virginia Governors:
Hon VIM A. Maccorkle
II p favor Of the proposed amendment for the lasn-
cation of property for taxation The trouble now that the
thing real and the taxes that and
fails intangible property AS we progress In business CIV
zaon the intangible property becomes the chief property ana
It should be taxed West Virginia becoming very rich IN
of property and it be taxed properly
The experience of Kentucky will be ours In that
formerly the real produced all the TAXATION or near
y all and the have gotten intangible property
and it has increased to immense extent
Hon. Albert B. White
Fr twenty five years have and advocated
classification amendment State constitution that In
angbles may be brought the tax duplicate Whe Oov-
ernor repeatedly urged the Legislature submit such an
amendment advocated In and public addresses
In the past twenty FIVE years State has lost literally
millions dollars of State by reason OF not having
such authority classify nangbes from other property Inc
statistics the states which nave adpa
the method show enormous gains IN State rev.
emphasize the losses we as state nave
suffered.
at IS the sane safe revenue producing method of bring
ing in State revenues the elusive intangible wealth OF the
State and will the full general property tax
and in consequence goes hiding 1t sense APP
piled to the problem which will bring its reward in enor
mousiy from property now escaping
taxation"
Hon. Henry D. Hatfield
thy with amendment
70 the state constitution limiting taxation intangible proper
tv and will vote ratification when Governor recon-
mended legislation has been apparent for years at
the State cannot practical operation OF Our tax statutes
assess intangible property the basis visible property
assessed
after study the situation am constrained to be-
l;ev that the of the rate ntangbles VIII re-
suit here neighbor states IN procuring greater
s from this source of property will retain within the
State liquid assets that are now driven across
the State borders because of existing budensome tax eVes
And aside from any other argument that may De
is matter of right and the people OF West Virginia should
raty"
Hon E. F. Morgan
Because believe its ratification Will materially AID IN the
deveopment of West Virginia the benefits accrng to all our
,eonle shall support the proposed amendment to the State
providing for the classification of intangible prop
for taxation 1t progressive and in harmony with
the action by those states surrounding US Oo'
.rnor suggested the submission OF this proposal
"Invisble property be measured tor taxation by
49, cam. varsick that apply visible property 1t is too
easily hidden naturally flows to other states where the tax
buden not 50 We have failed in our efforts to place
intangible property on the tax books we ousn. % W
-. We do know that classification OF intangbles has
been in Virginia, Kentucky in Maryland and other
states where it has been adopted
~Our greatest material advantage that will result tnat
we will keep West Virginia at home to be appeo 70 10
-, deyeIonment 1t will be here available for home building
Co. Of lands for the local merchant and Tor
those ENGAGED in industry 1t progressive step that West
Virginia should hesitate to take
t; ddres.es made within the State Hon John J. Corr
Ill has advised ratification of the proposed amendment