The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-01-26
2 VA LEGISLATURE

WEST VA, LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
MONDAY, Jan. %.
PRAYER by Rev. D. W. Fisher.
The committee on Elections and Privilege
=, rsrprted that James Fl. Hinchman hsd
bssn dsifspdlsvfully elected q member Ct
The following resolutions were offered
and adopted:
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the committee
on Taxation and Finance enquire into the
e~xpediency of allowing Sherifs until the
3lst day of December, 1864 to return De-
linquent List for 1863, ms b
BY MI. Bumgarner: That the Judiciary
COMMITTEES enquire and report whether any
additional Liquidation is necessary respect
ing the compensation Of Prosecuting At
tornies and Jailors. So eiGsi-
By Mr.. Williamson: That the committee
Of Taxation and Finance enquire into the
expsdiency Of. allowing Sherifs and other
officers collecting public revenue increased
compensation for the collection thereof.
By Mr.. Peterson: That the committee
on Claims and Grievances be requested to
enquire into the expediehcy of making an
appropri alton fer the relief Of the armed
militia and other officers of the State Tor
their wives, widows or minor heirs) who
have been or may be captured or killed by
the armed rebels, or have died in rebel pris
ons. r.gf @
By Mi. Lamb. That the Judiciary com
mitteo enquire and report what provision
should be made by law for paying the ex
penses Of Judges while holding Courts out
| of their own circuits.
By Mr.. M'Grew: That the committee on
the Judiciary be instructed to enquire. and
report by bill or otherwise, what legislation
Unnecessary npop.=thezanbject of express
companies, in addition to the existing laws
regulating common carriers. ~ 'e
BY Mr.. Hagar: That the Judiciary com.
mittse enquire and report as to the expedi
eacy of allowing Union men who have been
robbed Of their property by rebels, to put
such property with the damage into any
| debt or debts owed to rebels who have aid
ed in this rebellion. And further, that
property of soldiers who have served out
their time Of enlistment. or have been hon
orably discharged, shall not be taken to
pay debts due to rebels. - .
Mr. Holman asked and was granted leave
to introduce a bill exempting homesteads
from levy or taxation.
Mr.. M'Donald presented apetition OF cit
liens of Calhoun county asking q removal
of the county seat to Simon P. SLump's
farm %. -
Mr.. Lamb, from Judiciary committee in
response to petitions from Upshur and Mo-
nongalia asking an extension of the Stay
Law, reported that it was inexpedient to
legislate upon the subject. "a,
On motion of Nh. Wheat the report ofthe
judiciary Committee in relation to exempt
ing the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from tax.
alton from taxes for the years l86l-2-3r
Mr.. Wheat moved the House reject the
report. The committee had reported thai
it was inexpedient; but had failed to assign
their reasons therefor. Wa it u%nconstitu
tional, or did the committee deem it unne
cessary2 1t Was but due to the mover O
the resolution, the Railroad Company, anc
the House that this matter should be ex
planned Was the business of the House t.
be transacted exclusively by committees?-
Were they to be the sole judges of thi'
matter, and to decide whether a bill shoult
or should not be introduced? Every shove
full of dirt thrown up by this company, ev
cry rail laid, and the millions spent, al
tended to improve Western Virginia, apc
it was the duty of the House to encourage
improvements. 1t was not proper tina
such improvements should be taxed.
Mr.. Lamb said it was not the intention o
the committee to treat the subject with an
possible contempt. he could state the rea
sons of one member for the decision thu
committee had made. In 1916 the Legisla
ture passed a law %exemptlng the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad from taxation until its net
profits should exceed six per cent. Thi:
was near twenty years ago. Was this NO
exemption enough? 1t was this that lDhu
enced him to vote for the report. The road
it was true, had suffered from the war, bu,
it had nevertheless made money, and wa:
now in good condition If the gentleman
was not satisfied with the report, he coult
introduce a bill of bis own
Mr.. Wheat said it might be true that thu
road had made money, but had it not los'
money by the frequent raids aud incursion'
Of the enemy. The improvements of the
road were improvements of Western Vir
GINA, and on tho principle of justice anc
equity they should be exempted from tax
alton.
Mr.. Ross said his reason for concurriDe
in the report of committee was that The
taxes had never been assessed.
M. Wheat replied if that was so, he was
satisfied. he had accomplished his object
Mr.. Holman said the taxes for Marion
county had been levied, but the Attorney
for the road had gave it as his opinion that
the road was exempt aud would stand sui
before payment would be made. Not de
string to 60 to law, the county had uot
collected the taxes. '..a7 q "t
A vote being taken, Mr.. Wheat's motion
was lost, and the report Of tue committee