Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-06-07
TRIDAY MORNING.. AUGUST rs.
An I.sue in the INJECTIONS this Fan.

An Issue in the Elections this Faii'
We alluded yesterday TO the coming
elections in October for members OF the
Legislature, and also touched upon the
question of Qualifications on the part OF
candidates.
There is an issue that has been before
the Legislature at its last TWO sessions
which it seems to us might properly be
settled by the people during the can
vass this fall, and thus save distraction
and waste Of time when the Legislature
meets In January.
We refer to the Baltimore aud Ohio
Railroad tax question.
We need not go over the ground COW
cred by that question in order TO afford
an understanding of the issue between
the State and the Baltimore Company.
In brief, the whole matter is this
Whether that company shall pay its
fair proportion OF the State taxes
agreeably 10 that section of the Consti'
taxation upon all the real and personal
property OF the commonwealth save in
certain exceptional instances specificai'
Iy named.
We submit that full enough OF the
States money has been wasted in dis
cussing the question before the legisla'
ture. We have but forty-dve days
session, and there is no reason why Il
week or ten days of it should be again
devoted to wrangle over the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad. Besides, there is
nothing new, that we know of, to be
determined by such discussion. But
II there is, candidates can just as well
dsveiope it on the hastings before the
people.
What we propose therefore is this
That those In favor of enforcing the tai
provision of our constitution nominate
their candidates, and those opposed to
such enforcement match their men on
the other side. Let us have an open,
square and fair fight on the stump in
the presence OF tie electors of the State,
und thus settle the dispute in advance
Ofthe next session.
II the issue is not thus made up and
disposed OF prior to the meeting in jan
uary, we shall have another such set.to
AS we had last year, and the year before,
and another adjournment will perhaps
take place without a different result.
Why thus keep the matter is suspense
from year TO year, Why not let the
people settle 1t so far as the Legislature
is concerned, and leave what remains
after their verdict for the decision of the
Courts?
There were those in and out OF the
Legislature, last winter, who claimed
that there was divided sentiment
among the counties on the question:
that some oil the people were indifferent,
and others opposed to the tax. That
being SO, let us try definite con.
illusions and ascertain il possible where
those anti-tRx counties and inditfer-
ent people are located. Let us find
out whether Jefferson, Berkeley, Nor
gan, Hampshire, Mineral, Preston.
Taylor, Marion, Wetzel. Marshall and
Ohio counties, through all of which the
road passes, are in favor Of the tax.
They cast a divided vote in the Legisla-
ture last winter. Let us see if they will
not be more Of a unit next time.
We venture to say that II an active
canvass Is made on this issue this fall
throughout the fifty-two counties of the
State, that au autl-tax member of either
house Will be something of rarity
next winter.
p. S.-Since the above article was put
in type, we have letter by last nights
mails from a subscriber in the interior,
who writes:
Enclosed find five dollars 10 renew
my subscription for the Daily. will
take your paper while you go for the
equalization OF taxation. When you
cease TO advocate that doctrine my time
will be up soon. Stand up for the great
interests of West Virginia, and let us
have taxation on all property according
TO value. The Republican party must
use all possible economy in State eX-
penditures."
We only afflx this digest OF our cor
respondents letter to show that there
is a feeling on the question embraced in
our remarks above, and one that should
be effectively expressed at the ballot
box this fall. The writer is only one of
many that want the question settled
and taken out of the Legislature.