The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-26
Taxation-West Virginia.

The taxes of the southern States are
greatly less in amount than those of the
northern; yet perhaps we will find it
harder to pay them, since we have so little
money. In comparing with them, we find
that the national debt of the south, in
Guiding the local county debts incurred for
the war, are all wiped out as with a
sponge-indccd, even more easily. 1t was
annihilatcd in single instant. Not 50
in the northern States. They have first
their national debt of the Federal Govern
ment, as we have, and then their town and
county debts incurred for the war besides.
These last are in some places enormous !;
for bounties rose from one hundred to one
thousand, and even twelve hundred dol
lars. 1t is true that, in every case where
it was possible to saddle the United States
Treasury with these iabilitics-eSpecially
in those of the northern States, which de-
nandcd to be reimbursed by the million
the municipalities, and counties, and States
have shutlled off the weight of debt with
the greatest eagerness; but nevertheless
there is great debt left still for them to
pay.
A friend who has visited the northern
part of Western Virginia recently says
that the taxation there is beyond all pre-
ceden.. He named one gentleman whose
State and county taxes are near four hun
dred and fifty dollars whereas before the
war they were less than fifty dollars. He
named one farm that formerly rented for
four hundred dollars per annum, which
now pays taxes amounting to upwards of
five hundred dollars.
To add to these heavy eXactions upon
the land and the labor of our "wcstcrn
ellow-citizens," according to letter We
have seen) the Wheeling government is
swelling expenditures and creating Offices
in manner that is alarming. The registry
of voters has hatched swarm of officers
to haraSs the people and eat out their sub
stance. 1t is estimated that this registry
will cost the State some sixty thousand
dollars. Almost as much as session OF
our Legislature costs this State. And
all for the purpose of disfranchising the
very best people in the State, and keep
ing the offices and emoluments Of the
Government in the hands of the radical
portion of the population. The condition
of things in West Virginia is monstrous.
Happy in comparison are We here in old
Virginia. Here are no distinctions, no
registrics. Yet here the Radicals are furi-
GUS because they are not elected to all the
Offices They are not restricted in any
right or liberty that We know OF. The
people do not like them, and will not vote
for them. We never heard that they were
known to sacrifice their opinions-their
prejudices if you choose--in voting for
persons they did not like, and we cannot
see with what reason they can expect to
be voted for by persons who do not agree
with them, and, what is more to the point,
whom they are constantly denouncing and
vililiying, and whose interests they would
destroy by the policy they recommend.
This Is tue difference between us and
West Virginia, and in this light we have
some real consolation in that separation
which has saved US from strife with the
proscriptiye and vicious men who control
the government Of that State.