The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-02-18

Opposition to the passage of any such
measure as the bill now before the Leg
islature, discriminating in favor of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company.
He said Wheeling men had lost sever
oil millions of dollars by this railroad;
Wheeling capital had been lavished TO
secure the completion OF the road to this
city aud through the State, and now
notwithstanding the fact that the cof-
fers of the company were running over
with surplus funds, they wished to
evade their just dues to this State. He
was opposed to any legislation discrim-
mating in favor of that or any other In
corporated company; he wanted taxa
ton to be uniform and equal.
On motion, Messrs. A. w. Campbell,
VIM. Paxton and c. Oglebay were ap-
pointed q committee to draft resolu-
lions expressive of the sense of the
meeting.
The committee retired, and during
their absence Mr.. W. Z. Stevenson,
President of the State Senate, was called
upon for his views on the subject. Mr..
8. said the people were SO divided as to
the merits and dement's of the Bill that
he had not formed o decided opinion
upon the subject. He was satisfied the
Legislature would weigh the matter
we'll before q decision was rendered on
the question, and 10 what was best for
the interests Of the people, not only OF
the city of Wheeling, but the State ct
large.
The committee OH resolutions reported
the following, which were adopted:
Resolred, As the sense of this meeting
that no bill should be entertained by
our Legislature in regard to the pend
ing Baltimore and Ohio railroad bill
that does not essentially recognize and
embody that explicit declaration of Sec.
LIST of Art. 9Th of our State Constitu-
tion-viz: that taxation shall be equal
and uniform throughout the State, and
all property, both real and personal,
shall be taxed in proportion to its value,
to be ascertained as directed by law"
And that "no one species of property
from which a tax may be collected, shall
be taxed higher than any other species
of property of equal value" And that
the only properties that can be exempt
ed or relieved from the plain declara-
tions thus made, are those specifically
named in the Constitution-viz: prop
erty used for educational, literary, sci
entifc, religious or charitable purposes
and public property"
Resolred, That we view with great
deal of apprehension the proposition to
release for all future time from the con.
troll of our legislation any great and
growing corporation, believing that the
policy is not only demoralizing, but alb
solutely dangerous to the vital interests
of the commonwealth. Corporations
are always grasping and aggressive
They keep all they get, and constantly
seek to enlarge their privileges n i'm
munities. The history of all such in
stitutions is fraught with the warnings
that unless they are controlled in the
interest of the public, they themselves
become the controllers against that in
terest. Especially is this the case
where grants in perpetuity are made to
them, and therefore it is the part OF a
wise and Jealous craftsmanship to guard
well against this chief danger.
q Resoired, That we cordially endorse
the memorials that have already been
sent into the Legislature against the
pending bill, and that, in addition there
to, we most respectfully and earnestly
pray the Legislature to Internationally
reject the proposition as it stands.
Resolred, That we are actuated by no
narrow spirit or feeling of hostility
against the Baltimore road. We desire
to accord to it every proper facility for
the transaction of its business, and we
take both pleasure and pride IL its pros
perity, as that all we seek is a perfect
equality in respect to the burdens OF
taxation, to the end that they may in
the spirit and language of the constitu-
ton, rest upon every interest Of the
State alike.
Benz. Stanton, Esq, being called upon,
took the floor and spoke for some time
on the necessity of guarding against
mouied monopolies, and at the same
time keeping a sharp watch upon the
growth of the State and her interests
in the way of incorporate companies.