The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-02-11
TO me People OF the state.

We invite your attention to the action
on the part of a number of the leading
citizens of Wheeling in regard to the
bill now pending before the Legisla-
ture, for. the practical release Of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
from taxation. You will see by their
appeal in the first column of this page,
that it is proposed to scatter memorials
against the passage of this bill, broad
cast throughout the city, and to send
them up as numerously signed as pos
sible to the Legislature. This is an ex-
ample, we submit, to be followed by
the people of every village, town and
county throughout the State, far and
near.
We have printed lot of these blank
memorials, and we will send them to
all applicants on the receipt of return
postage, or say two cents per
sheet. Let the active men in each
community of every county take
hold of them, scatter them among the
people, get them signed, and then
promptly forward them to their dele
gates in the legislature. The present
bill can be defeated in this way, but
it it is not certain that it can by any
means less thorough and demonstra-
tive. Last Fridays debate in the SEN
ate is far from encouraging, less sc
than was generally expected, and
hence the feeling of anxiety and I'M
certainty here that has led TO the pres
ent movement among our citizens
There is a possibility that the bill
either in its present shape or something
akin to it, may be passed. In al
probability its fate depends upon the
prompt action of the people in the va
rious counties.
We need not explain the bill anew
Read the memorial in circulation here
Much could be added to it, but thu
points specified are enough. A hun
dred such documents, numerously
signed as possible, should be sent il
this week. We trust that the people o
Hancock, Brooke, Marshall, and al
the adjoining counties, will responds
once. Harrison and Doddridge, we be
lieve, are already on hands with pro
tests. Every county in the State viii
follow suit, ifonly time is allowed
Ninety citizens out ofevery hundred il
the commonwealth, are against the bill
if they only have the chance to be heard
All that we ask on their behalf is, tina
the legislature will delay &C
ton for the present. Meanwhile
let the tax-eaten and tax-threateneC
people of the State read and study thu
moustrous bill itself, which we alsC
publish to-day for their inspection. II!
unrighteous and oppressive provisions
are enough to startle any mind sufi
GENTLY intelligent to understand anc
appreciate their far reaching and never
ending operation and consequences
We call this monstrous bill. 1t II
more monstrous than the notorious
Camden and Amboy exemptions il
New Jersey, for there a revenue is paiC
to the State that defrays a large portion
OF the taxes, and 1t is also provided tina
local travel and freight shall be carried
7 at reduced rates. Here, e1actl.
the reverse is our situation
The discrimination is agains
local business, and instead OF assisting
us in our necessities to pay our heay.
taxes, the Baltimore company, not
withstanding its earnings are so i'm
mense, demand to be relieved from
anything like fair or just proportion
of their taxes. It we are so blind IS Il
release them, we deserve all the Honse
quences that may ensue. They ar
then most efectuaIly our masters for
ever, and all complaint or protest will
be unavailing. Now is our time, o
never.