The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1868-12-14
Rail-. ROAD TAX.

Certain members Of the Legislature arc
hammrrng out the subject oftaxing rail
roads. With bat !htle knowledge beyond
that which complimentary season tickets
impart, it is no. to be wondered at, if
they, while hammering, beat up the SUBJ
ieet into fragments, and render the tax as
valu!sss as fragments are, compared with
whole cloth. We judge that there are
about a: many opinions as to the mode Of
taxation and the disposition of the tax,
rs there arc members of,ha: body. and We
cannot. therefore, look for either wisdom
or justice at their hands. The fact that
an argument arises on the subject, i'm.
plies desire for an exemption either total
or partial Of tie mammoth aad wealthy
corporate property of the State from tax
alton. If such is not the desire. why not
simply assess the property as other prop
-r,y. and require the payment of the tax?
THE people will not much longer consent
10 have their lands and other property
taxed, and Tie rail reads Of one half of
their combined value, go free. When the
tax payer considers that by reason of this
grave omission, he is paying one-third
more taxes than is necessary or just, it
viii DC found that several radicals will, in
the future, be left a. home, and honest
capable men chosen to fill Their places.
On the question of the disposition of the
tax for county, township aud school pur-
poses, there is an injustice pervadiug the
Legislative scheme equally intolerablc with
that which demands total exemption
from al; taxes. The bill under consider
alton returns the levies to the counties
through which the roads pass. The Leg
isla'ure, it would seem, have forgotten
that the rail roads are franchises granted
10y the whole State, and are therefore, the
rroperiyof the State, and not OF the coun
ties, where by chance, tbay may be loca.
Ted. 1t would seem that the local alyan-
taGes derived BY the people of counties
through which those improvements are
made, ought to satisfy them, without de.
manding the exclusive use Of lcyics u pen
the property granted them by the State.
Justice requires the leyies on rail roads
to be returned to the whole people in coun-
ties, according TO some fixed rule. IF
there should be any departure from prin-
ciple on this subject, the leyies should be
returned to those counties WHO are de-
prived of their local advantages. Ask
the people Of Harrison which they prefer,
the local advantages granted them by the
State in the franchise of rail road, or
the tax on its property? and the answer
is ready on the lips Of every intellgcn,
man, that he prefers the former. No
member Of tie Legislature can return
unbiushingly to his constituents and say
tina. he has voted contrary to,le 70 cgoing
principles. Principle founded in justice
must be recognized, or else the whole
scheme becomes oiious. When the poo.
pie Of the several counties reflect that
this radical legislation dcprivcs them of
an amount equal to one-third of al! their
leyrs for county. township and school
purposes, to De expended amongst them,
and for their advantage, they will at once
and forever secrcc a change of rulers.
We have said that no member of the
Legislature can return unblushingly to
his constituents who have violated any of
the cardinal principles here cuuncin,cd.
But since last winters experience, when
. member, by lis vote rejected the location
Of the Capitol in his county, such men
as Bender and Gregory. no less innocent,
may plead Ignorance, and such shining
lights as Furgnson and Pinnell cor rea.
sons less excusable, may return and re-
ceivc the ova,ions Of their radical conS,it-
urnts as cou;radisiinguishcd from their
constituents proper, we confess we lave
but little hopes of reform-much less
hopes, if possible, Of relief from the ter
lible injustice which surround the affairs
Of our state.
----------->rs -
T., a.. 500, = Al 49,, Co.,, .