The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-12-18
THE B. & 0. R. R. EXEMPTION.
A Strong Presentation of the
Case Against it.
The Discussion In First Branch OF
Council.

ing W tACullN thS ~ ~ "' ~ ~ i-J
from taxation past, present and future, on
condition it should Cxpend 100000 on
shops aud machinery in the city, beng
under consideration,
Mr.. ALLISON said he did not propose to
discuss the resolution; but he had voted
against that report in committee and eX'
pected to vote against ii here. lie thought
il quite likely, perhaps, that the Baltimore
& Ohio Company would very largely OK.
tend their shops, The proposition would
require them to do so; and he had heard
Mr.. Garrett state to the Railroad Commit
tee and others that his design was to
materially increase his establishment in
this city and maintain it. But | do not
believe, he said, that we have the power;
and If We had, 1t is establishing preCe'
dent that will annoy and trouble us very
much hereafter. five grant II privilege
Of this kind to one corporation We must
do it for another; aud there is no reason
why a corporation should have adVan'
tagcs over an individual, and in conse.
QuCnCe OF the precedent we shall be called
on to grant like rGliei to individuals us
well as corporations. have believed Mt
all times that we have not the power, !
am opposed to the resolution, and shall
content myself with voting against it.
Mr.. HARRISON moved to concur
Mr. BLAIR said he had expected TO hear
little more from his friend from the
First Ward Mr. ALLISON who was on
the Railroad Committee and expected to
understand the minutA connected with
this subject. lie himself knew nothing
about It but what he had seen in the pub.
lie prints and learned now from the read.
ing of the resolution II was not often
they were called on to meet II question of
this kind and of such magnitude During
his experience in Council, in ten or eleven
years, they had been called upon
frequently TO remit taxes, lie had
always held that taxes legally
assessed according to the laws Of the
State, the charter of the city and the or
dinanCG made In conformity herewith
could moi be RENTED, il they regarded
anything higher than their own opinions,
For himself he had always regarded n
higher authority in matters OF this kind
than his own will. lie came here rs u
member Of Council representing Il certain
Ward, but as member Of the Council OF
the city Of Wheeling. lie was 10 repre-
sent his Ward but he was to do the best
for the interests Of the city Of Wheeling
to the best Of his skill and ability. That
was the oath he took when he assumed
the duties Of the Office. And paramount
to that, and above 1t all, the first oath he
took was that he would support the State
Ol West Virginia, |
Mr.. WILSON'S that the first part Of
the oath. Thought it was TO support the
Constitution OF the United States. /
Mr.. BLAIR-II the gentleman will
give Inc time will get up
10 the Constitution Of tho United
States As matter Of course there is no
dispute on that point. But 50 fl rs We
are concerned here legally, the main part
Of the Oath We take when VIC assume the
duties Of COunCilmCn Is to support the
Constitution Of the State Of West Virginia.
| consider that oath binding. Now II
matters not 10 me whether consider that
Constitution right or wrong, II take that
oath it is binding. II can read Mt oil, il
| can read the Constitution Of my State
and understand what 1t means, ! certainly
understand II to mean that taxes shall be |
equal on all species Of property; that the
exemptions shall be only such rs are stated
in that Instrumentation religious, literary |
and other purposes named l do not
know that railroads arc literary or reIi.
gious institutions. lave never found
TINT out yet There are certain classes Of
property exempted there that can vote
TO exempt, property used for religious, lit.
Crary, scientific or charitable purposes or
public property; but When it comes down
10 railroads or individuals wO have got
nothing to do with It. Therefore meet
this question on the brOad.gaugc, that I'm.
der the oath have taken as u member OF
this Council, | dare not vote for that pro. |
position. ! think can appreciate the
situation Of the Railroad Company.
would like to see them come here, and
all that but when am called
on in my official capacity to do
al thing l think Is morally wrong,
cannot nor will not do 1t. hope 1t will
DO the pleasure Of this Branch to consider
this matter very carefully, and consider
II with view to It's application TO cases
that may hereafter arise; because | can.
not conceive any difference at all between
n railway company and one Of our prin.
Cipal manufacturing companies. | tried
to think that out. cannot see any differ.
enCo. Suppose my friend REIsTEIl, who
represents the Belmont Works, comes in
here and Hys: We are about to move
our works to BenwoOd Or Belaire.
What are you going 10 do that for
Your taxes are go high we cannot stand
1t, We must get out Of this, and unless
you release US from taxation, we are
bound TO remove 10 Belairo. Well, on
the same principle, must vote that the
Belmont Company shall be released from
what they may now owe the city aud
from all taxes that may accrue for time
immGmorlal. l regard the Belmont Nail
Company about as important TO the city
as the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Com.
pany. Take away Our manufacturing
companies such rs that, and you will
lave no use for tho railway companies
The Belmont Company employs about as
many men as the other.
Here am called upon to lcgslnte not
only for the past but for the future; moi
only to release what they owe now, but
likewise all the taxes that may accrue ill
Gabriel blows his horn-nO time fixed
Do you suppose can stand up here and
tax my Childrens children md yours
voting their rightsawayY ICannpt do y.
II is not within my power. The consli
tuition Of my State says shall not do 1t,
and, think, very wisely. do not think
anybody should he entrusted with such
power.
think II IL the duty Of tho city Of
Wheeling to protect the interests Of her
citizens, and in doing that, Of course, we
must pursue tho plan laid down in the |
loypa ra0nlatinp thC Ununril nj tho cttv In |