The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-01-09


ment; the establishment and regulation
of roads, bridges, publiclandings, ferries
and mills, and the granting of ordinary
and other licenses. 1t gives them
power of appointing the places Of cleo
tons; to divide the county into suitable
and convenient districts for the purpose
of electing justices and other district
officers; for the better regulation, sup,
port and encouragement Of free schools,
and for such other local purposes as the
wants and necessities of the people may
require. and it shall do and perform all
such other duties as may be prescribed
by law. .
1t further provides that there shall
be elected in each county by the voters
thereof an Auditor, Treasurer, Sheriff,
Recorder, Assessor and such other
county officers as the Legislature may
authorize or direct, the duties Of which
officers shall be prescribed and defined,
as far as practicable, by general laws.
The auditor shall act as clerk to the
Board of Commissioners, and the Sheriff
shall act as Treasurer of the county,
giving a separate bond as such.
The remaining sections prescribe the
powers, duties and jurisdiction OF
Justices of the Peace, and do not differ
materially from our present system. 1t
also regulates the subject of appeals
from justices judgments.
The ninth article is on the subject OF
taxation, and provides that taxes shall
be equal and uniform throughout the
State, and that all property, both real
and personal, shall be taxed in proper
ton to its value, to be ascertained as
directed by law, but authorizes the
Legislature to exempt from taxation
property used for educational, literary,
scientific, religious or charitable pur-
poses, and personal property to an
amount not exceeding in value two
hundred dollars. 1t authorizes the
Legislature to tax hawkers, peddlers,
and other privileges as it may prescribe
by general laws.
The tenth article imposes limitations
upon the power of the Legislature
to contract debt or liabilities, or to
assume or become responsible for the
debts or liabilities of any county, city,
town, corporation or person. 1t pro-
vides that no money shall be drawn
from the treasury bu: in pursuance OIL
appropriations made by law, and an
accurate and detailed statement Of the
receipts and expenditures of the public
money shall be published annually.
The eleventh article is upon the sub
ject of forfeited and unappropriated
lands of the State.
Article twelfth continues all the re-
sources now provided for the creation
and accumulation Of a school fund, and
makes it imperative rpon the Legisla
ture to establish a thorough and eff
oient system of free schools. lt.furthel
imposes upon the Legislature the duty
Of fostering and encouraging moral, in
tellectual scientific and agricultural
improvement, and of making suitable
provision for the blind, insane, and dea
and dumb
Article thirteenth is in reference to
railroads, and provides that the rail
roads constructed in the State are de,
clared public highways, and free to al
persons for the transportation OF thell
persons and property thereon, under
such regulations as may he prescribed
by law. ~.
1t forbids any railroad corporation tc
consolidate its stock, property or fran
chises, with any other railroad owning q
parallel or competing line.
1t authorizes the Legislature to pas:
laws establishing reasonable maximum
rates Of charges for the transportation
of passengers and freight upon the diff
ferent railroads in this State.
Itempowers the Legislature to cor
rect abuses, and to prevent unjust dis
elimination and extortion in the rate:
OF freight, and Of passenger tariffs OF
the railroads in this State, and t
enforce snch laws by adequate penal
ties. -.
1t declares the rolling stock and othel
movable property belonging to an!
railroad corporation of this State to bs
considered personal property anc
subject to the incidents of such prop
erty. 81 ..
Ii declares that the exercises OF sth'
right OF eminent domain shall not bt
construed 30 as to prevent the subsection
by the Legislature Of the property anc
franchises of incorporated companies II
the demands of public necessity, tn
same as an individuals. =.
All laws passed for the incorporation
of railroad companies may be altered
amended or repealed.
The fourteenth article prohibits lot
teries; charters of incorporation to an.
church or religious denomination, bu
provides for securing by general law
the title to such property, and its ap
plication to the purpose designed.
1t declares that any person holding
office under the laws Of this State, wht
expect in payment of his legal salary
fees, or perquisities, receives, or consent
to receive, directly or indirectly, any
thing of value, or of personal advan
tage, or the promise thereof, for perform
ing or emitting to perform any offieia
act, or with the express or imphe'
understanding that his official action o
omission to act is to be in any degre
influenced thereby, shall be guilty Q
felony; and the Legislature is directe