The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-08-02
RAILROAD TAXATION.

iuOutuB hJioS w Sfe
trees out OF my clients pocket
RAILROAD TAXATION.
1t seems to us that there was much
good sense in Dr.. LoGANs remarks In
the Board Of Education on last Thurs
day evening, concerning the proposition
10 release the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad company from the payment
Of accrued taxes. 1t is questionable
whether the Board Of Education, or the
Board OF County Commissioners, has
any legal authority to grant the re-
lease asked. There are many serious
objections that may be urged against
it's legality. But if the company is will
ling to take the chances
of the action being permit
ted to stand, we may we'll afford to
waive whatever scruples we may have
as to the copstitptionality of the pro-
posed release from taxation. But the
question to be considered ia, What are
we to get in consideration Of the taxes
already due? 1t is Doctor LoGANs
idea in relation to this matter that
seems 10 us worthy OF special commen-
datlon.
The railroad company proposes the
enlargement Of their shops in this city
and the employment Of a greater
number of men. But we
want something more than this.
We want a change in the rela-
tons heretofore subsistipg between
this city and the management of the
road. Whether Intentional or not, the
freight tariffs and the arrangement OF
trains on the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road have heretofore inflicted upon
Wheeling as much Inconvenience and
loss OF trade as was possible. Let US
now see whether or not reform can be
effected in this regard. A favorable
change in the disposition ofthe railroad
company toward the business and in
terests of the city will be worth to
Wheeling far more than the
amount OF accrued taxes and more
than the establishment OF machine
shop employing five hundred men. The
city OF Wheeling wants to "bury the
Ratchet" and make peace with the
Baltimore and Ohio company, and only
asks that in the futrre arrangement OF
the tariff and the trains she shall not
be Disseminated against. We don't ask
just yet to be elevated to the position
Of prime favorite, but We do want to
receive fair and just and equal treat
ment. All we ask now OF the Balti-
more and Ohio company is
that it may let US up and
give to Wheeling q fair
show. In comparison with this we
cont care for the machine shop or for
any other improvements the company
may propose to erect here. The enlarge-
ment of the shops and the employment
OF an additional number of skilled me-
chanics is, OF course. highly desirable
and may be OF itself worth to the coun.
ty far more than the amount OF
the taxes to be cancelled, but we be-
lieve that the friendship Of the railroad
is matter OF still greater importance.
We therefore approve very cordially
the suggestion made by Doctor LOGAN
last Thursday evening. Let a committee
of the Board OF Commissioners and o!
the Board OF Education have a confer.
euce with Mr.. kEYsER or some other |
authorized agent Of the Baltimore and
Ohio Company and let the stipulations
upon each side be putt in shape for en-
forcement. Let a tair and square con.
tract be entered into in relation to the
matter, and We think we may safely
promise that if the railroad will desist
from its werlare upon the business in
terests of Wheeling it will not be seri-
ously bampered by the matter OF taxa.
ton.