The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-04-07
LEGISLATIVE.
Taxation of Railroads. Speech by
senator Bennett.

and free schools, and for the con-
s.ructiOp Of the West Virginia ITospi.
tai for the Insane" coming up as un-
flushed business,
Mr.. Bennett moved to amend section
Z Of the substitute for tho bill by adj
ding at the sud thereof the words;
Which tax shall DO 10 lien Of all
other leyies or taxes for county aud dis
trict purposes; and so much taxes as
shall be received On account Of taxes
fer county and district purposes shall
DO devoted to the support Of free
schools.
On that mOiisu M. Bennett de-
manded tho ayes and noes, and the de.
lnand being sustained, they were or.
,lered and taken, and the amendment
adopted.
The ayes were:
MeMrs. johnson, (Preiident3 Ben
nett, BIakOmore, Caldwell, Dickinson,
Eastman, Hall, (Of BARBOUR Melon
aid, McGlBHoy, Shelton Summers
Gawter, Walker aud WilkinsOn-ll
The noes were:
Messrs. Camden, Cunningham,
Custom, Hall, Of Wetzsl, Jacob;PricG,
Scott and Sherrard--S.
Mes.rs. Bishop and Grantham mol
voting.
The question then recurring on The
motion made by Mr.. Jacob on satur'
day last, 10 amend tue substitute for
the bill by striking out section Z,
which imposes q rate of taxation OIL
, Railroads, and the mode Of It's collec
lion, aud The distribution Of the tax
being under discussion, Mr.. Bennett
Chairman Of the Committee on Finance
arose and said:
Mr.. sidsnt.-Taxation has al
ways been regarded as burthensome
an1,by some people rs an evil; but iii
is burthcnsomO, It is burthen We
must bear, and like the "dows oil
Heaven" should fall equally. and
statesmen should address themselves tC
b"rtb:p, If HI. an sTil. va mus. 40.
cont in n comn,on sense vay Fo,
nn,h;nr /, mara cSr,oin Than dsa,b and
,,y",ien S,ns,ors understand All
ihis, and thOy arc expected to rise
,Mo,, ,Ls demand. necessary 10 carry or
,ho eivil adn,ipi,,rStion OF a Sovereign
S,o,e
Ths Senator rrom ,,hio mfr Jacob
,nnears 10 bo unwilling 10 INK Rail
rasSs At ali for h. move. 10 strik, ou,
liza whole section impo.ipp The rate
1rth,t i, lila object. / Trust / can an.
nrsoiate III. issue presented. and re-.
ir,s /. Tbs CONSTITUTION nrov;dt,
and declares that "all properly, Lol
real and per.onal shall In mred i'npro
portion 70 its ralae." This motion IN,
wolves an exemption Of Railroads, and
10 make up lis deficiency, a tax. mus,
be levied upon other subjects, whether
That includes a ,ux upon the poor Of
tich-tho labor or thu opulsnce Of I'll,
country. / repudiato all such IDEAS
pll such follies. The Constitution for
bids an exemption, and public policy
md Justice are a. war with the theory
advanced. The power Of tho I.egisla
turo over the subject Of taxation 10 the
form presented il denied by tho local
representatives. Of counties who hay,
secured all tho advantage, and ar,
unwilling TO yield to the claims o.
Justice aud equality. / msintain tha
The power Of taxation BY a sovereign
State Is unlimited, except in the fop
cases Of prohibition by State and Uni
ted States Constitutions.
This right is subjec. to no restrictions
except those l have named. With
these exceptions, tho discretion Of tbs
Legislature IL tho measure Of its au'
shortly. This authority reaches every
species Of property and possessions, ant
Is altogether unlimited a, to the man
ner Gifts imposition. The exaction.
for the support Of government. affect al
the inhabitants alike. If he DO rich
bis contributions arc heavy. and il hi
DO poor they are light; Jet all mus
contribute to the necessities of th'
State.
Chief Justice Marshall has said tina
"royorpm.nt cannot exist withou
taxation, and the power of the Lsgisla
turo 10 10. the people and their prop
,o.,, 10 essential IN the very oxisl eDcl