The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-01-15
WHEELING W VA THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY Il, 1874

propriate notifications, adjust those
laws to the requirements OF the new
Constitution.
For these reasons, you may deem it
unnecessary to alter in any very mate
rial particulars, the existing laws, at
your particular session.
But there are some legislative acts
which will, / believe, attract your i'm
mediate attention. These are the acts
by which taxes are imposed and appro-
priations made. Even II you were now
convened under ordinary circumstances,
YOU would, l believe, fell it to be your
duty to reduce existing taxes and sP.
preparations for it is evident to all
men that the increase OF taxes and pub
lie expenditures has for some years
past been much beyond the actual and
rational necessities OF the public Ger
vice.
But, gentlemen. you are not now con-
yencd under ordinary circumstances.
A few months ago, that uudefnsble
but tremendous power. called money
panic, impaired violent shock to the
whole industrial and property system
of the country.
The we'll considered plans and calcu.
lations of all men engaged In active
business, or 10 the exertion Of active
labor, were suddenly and thoroughly
deranged. In the universal business
anarchy that ensued, the minds OF men
became more or less bewildered, go that
few among them were able distinctly,
to see their way, or know what to do or
what to omit, even through the briet
tuturity OF a single week. All values
and all incomes were instantly and
deeply depressed. There WAS not lar
mer, q manufacturer, q merchant, o
mechanic, or q laborer, who did not
feel that be was less able to meet his
engagements, or pay his taxes, than he
had been before. The distressful effect
of this state OF things was felt by all,
but it was more previously felt by the
great body OF the laboring people, be-
cause it touched them at the vital point
Of subsistence. Many Of these men were
unable TO find that regular and remu-
nerative employment SO essential to
their wellbeing, whilst some OF them,
especially in the large towns and cities,
would have suffered for the want Of the
nutriment upon which the continuance
of life depends, bnt for that prompt hu.
mauity and charity 60 characteristic OF,
and 80 honorable 10 the whole Ameri,
can people.
1t is in the midst OF this condition o'
things that you are now convened and
it il msnitestly the duty OF the legisla-
ture oil the State TO afford the only re-
lief which it has the constitutional
power 10 afford, by the reduction OF the
public taxes, in proportion to the re.
! duced ability of the people to pay.
Yet this cannot be done without at
the same time reducing the expendl'
lures Of the State Government down to
the very last dollar compatible with the
maintenance of the public credit oil
the State, and the efficient working o
the State Government, under the ever
present sense OF necessary economy. ]
do not mean that vague and mere verbal
economy which public men are 80
ready to profess with regard to public
expenditures-I mean that earnest and
inexorable economy, which claims its
existence by accomplished facts. So
In the prodigality OF the past, you
will find abundant reason for frugality
in the future.
close these brief observations by re-
turning my thanks TO the people OF the
State, for that expression OF their good
will and pleasure which brings me be-
fore you.
l thank you, gentlemen of the Gener-
al Assembly, and our fellow citizens
here convened, for the respectful atten-
ton with which l have been heard
and thank my predecessor for the
courtesy and urbanity which he hal
extended towards me since nv arriva
10 the city; when for the first time
had the pleasure OF making his person
al acquaintance.