The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-02-08

alton upon the people OF this State, who
are already burdened with taxation and
debt II Is not the design Of our State
Government 10 raise BY State levy the
entire school fund, but asufficient amount
TO assist In establishing an efficient free
school system for common school ednca-
tom Under the financial disasters
through which we are passing and the
circumstances with which we arc sur.
rounded We should act wisely and de.
liberately, and rise above the selfish and
sordld motives expressed in arguments
before this House. The largest taxpaying
counties inthisS tateare most In debt, with
mechanics and artisans outof employment.
Hence during our financial troubles they
have been most seriously affected.
We have been instructed to get rid OF
our County Courts on account OF their
cost and ineffiCiency. Now we are asked
to vote for q billthat will place an add.
tional burden Of over one.1uartor OF a
million dollars oil the taxpayers OF this
State. Thisalone can be the effect, as this
bill makes no provision for o reduction OF
district levy. The practical result Is to
lengthen the school terms and increase our
taxes; which the people have III no In.
stance within my knowledge, nor as stated
by any member on this floor, demanded.
do not like TO charge any member with
personal or political motives In relation to
this bill.
While II Is demanded OF us by the tax.
payers OF our State to reduce the taxes,
should this bill pass, with other large APP
preparations that are asked for, we are
bidding fairly 10 become ono Of the most
extrayagant Legislatures that has assemble
ed under our present Constitution. With
this state OF facts before Us how can we
expect the approval Of our constituents?
Therefore, with calm deliberation on the
part Of this House, hope this bill will be
indefinitely postponed.
'.n' Nh MorrErr
said he only desired to make q few 70.
marks ON tho proposition now pending,
and lie did II more particularly because he
felt q special interest In tho bill introduced
by the distinguished gentleman from bod
bridge county. That tho reason he felt
that special interest was TINT over seven
years ago in the Constitutional Conyen.
ton OF 1879 he had the honor to Introduce
this very measure, that the school tax
should DO q State levy, He supposed that
was the first time the proposition was ever
alluded 10 In this State. He knew he was
Of that time in a very decided minority
The question had never been discussed.
lie was free to say that the argument used
against Is then was purely self
isll one. In fact there was no
argument against It except gentlemen said
they would hare "a lay out more money
from counties than they would receive
back. This question above self, above
districts, q question above counties, 1t is a
question in which every man who feels an
interest in the welfare OF West Virginia
must feel sdeep and decided interest IN.
lle favored tho proposition then as now
for tho reasons that h0 believed that the
educational systom Of West Virginia 70.
CURED 1t. He represented a,county sparsely
populated, but in proportion to its popl.
lation, he represented, perhaps, one Of the
wealthiest counties Of this St@tp. He know
tho feeling OF his pOoplO on thai
question. His views were made known
10 them in the convention OF 1872
II there had been any decided
opposition to these views he was sure he
would not have the homer Al occupying 1
seat In this House to-day. lie was certain
It was the policy OF the State OF West Viz.
ginia To build up aschool system to educate
tho youth Of the State. II that be the car,
Aipal policy, it pan DO done by no other
principle than that OF the advalorum prin.
ciple Of taxation. He did not zee why
every dollar in the State should not beat
It's proportion Of taxes. 1t Is the policy Of
the State to provide an education for the
youth OF the State. He was concious that
our laws in minor affairs were RENTED "a
the counties and to tho districts, but the
educational system Of West Virginia was
no small affair. When the free school
system OF West Virginia was in.
augurated it was done under the
most unfavorable circumstances, at
tho time We were emerging from
. great revolution. lie knew there was
a prejudice against it at that time, and q
man wqS stalking his political reputation
at that time, when he supported and advo,
Gated tho free school system, but he was
glad ho saw his way clear then, and had
the moral courage to advocate it; and
now after eight or ten years he reioiced
that the shadowhad not only cleared away
but the people have become educat.
ID w % that standpoint 10 un.
dertook then. This system las a
hold on the hearts Of the people nothing
can take from them, In conclusion he
said he wanted TO see our free school sys,
tenn build up SO thoroughly and SO thor.
oughly meet the ends for which it was dc.
signed that there will never be any more
complaint in any Legislature. Lie wanted
to see the free school system. made the
browning glory Of West Virginia, wherein
all the young people OF the State, both
rich aud poor, shall receive the same ben.
Gifts. -.
Mn. HolF n.,
said that he had supposed the argument
and vote OF Yesterday would have heen