Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-10

terS suffrage on ClllLcHS Ohlg' A''''''
a special article of sections is devoted to
the Chinese. The second OF these alb
solutely prohibits corporations formed
under the laws OF California
from employing Chinese. The third
section forbids the employ
ment OF Chinese on public works, ex-
cept in punishment OF crime. The
fourth section declares dangerous the
presence Of foreigners ineligible to citi-
zenship. The Constitution prohibits a
certain kind of man from becoming a
citizen, then exacts a poll tax OF him,
and finally stamps him Dangerous be-
cause he is ineligible to citizenship.
The Constitution aiterward declares that
the Legislature "shall also provide the
necessary legislation to prohibit the In
PRODUCTION into this State Of Chinese.
The Legislature is also to delegate all
needed power to municipalities to re-
move Chinese from their limits, or con-
fine them to designated quarters within
these limits.
As an exchange has said, the clauses
aimed at the Chinese seem to be framed
and hurled at them promiscuOusly, with
the idea that if some miss, others will
hit.
The two dozen sections designed to
correct the abuses Of corporations form
a highly important part OF the new
Constitution. In general, these provi-
sions follow those adopted for the same
purpose in several Mississippi Valley
States, and also partially in Pennsyl-
vania and elsewhere. 1t is provided
that corporations must be formed under
general laws, not special acts, and the
State never made a corporation
stakeholder; that trustees and
directors are liable for embezzled
money; that stock shall not be watered,
nor stock or bonds issued, save for
money or property received or labor
done; that business shall be conducted,
meetings held and accounts kept ouly
in certain specified ways.
Transportation companies are forbid
den to discriminate in their charges for
freight or passengers, but excursion and
Communication tickets may be issued at
special rates; in other respects, the
charges must be uniformly pro rata
for distance. The Railroad Commits
sioners are the only persons holding
offices Of trust or profit in the State to
whom free passes can be offered, and
besides the punishment of the company
issuing free passes, the acceptance
works forfeiture Of the takers office.
IIOther provisions under this head are
aimed at wheels within wheels and
rings within rings, forbidding officers or
employees of a company from being per-
sonally interested in furnishing it with
supplies, or being engaged in the bust
ness Of a common carrier. Ii a railroad
once puts down its rates for the sake Of
competition with another common car
rier, it cannot put them up again with
out the consent Of the Railroad Com
missioners-a provision designed to
| check the trick OF breaking down legiti-
mate competition by tremendous sacri-
fees, and then, when monopoly is Sc
cured, put up the rates higher than ever
I before. The Railroad Commissioners
are to have enormous authority, fixing
all rates for freight and paSsen-
gers, examining accounts, hearing and
/ deciding complaints, and having many
/ powers Of courts of record. A company
breaking or evading their regulations is
/ TO be fined at least 5000 An officer
OF employee who demands more money
I than the established rate is to be inn
I prisoned for time not exceeding year,
and fined sum not exceeding 5000,
I While this legislation, in some details,
| goes TO the extreme length of granger
ism, in general it is conceived in
wholesome spirit of protecting the peo-
/ pie against the grasp Of corporations,
ami the stockholders of corporations
against their own official thieves and de
poSitors.
For example, one excellent provision,
in this connection, is that the directors
or trustees of all associations are made
| jointly and seyeraIy liable to the stock
holders for all monies embezzled or
Incorporated by any officer of the as
I ISOLATION.
The revenue aud taxation system is a
| third subject in which vast and momen-
! touS changes have been made. In gen
eral il may be said that the purpose
and effect of the new provisions are
/ 10 make taxation bear more heavily
than ever on capital, presumably with
/ view to tightening the burden on labor.
| Church property Is swept bodily into
the taxable pool-all property is to be
/ taxed except growing crops, and city,
State, United States and school proper
I ~. Mortgages are taxed, with some
| details worth the examination
of those interested in California mort
cages. Railroad property is to be as
sessed by State board Of equalization,
and then apportioned to the counties
and towns through which the roadbed
passes. Income taxes may be collected
by laws hereafter to be made, from per-
! sons. cOrporaiions. Joint stock associa-