The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-01-27
money Wanted.


posrs an estimate OF the probable charges
on the West Virginia Treasury for the
fiscal years Of 1881 and 1882, by which 1t
appears that $3.50, 555 will be needed for
the former year, and 1904, ,49O for the latter
year. On the preceding page is table
estimating the probable receipts into the
treasury for the same two years, by which
it appears that sS55,5S0 is estimated for
1881, and SS43, $50 for 1882.
Thus it will be seen that q deficit Of
$4,O25 must occur this year on the basis OF
the estimates made by the Auditor.
In his table Of charges on the treasury
he estimates only $6,72O for "iuterest on
State bonds held by the board Of the
school fund.-" and furthermore he does
not estimate for any appropriation to the
building Of the Capitol at Charleston.
This brings US to speak Of the bill intro.
duced yesterday into the House oi Dele
gates by Mr.. EdmiSton, OF Lewis county,
providing for the appropriation Of $780,
900 to said Capitol building, $4,000 OF
which Is to be paid this year and $4,000
next year. ....r.
The point worthy Of note in the bill is
that 1t provides for another haul on the
school fund, just as the act Of February
90, 1870, making an appropriation for the
Hospital for the Insane, provided for get.
ting the money out Of the same fund. By
virtue Of that act $4,000 was diverted
from the fund, and the schools Of the State
deprived OF the interest 1t. And this 10
the shape in which more than $4,000
belonging to that fund stands to-day.
The Democratic party made capital dur
Ing the canvass out the fact that taxes
had not been raised for State purposes,
suppressing the fact, however, that valua-
tlons had been increased, This Is the In.
direct method OF raising taxes, II Ia easy
to keep down the nominal tax as long as
you can raise the valuation. ..t.
AslonG as man does not pay his debts
and can borrow money he can 80 along
swimmingly, AS long as q State can make
appropriation and borrow the money out
Of fund set apart for other purposes,
and pay neither principal nor interest, 1t
has no excuse for raising the taxes. This
is the manner in which the Democratic
party Is now running the State Of West
Virginia.
The party stands to-day face 10 face
with $l275OO due to the school fund, and
about $4,000 Of unpaid interest. without
estimating for any portion Of the principle
Of this debt, and for only So, ,72O Of interest,
the Auditor shows deficit in the esti.
mated revenues for this year OF over
$1,000. And YETI instead OF providing for
an increased State levy to meet not only
this deficit, but also the overdue interest
and portion Of the principal Of the debt
due the school fund, a member OF the
House gravely proposes to get away with
another 100000 Of the trust fund belong.
ing to the schools Of the State. This Is ap.
parently his idea Of hnesaing in the matter
Of finance. 4
We think that the present Democratic
Legislature will find that the party has
reached a point in the manipulation oi
the financial affairs Of this State where II
will be wise to call halt, As sure as
another canvass occurs in West Virginia,
just 80 sure will day Of judgment come
to that party If they persist in the course
now marked out by one Of their repre-.
sentatives on the floor Of the House.
The plain duty Of the party Is to in.
crease the State tax and meet the present
debt like men, and not skulk their re.
sponsibility.