Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-13

dition as to its industries, and Is rapidly
increasing in population. In 1870 the
population was 442, 900; in 1880, 1t was
5000, showing an increase of $4,000
In ten years, or 40 per cent. This in
crease is greater than any State East,
and more than majority Of the States
Of the Union. 1t Is fair to presume that
the increase in wealth and business Is
keeping pace with the increase Of popu-
lation. In proportion to its srea, it Is
the richest State in the Union in coal,
iron ore and timber.
He points out the difference in the
MANAGEMENT of the State finances by
the two parties at the different times
they were in power, and shows by
figures that under Democratic rule the
expenditures for State purposes have
been decreased and for schools increased,
and the rate of taxation has remained
the same. While the taxes for school
purposes have been reduced about 80
per cent, there has been large increase
in the value of school property, number
of teachers, of pupils, of months taught,
as also in the salaries Of teachers and
amount of money expended generally
for school purposes. 1t will also be seen
that the irreducible School Fund has
increased over so per cent. from 1870 to
1880. In the matter of school admins
tration, it is conceded that West Vir-
ginia can challenge comparison with
any State in the Union.
Another advantage our State has, says
the Senator, is that while We hear MUIR
nuns of complaint from other States,
especially South and East, about the
heavy burdens of taxation, the taxes Of
our State are comparatively light; less
than those of the majority of States,
and less than half as much as some Of
the Others. While fully two-thirds of
the States have larger rates than ours,
and some of them double and thribble
as much, our State tax is but thirty
cents on the hundred dollars, ten cents
of which is devoted to the use Of free
schools, leaving but twenty cents for
general purposes. Of course, there are
some people, and suppose some DEM
Gratis, who complain even of this low
rate, but in the majority of instances,
in this as in other matters, yOa will find
those that grumble most are those who
have the least cause.
The Senator deals with many other
important and living questions, but our
limited space forbids further notice of
them. In concluding his speech he
says:
Political parties cannot live alone
upon the glory Of their past record and
achievements, nor can they cling to the
dead issues of the past. They should
deal with the active, living present and
all the questions growing out oft.
Party platforms are the expression
of the opinions of political parties at the
time-but the times change and We
change with them. A platform or set
of resolutions that might have been
applicable in 1872 or 1860, for instance,
may have no relation to the issues of the
present, with which we have to grapple.
Let Us deal with things and issues as We
now find them, and so treat and dispose
of them that peace, honesty, liberty and
prosperity may be promoted and as
sured.
NECESSITY OF ORGANIZATION.
Considering the strength of our oppO-
nents, their control of power, patronage
and money, all of which after twenty
years of experience they concentrate
and use when necessity requires, it be-
comes the Democratic party to be active
and vigilant. Organization in political
matters is rs essential to success, as it Is
In war or business. The right, with or
will prevail.
And now il is for you to decide. You
are to choose between the two political
parties, and decide which course you
will pursue. One leads to economy, re-
form, reduction of taxation, an honest
of affairs, and q
happy realization of what our foreEath-
ers intended-a purely Democratic
form of government; the other leads to
extravaganza, legislation which hes Il
to Capitalization and to en-
courage mOnopolieS, Credit MObilier,
Star Route frauds, burdensOme taxa
ton, political dishonesty and corrup-
ton.