Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-09-03

o.
lncrease-l36 per cent? SOL 10 10
Average district levy on 500 valuation Of
property
For Building Fund, G7
For Building Fund.- ls 80
Decrease in taxes (SS per cent. 50 81
Expended for each pupil
For tuition, based on enumeration, lS0-Sl ~
For tuition, based on enumeration, 1851. ~
Irreducible school fund
October list, W
October LIST, 4ZS,9Ss 80
Increase lover so per cent? ,6Ss s.
From the above figures it will be noticed
that while 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 in
creased over SO per cent. from 1870 to 1880.
In the matter of school administration, it
is conceded that West Virginia can chal-
Union.
Since 1870 there have been large amounts
expended on the State Institutions, and
they have all been greatly improved in size
and condition.
The expenditures for their support is less
per capita than in 1870 and / venture to
say that the public institutions OF no State
in the Union are better managed, or afford
better facilities for their purposes, than do
those of West Virginia.
state Taxation.
Another advantage our State has is that
while we hear murmurs 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 thrible as much, our
State tax is but 80 cents on the hundred dol
lars, 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 7 suppose some Demo-
Gratis, who complain even OF this low rate,
but in the majority OF instances, in this as
in other matters, you will find those that
grumble most are those who have the least
cause.
Debt Question.
A great many slurs have been attempted
to be cast upon our State by the rcpudiators
of Virginia, under the lead OF the Read
busters, relative to the State debt OF Vir-
ginia, and the portion OF it they think, or
say, our State ought to assume. While we
can afford 10 pass by slurs coming from
this source without notice, we cannot al
ford to ignore the proper sentiment OF the
country upon the question OF payment OF
State debts. As l have said on previous
occasions, l now repeat, l am unqualihediy
III favor of paying our just and equitable
proportion of the debt Of Virginia, prior to
1868, whenever that proportion shan be
properly or legally determined. 1t is not
fair, either, to charge West Virginia with
disposition TO shirk any responsibility in
the natter; she has always expressed her
self in her Legislature, and in other public
ways, as willing to meet Virginia halfway
in the settlement Of the question.
When West Virginia was admitted into
the Union, her Constitution expressly pro-
vided for the payment of
Just and Equitable Proportion
Of this debt, and it was conce ded at the
time of her admission, that the bill would
never have passed Congress but for this
provision. 1t is not the fault OF West Viz
ginia that her efforts in the direction OF
lust and equitable settlement Of this matter
have, so far, resulted in failure. We an
nounce to the world our willingness to do
what is proper and right, and defy any one
to say, truthfully, that the faint of repudia-
ton rests upon US. i neither own. nor have
| any interest in any bonds OF Virginia, or
what is called West Virginia, or deferred
~ har ig dStar-
mined, will have to bear my share OF the
burden of taxation, but | hope this ques-
ton may be met fairly and squarely by our
people. 1t is now generally conceded that
West Virginia. upon fair settlement, will
owe but little. il anything, OF this debt. aud
vet il is an unsettled account that ought 70
be adjusted, and want it so adjusted that
we need never hang our heads in shame,
when our financial record as State is men
toned.
The cry of monopoly" in our State hiss
been calculated to prejudice the people
against railroads. While do not approve
OF all that railroad corporations
do, vet i believe railroads. are
necessary to the proper develop
ment of the State, and am their friend IN
their efiOts to open up an outlet for our
great mineral RESOURCES and Agricultural
productions. We are living in AN sge OF
fapid development the world Is pushing
on, and II We do not keep moving. With II
we will be left behind. We mast bear in
mind that we are living in the year 1872,
and that the age Of transportation by veg
ons ant stage coaches hiss passed away.
West Virginia Is showing higns OF progres,
| in the bringing to light Of her vast bnrled
treasures OF minerals, and in few years
the Increase Of her population, and conse-
auent wealth and prosperity, viii SHOW
| the wisdom OF the encouragement she gives
10 capital and enterprise.
The iron ore and coal, without means OF
transportation, are comparatively value
| less. but with o railroad they become vsiua-
be. The enierprising men who are taking
| tie advance in building nraiiroads ana de'
yeIoping the State are TO be commended.
| Whist would West Virginia have been TO-
| day hut for the few railroads she now has,
| especially the B. & o. and c. * o. Railroad
| and their branches?
/ do not want 70 be understood - favor
ing
| onerous ExaetIes. or Usjust DiserfD'
1satfoas
| on the part Of railroad companies, bnt
am in favor of fair rates being established
| Competition Is one Of the best means Il
bring this about.
A county CT town without railroad il be
| hind the age OF course. there are discrim
Il Il - 0k. AZ