The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-30
SENATE SESSION.
A Day Devoted Largely 10 Routine Busi,,
ness-TaxatiOn.

A Day Devoted Largely 10 Routine Bust
ness-Taxation.
The Senate dispensed with the opening
prayer yesterday. Leave OF absence wat
granted Mr.. Dawson and Mr.. Smith, O.
Marion, for the day, and also to Mr.. Mel
vim.
Consideration OF Senate bill No. SO, "a
bill requiring the owners OF dams, locks
and dams, booms, piers and other obstruc'
tons to the navigation OF the Elk river, al
any point on said river from its mouth to
the mouth Of Big Sandy, to remove the
same and to provide for the institution Of
proper legal proceedings in the name OF
the State, by the Attorney General, TO
abate any such distractions" occupied
most OF the morning session, and after q
warm and general discussion, the bill was
recommitted to the Committee on Roads
and Internal Navigation.
The Senate refused to adopt the House
Joint Resolution providing for the Joint
Committee on Enrolled Bills.
Senate Bill No. 81, amending the law
concerning the limitations OF suits, 30 that
the period In which merchants accounts
may be sued for will be same as that for
any other liability, was passed; also No.
81, legalizing divorces heretofore granted
ing lawful fences.
Nlr. Van Meter offered the following:
WHEREAS, The Constitution Section l,
Article ~ provides that taxation shall be
equal and uniform throughout the State,
and all property, both real and personal,
shall be taxed in proportion to its value, to
be ascertained as directed by law; and
WHEREAS, Under the scheme OF assess
ment OF property for taxation now prac-
ticed in this State the agricultural interest
bears more than It's proper share OF the ex-
penses OF the Government; and
WHEREAS, Under the present assess.
ment vast amount OF personal property
now escapes taxation; and
WHEREAS, Although this State has
within the last ten years increased im-
Intensely in that character OF wealth which
is not owned by farmers; and
WHEREAS, There is deficit in the Treas.
ury which must be met either by advanc-
ing the rate OF taxation on those subjects
OF taxation which already bear more than
their Just share OF the burden, or else by
passing such laws as will reach that vast
quantity OF personal property which is not
reached under the present system; there
fore belt
Resolved, That the Committee on Finance
inquire into and report what legislative &C.
ton should be had to give effect to the
aforesaid provision OF our Constitution, and
report by bill or otherwise.
The resolution was adopted.
At the afternoon session Mr.. woodward
offered the following, which was 'adopted:
WHEREAS, 1t is charged that the Direc.
tors OF the Penitentiary are discriminating
in the letting Of convict labor in favor OF
the Webster wagon company to the detri-
ment OF other parties employing convict
labor, and to the injury Of the State, there.
fore be 1t
Resolved, That the Committee on.the PEN
litentiary be instructed TO inquire at once
and report whether there has been any
discrimination in favor OF the Webster
Wagon Company.
Mr.Byrne submitted Senate Joint Reso-
luton No. Is, which went over one day
under the rules. 1t recites that in 1875
charges OF malversation in Office were
preferred by the House Of Delegates Of the
State against John S. Burdette, then State
Treasurer, and he was tried byt he Senate,
found guilty Of a part OF the charges and
removed from his Office, and that this con-
yiction and removal were somewhat
chargeable TO sectional and partisan feel:
| ing, and that had his trial been post
poned, lie would probably have been &C.
Quilted. 1t is therefore resolved that SO
far as the Legislature has power in the
matter the said verdict is rescinded, and
the judgement OF impeachment vacated.