The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-10-04

adoptfon-
A new interest attaches to the
question of exemption in this
State, from the discovery Of the
fact that an exemption clause, sub
stantially the same as that now on
our Statute books, was introduced
in the Legislature of 1868; after it
was passed in the House of Dele
gates 1t was defeated in the Senate,
composed almost entirely of Re
publicans. Hon. Edwin Maxwell,
then a member of that body, voting
against it. See Senate Journal,
1868.
HIGH SALARIES
are complained of. The compen-
sation to State officers is just what
the Constitution allows, and no
more. Under Republican rule the
compensation was increased under
the fiction of an allowance for
"house rent. Extra pay, under
this guise, was given to the Repub-
lican State officers from 1866 to
1870, the allowances varying from
$500 to $3.50 to each officer-all
under Constitution forbidding any
extra compensation. The wrong
was the more glazing because few,
if any, of the Republican State off
GERS rented houses. The gentle
man who introduced this system Of
unlawful allowance was Hon. Ed
win Maxwell, the Republican can
didate for Governor. 1t was on
his motion that the first item of
this sort, $3.50 for the Governor,
under head of trent of executive
mansion, was Incorporated into
the Appropriation bill-see Senate
Journal Of 1865.
THE SCHOOL FUNDS
have not been unlawfully used as
charged. In accordance with law
and the Constitution, certain mon
eys belonging to the permanent
school fund have been invested in
our own State securities the money
thus borrowed by the State has en-
abled her to complete the new pub
lie buildings without an increase Of
taxation, and this great burden has
been distributed over a period of
years, instead of being allowed to
fall heavily and at once on the tax
payers of the State. When the
Republicans were in power they
used the school moneys indiscrimi-
nately, and without law, to meet
current expenses. A deficit of
500, 900 in the school funds remain
ing over from the last Republican
administration, was made good by
the Democracy without increase Of
taxation.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION
When the Republicans went out
of power their defaulting Sheriffs
owed the State $50, 900. See Au-
ditor's report 1870. In this no ac-
count is taken of the large sums
released by special legislation. 1t
is matter of history that it was
not unusual for Republican sheriff
or treasurer, behind in his accounts,
to have himself elected to the Leg
islature, and then secure the passage
of bill, practically forgiving the
debt, on account of the very super
ior quality of the loyalty Of the
debtor. Under Democratic rule
defaulting sheriffs are few and
special bills Of release are impossi-
Bile. Special legislation is now for
hidden by the Constitution. In
this connection the fact is recalled
that under Republican rule special
legislation became great abuse.
Valuable charters were voted away
to anybody and everybody, the
franchise of the West Virginia Cen
trail railroad passing under the con-
troll of a man named Ayres, who
was just out of the penitentiary,
and that of the Elk River road
into the hands of a man named
Wainwright, who has since gotten
into it.
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
have been attacked in turn. Their
affairs are open to public examina-
ton and criticism. The Asylum
management has been most vilely
abused. On thorough investiga-
ton it has been found humane,
competent, efficient and honest.
Contrast this with the management
under republican rule which made
the asylum nest of scandals; some
of them of q most painful character.
A systematic effort has been made
to break down the University.
Republican papers and politicians
have assailed it fiercely, consider
ing that its ruin would be worth
more to them as hobby than its
prosperity would be worth to the
State. An efficient and honorable
Board Of Regents are doing their
best to counteract unjust Republi-
can attacks, and Democratic ad-
ministration, under Mr.. Wilson,
will guard the University's interests
with watchful eye.
Under Republican rule the OPP
portunity was given to make the