Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-01-30

ss we'll ss Republicans who we're on record
as favoring exemptions, voted In the
negative, 50 il cannot be said With pro-
priety that this wss Q test vote. While
Governor Price. Major Fitzhugh and Gov
ernor Mathews favored toe ad valorem sys.
tam of taxation. gentlemen Of no less dis
tinction, such IS Judge johnson, Judge
Jack son. and Mr.. Trayers, favored ex.
emptions, and when Mr.. Hsgan's amend.
evitable that the convention determined to
get rid of the vexed question by COM
promise, rememb boring that the convention
bad been called principally for the purpose
OF making final and effectual provision
sgainst the enactment Of test oaths and
registration laws Ths system of taxation
allowing certain exemptions having given
satisfaction TO the people, no Democrat was
willing to admit that there was any neces-
sity for embracing new subjects of taxation
for the purpose Of raising additional rev.
enue.
"a Young Fogy's' statement that be is
mot much OF farmer" induces the be-
lief thst he is one to some extest-hence
the feeling aud caustic manner in which he
characterizes the conduct of our State 9th.
GERS. Small farmers are more seriously al
I. cted by the additional taxation than larger
ONES, because the wealthy being able to enjoy
ly better prepared to meet this unjust de-
mand. know it has been argued by some,
who have no sympathy in common with
farmers, and who believe that the average
former does not understand what Is to his
interest, that this assessment order will In
ure 10 his benefit Now there Is nothing
he understands better than that upon the
agricultural interest OF the State falls the
chief burden of taxation. The manufac-
iurer was poupced upon last year by snap
Judgment, but dare say he will this year
be better prepared for the assessor, MnlIe
there is no escape for the farmer whose
little colts, calves, pigs and chickens"
have been so lightly, and, / may say, face
tiously referred to. The farmer under
stands also, that the nations wealth and
particularly that OF West Virginia, depends
upon the soil, and that all taxes arbitrarily
and improperly assessed cripple to that ef'
tent the welfare of the agriculturist. To
remonstrate against this great wrong Is the
only way to stave off what is sought to be
established as a precedent for hereafter
continuing this double and tribble taxa.
ton upon the farmers. The Changers OF
Berkeley have been heard from and now is
the oppOrtune moment for that organiza-
ton to speak out generally.
In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, 1 would ike
to ask you question. You gentiemen OF
the press meet in editorial associations and
there doubtless compare notes as to public
sentiment upon all questions of pubic
policy in your respective localities. Now
how is ii that the newspapers OF the State
have preserved such remarkable silence
with regard to the dissatisfaction that ex-
lists all over the State with this assessment
order? Some of the little county papers,
am sorry 10 see, are engaged in the idle
task of publishing very elaborate commu.
pications in vindicstion of this order, as il
the interests of the D-mocratic party de-
manded of them any such thing. The idea
that this question can he made an issue in
the next canvass is ludicrously absurd.
Some of these papers are also engaged in
the stupendous folly Of trying to reconcile
farmers by seeking to produce preju
in their minds sgainst railroads when the
people of the State are eXerting their ut
most powers to have railroads built.
The REGIsTER deserves special praise for
its temerity in not having denied its col
umps to "A Farmer" and "a Young
FCry" with an old head.
ANOTHER FARMER.