Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-06-05
DECLINED Win THANKS.
Hon. ]. s. Miller Rstirss from
the Race
FOR susERAAToR,AL HoHoas.
Mr. Miller Refers to the "Rea,sessmsnt'
Order at Some Length, Gisiag Brief
History Of That Measure, and
Is Not a Candidate.
WHEELING. juno 5, 1884.

WHEELING. juno ), 1884.
To the People ef West TIyinid:
Having determined that my name shall
not be presented to the convention which
viii assemble in this city on the I'D Of next
month, as candidate Cor the Office Of Gov
ernor, deem il proper that the reasons for
my withdrawal be made public.
Daring the several years | have held the
Office which now hold Chat Of Auditory. Il
is well known there has been constaas
struggle 20 mee the appropriations hat
have from time TO time been made. the do
mands upon the treasury BY reason Of tho
construction Of public baildings and other
! extraordinary items Of expenditure having
been in excess of estimated receipts Il d
not, therefore, surprising that should have
given some support ut least to every proper
measure which had for is object an increase
Of the ceipts a, the treasury.
The first measure suggested was the re-
assessment Of real estate. This was re-
gnrded as necessary, on account If the
great increase in the value Of real estate in
some localities. which was assessed At
very low valuation, thus not bearing its just
proportion Of the burdens Of taxation.
The Legislature by the act providing for
the rc-asscSsment imposed upon the Board
of Public Works, (Which is composed OF
the several executive officers of the S,air.)
the duty Of revising, correcting and cqualiE.
ing the re-asscssmcn, made BY the commits
siovers in the several counties Thi. bourd
met at Charleston, and by q unanimous
vote decided upon many material changes
and greatly increased the valuation Of real
estate in several Of the counties.
A, subsequent meeting held in Wheel
ing this action was rcconsidercd and the
question as to what changes should he made
again being presented, my vote was recorded
with the majority of the members, except Rs
TO Pocahontas county.
Although performed 'he duty imposed
upon me by the Legislature to the bca o!
my skill and Judgment, il WAS soon charged
by those who were opposed To nv candidacy
for the office Of Governor, ihst had been
instrumental in imposing undue burdens
upon the farmers of the State; and de-
tcrmined, and may say 10 n certain cS.
tent, a successful effort Was made 20 create
the impression that was much more i'm
portant character in the rr-sssnient than ]
really was. This is cspecislly true as to
Ohio and Marshall counties, although the
records of the board show tlrat il wns on my
motion that the valuation in each II these
counties was reduced.
Following closely upon the rrassc-smcu,
of real estate came the assessment order OF
| February lSs3. familiarly known nv the
supplement assessment order. by which
| the assessors were instructed to lis, for tax
alton all property not authorized by the
constitution 10 be exempted This order
was based on decision rendered by the
Supreme Court Of Appeals upon the ques-
ton Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. Z.
Company to claim immnnity from taxation
under provision in its charter. As Was
the case in the matter Of the reasse~rss-
mcnt Of real estate my connection with this
order has been made the subject Of cons,d.
erable comment, and have been frequently
characterized ns Q guilty participant In IN
act Of usurpation. will not attempt 10
apologize for my connection with this order
and must admit that ! yielded . wiling
compliance with the request OF the Governor
when be asked tha, should give instruc.
tons TO the assessors, for there should BE-
no good reason why should make IN issue
with the Chief Executive in q matter upoa
which NV views were la perfect accord With
his own.
beli.yc then. n believe nov. that the
instructions were in accordance With the
.nw ~ laid down by the Supreme Court,
md that an enforcement II the lsw would
nr",a,e io the advantage Of the great mas
nf tax prycrr, who have never enjoyed the
benefits of any exemption snd who have
bere;oiOre been forced to pay IN undse
.iare Of the taxes by reason " the large
exemption. granted 10 certain cIasses Of
individuals aud corporstions by The oct Of
she Legislature. IL is. ! know, contended
that the majority Of the Dent cratic party
IN this State condemn this order While
do not believe this to be the case. never
theless recognize the fact that there n 'an
honest difference Of opinion" 10 regard 10
IL. and ~ fny oxn conscicncc approves my
action in the premises. would BE- fsLse 70
myself were to accept Dominstion. even
if Il were offered to me, without being fully
convinced tha, I am in srconi With The
majority Of my party on this important
question.
IT, as charged ~ some OF The opponents
OF the measure, ! haze participated in IN
act of usurpation. have no right 30 ssk
or expee, political support from sny scercs.
n on the other hand my position b. heh
10 he correct. shall have ample saiisfsc-
ton in knowing tia, nv efforts " carry out
the Law. a. ] nndersiocd Il, have accom-
plished something for the good Of the
people by inaugurating q system of isss-
ion as our constitution eontsmplatss ue
shall have II has been suggested that tbese
differences of opinion were not d-seloPed
until sfier my candidacy became eensrsIy
known. Ifthai BE- the esse, !, must b sp
tarept that my sithdna~sI may BE- tSe
means Of healing these differences; and -
/ regard the success ~ the party ~ of mscb
uore importance than the Bominstioa u
sny individual. Il requires but little sacrifice
on ny part 10 announce that sm 10 Ioeg-
81 candidate.
As have already Commenced psoceed-
ings, which are intended 10 settle al qpeS
tons which have arisen upon the -sspHis-
men,afseesment order, and - decision
u these ma,isrs mas, Determine whether o.
not fny action has been sceordance vith
the law. am unwilling 20 oeeupJ tie posi-
ton of plaintiff in fhese procsediDg,. ssd at
the ssme time ask the political support Ola
tedle who. il n charged, have been sreag.
I'd by my aess. dexirs 70 sxPsss ny
xsrme.t thanks 10 tho-e friends sto have -
generosity given me fhcis support.
yery respectfully
Jos. 8. ninKR.