Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-09-12

while the NUMBER OF frame ScnOoi HOUSES
has increased from 1924 to 1870 to 2260
n 1892
When the Republicans went out of power
their defaulting sheriff owed the State
SI5O,O06. See Auditors report 1870. In
this no account is taken Of the large sums
released by special legislation. 1t is q mat
ter of history that it was not unusual for a
Republican sheriff or treasurer, behind
in his accounts, to have himself
elected to the Legislature, and then secure
the passage of bill, practically forgiving
the debt, on account OF the very superior
quality of the loyalty of the debtor. Under
Democratic rule defaulting sheriffs are few
ard special bills of release are impossible.
Special legislation is now forbidden by the
Constitution. In this connection the fact
is recalled that under Republican rule
spec al legislation became great abuse
Valuable charters we're voted away to any
body and everybody, the franchise OF the
West Virginia Central railroad passing un-
der the control Of man named Ayres, who
was Just out of the penitentisry, and that OF
he Elk River road into the hands of man
named Wainwright, who has since gotten
The Public Institutions.
have been ATTACKED in turn. Their affairs
are open to public examination and crtti-
cisn. The Asylum management has been
most vilely abused. On thorough invest-
cation it has been found humane, compe'
tent. efficient and honest. Contrast this
with the management under Republican
rule which made the asylum nest OF scan
dals; some of them of most painful chsrac-
tea. A systematic effort has been made to
break down the University. Republican
papers and politicians have assailed it
fercelv considering that its ruin would be
worth more to them as hobby than its
prosperity would be worth 10 the state An
effcient and honorable Board of Regents are
doing their best to eounteract unjust he
publican attacks, and Democratic admin
istration, under Mr. Wilson, will guard the
University's interests with watchtul eye:
Under Republican rule the opportunity
was given to make the West Virginia Univer-
sity Independent of State aid. By act OF
Congress-, land warrants to the amount Of
100000 acres, were gwen to that and to
each of similar institutions throughout the
country. Many of them located their war
rants; their lands are worth to-day from
$50 to $5Oper acre. The lands OF the West
Virginia University property located would
have been worth by this time S3,OOO,OOO
making that institution one OF the most
magpifcently endowed in the country. In
stead of that the warrants were parcelled
out among Republican ring for mere
pittance, over 100000 acres bringing but
ifty-two cents per acre. See Journal Con-
stitut:onal Convention, 1873, page los.
Conclusion.
In all points upon which the records of
the parties are compared, the same favor
able showing for the Democracy and of un
favorable showing appears for the RePub,,
licans. Some of the proofs OF our political
progress under Democratic rule. The
proofs of material progress are visible In
all the enterprises and developments Of
this great and growing State. 1t is
not believed that the people will
deliberately turn backward from the grand
career upon which the state was started in
1870 by the retirement of the Republicans
from power in West Virginia.
The school Levies and Their Disburse-
ments.
The public records, notably the reports
of the Auditor of the state from 1865 to
1876, both years inclusive, will show the fol
lowing startling facts:
See also Report of Superintendent Of
Free Schools, Hon. B. W. Byrne, of Janu-
airy l, 1877, page II and Is.
Under Republican Administrations.
Estimated available funds for
the first six years..............Sl,O 99, 1871
Total disbursements for the
first six years.................. 73O,25O,24
Difference between estimated
receipts and actual disburse.
ments for the first six years
the disbursements being less
than the estimated receip pts. 1868, oil OF
Under Democ ratio Administrations.
Estimated available funds for
the last six years.............. 81 ,336, Of5.9l
Total disbursements for the
last SIX years................... ,3hh,hiS.UV
Difference between estimated
receipts and actual disburse-
ments being in excess Of es- ----
tlmated recelpts......"...." S3O,632Oe
Average estimated annual re-
ceipts for the first six years. 1888, 1884
Average annual dlsburse
ments for the first six years. 1921, 7OS.37
Expenditures being less each ----
year than estimated receipts SCI, +S5.l1
Average estimated annual re-
ceipts for the last six years. 1922, 6743l
Average annual disbursements
the last years. 1927, 1886
Expenditures in excess Of esti- -----
mated receipts each year.. $5,lO5 3:
The expenditures for the last six YEAR
under Democratic rule being in excess o
the estimated annual receipts may be &C
counted for by collections made from
.sheriffs on old debts due for years prior t.
he time included in the estimate, and since
s76 the records will show that the Demo
ratio administrations have collected anC
'isbursed the school monies with the same
promptness as is shown above for the siA
ears prior TO 1916.
Pr'ned by order OF Democratic State Exec
utive Committee.
d. c. Gal LAGHER, D. 81. LEONARD,
Secretary. Chairman