Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-31
sENAToR 11ELYTN,s srkscH.


!. SENATOR MELVINs sPEEoH.
Following are the remarks made BY
Senator Melvin on Senator McCreerys bill
to increase the tax for the support Of Tree
schools, delivered before the Senate last
Thursday afternoon
Mr.. PEEsInESr:-ThiS bill, which pro-
poses 10 increase or double the State school
tax, making it 20 cents on the 500 worth
Of property, instead Of 10 cents, as the law
is al present. IS a measure which deeply at.
fects my constituents, which 1 have the
honor in part to represent and feel that
should say something in their behalf, though
feeble the effort. II is measure which
will fall heavily upOn them, and one which,
fear they will feel and believe too OPP
pressive to be borne. We are afar OF at
the eastern terminus Of the State, aud there
is now feeling perysding nv county and
district that the interest and sympathy
Of West Virginia Is inimical to ours,
and that We are looked upon and treated
as hewers of wood, and drawers OF water,
and if unfortunately Tor Us this Dill
should pass. (which cannot believe, that
the wisdom, Justice and fairness, of this
body will permit) would not the belief or
impression, now prevailing, be verified, with
a vengeance, which feeling Mr.. President
deprieate; let Us so act that there may De
no cause for such feeling. let Us manifest by
our actions that we have a regard for the
rights of Others. In word adhere to that
good old golden rule, 10 unto others as ye
would have others do unto you; and l feel
sure NJ. President under that test, the
proposition under consideration must
tall to the ground never to rise again.
/ confess Mr. President that am at total
loss to comprehend the fairness and justice
of the measure, which my friends of the
opposite side of the question claim for It.
They claim, if understand them right
that they are aetuated b. benevolent dis
position, large hesrtedness, broad and
liberal views. But my good friends when
your broad and liberal views want to en-
compass aud take my property to pay your
debts pray you have me and mine ex-
eused from participating in your fbersGty.
II occurs to me, Mr.. President, that the lib
erahiy Of such course, is on a line or
aparallel with the highwsyman, who meeting
and because be is stronger and has the
power over you, YOU are compelled to yield
TO his demands. lie justi6es his conduct
with the argument that he is poor, while you
have plenty of this worlds goods, and 1t is
right and Just that we should divide. Broad
ard liberal views that the rich must divide
with the poor. The passage Of this bill,
Mr.. President would be q dangerous pre-
cedeut. Alas, poor human nature il very
weak and selfish. II unfortunately Tor Us
it shall be shown YOU have the majority
upon US and hence the power to use US
under the cover ola to your advantage,
would not the same feeling which actuates
you now, prompt you at the next session
TO add on another 10 cents on the 800 worth
of property, and whenever your necessities
seem TO demand Il, make your levy, apply
the lash, and whip us in. Can we, Mr..
President-snd ! submit it to this honor
able bOdy-iye together in peace and har-
mony under such system OF oppression
end tyranny
From another standpoint, Mr.. President
think it is against the public good, and
the true welfare Of the G ass they propose to
help BY placing q man in position that he
knows and feels that his family is being
supported BY the State, has it moi the
tendency to make him teel less q man.
to lower his dignity and his self respect
and when you have DESTROYED mans self
respect. that essential is gone which nerves
a man onward in the battle of life to sue
cess and distinction. Take the history OF
communities, and individual families, where
the children so often rely upon the wealth
and position Of their parents to carry them
through life, instead Of relying upon their
own energy and industry make utter fail
ures, waste their patrimony and sink into
oblivion unhonorSd and unknown. How
much better, Mr.. President, to Iegislate,
rendering equal justice unto all, aud so that
all shall be made TO feel and know
that upon his own effort and his
own right arm, he must rely for
success and advancement Ny people. Mr..
President, are an agricultural people, q
laboring, toihng people, earning their living
by the sweat Of their brows. And If by
their industry and diligence in business.
they have accumulated property, improved
their homes and made them more valuable,
hence larger tax payers, is it right, is it Just,
to the man, beca use Of his industry, his
economy, his close application to business,
he must be compelled to divide his substance,
his hard earnings, with his neighbor in an
adjoining county, who it may be, from a
lack Of industry or economy, has Jailed to
provide Gor himself and family? Would you
not by such a course be offering premium
upon idleness, while YOU destroy the
incentive to industry? | trust, Mr.. Presi-
dent, different course will be pursued, q
different spirit prevail, and that our young
and growing State may not De cIogged in
her onward course TO prosperity, by bicker'
iDgs, dissentions and discords which the
passage Of this bill would engender.
WHEN the lips are dry and SCARED,