Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-02-05

sEYlroR uELrIN.s sPEEcH.

SEV8TOR MELTIN'S SPEECH.
Following are the remarks made BY sem
ator Mel En- on Senator McCreeys bin to
increase tle Ax for The support Of free
schools, delivered before the Senate Last
Thursday afternoon:
Sir. pRE,luEnr This bill, which pro-
poses 60 increase or double the State school
taX. messing IL 30 cents on the 500 worth OF
property. instead of 10 cents, as the law Is
at pre- eul is p measure which deeply affects
my cou.UfI IS. which have the honor i'm
part % r. .cnt, and / feel that ! should
sav something in their behalf, though feeble
the effort Il Is @ measure which will fall
heavily upon them, and one which, fear
they viii itei and believe too oppressive to
be borne We are afar Oft at the eastern
tcrmuu, ol tle State, and there Is now a
feeling perraiing my county and district
that o., uicr,s. and sympa' Ey OF West IT.
eina +. inim'ai 10 ours, and that we are
look q upou aud treated as heWers OF wood
and drawers of water, and If unfortunately
for us this bill should pass. which | cannot
believe that the wisdom, justice and ialr-
ue of This body will permit would not the
belief or impression, now prevailing be yer-
flied with vengeance. which feeling Mr.
President. ] depreca;e; let us so act that
there may be no cau-e for such feeling, let
as manifest by our actions that we have a
regard for the right, of Others In word
adhere 90 that good old golden rule, do
unto others as yewould have others DO unto
vou." and fee sure Mr.. President under
that test. the proposition under considcra-
ton must iaii 10 the ground, never to rise
arain. 7 confess Mr.. President tina ! am
10 % total loss 20 comprehend the fairness
and Justice of the measure which my friends
of the opposite ,ideo. the question claim
for 1t. They claim. / understand them
right, that they are actuatcd by a beneyo-
lent disposition, a large hcartedne,s, broad
and libeublc views. But my good friends
when your broad and liberal views want 10
encompass ard take MY property TO pay
Your debts, pray You have me and NINE
excused from participating yoUrhbcraiity.
+ To occurs t0 me. ir. President. that the ilb-
erlitv 0 such % course is on line or on a
parallel with the Aighwayman, who meeting
v0u ON the road. demands pOcket-book
and because hc Is stronger and has the pow
err over YOU YOU are compelled 90 yield
to his demands, lie iustihes his conduct
with the argument that be j, poor, while
.,.,, bs,a. rlsrtv of .bis worlds Goods. and
/ r. f. rio5f and inst that we should divide.
G,,,d and liberal views that the rich must
+ divide with the poor. The passage of this
+ biu 3ir Pre.iden, would be Il dangerous
+ pr,.sJ.ut Alas moor human naturei Is very
/ ,,aal and .elfsh n unfortunately for us it
4 shall bs shown YOU have the majority upon
d.. qrd tonce tbe mower Co use MS under the
| .,,-,- ~ law IN v5u, ADVANTAGE would not
/ ,h. same FEELING which actuates Won now.
pr.uir. Won at The next session tJadd on
+ mother i0 cents ON The 500 Worth e prop
e-,y and whenever your pccossitic. seem To
/ demand +. maLcvour lew. apply the lash
and vhiDn I'm Cam we Mr.. President
and .uhmit IL 20 this honorable 3ody-liye
/ tar..h.. in p,sc, all harmony under such
system Of oppression and tyranny
From another stmin0iut. Mr. President,
/ thinkit IS against the public good. and
I the true welfare OF the class they propose TO
7 n..p bv placing q man in position That lac
/ know. and feel, tbat hi, family /. being sup
porte. bv the state has 70 not the tendency
to- make him fee. .ss man. to lower his
di-nin- and his SELF respect and when YOU
have destroveda mans self respect. that cs-
seufial is zone which nerves man onward
/ I'm the battle OF life to success and distinc-
/ don. Take the history of commu tiles, and
, individual families. where the children so
often RELY uDop the wealth and position of
rl,oir rorerf. torarrv them through life. in
stead of r,lviro mon tbeir own energy and
in}usfr- make inter failures. waste their