Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-17
ygE eorERNoR's MESSAGE.

IN YESTERDAY . SN'HShSAh@i HhiiS ucaAlng Win
much that was known touches some new
subjects Of more than passing interest
Indeed, they seem to be of vital import
ance, especially the recommendation regard
ing State banks Doing business with the
public, handling its money, and to large
extent controlling its financial affairs, they
should in justice to their chentage be COM
PEELED to make at suitable intervals, sworn
statements of their condition. This state
ment should embrace their subscribed and
paid up stock; liabilities in all shapes, dis
tinctly enumerating certain classes of iabil-
tiles such as mortgages and sums due other
banks. The amount Of deposits and loans
should be made known, and to secure more
reliable returns and expedite settlements in
case Of failure or suspension State bank
examiner would be q valuable officer. The
eoeducation Of the sexes at the State Uni
Versity is urged and with great fitness.
CO-educatonis isa solvedproblem and there
can be no objection to this new departure
either IN theory or fact. All that is needed
at MorgantoWn TO insugurate this desirable
feature is suitable dsrmitory separate and
removed from that now occupied by the
male students, for the reception Of the
ladies.
The Governor has seen ft to endorse
the sentiment Of recent editorial IN the
REGISTER urging the imperative necessity
for State reformatory. 1t is an outrage
upon virtue q disgrace to human
ity that boys of fourteen and IF
teen are herded with the common
prisoners in the penitentiary. The Legis-
lature is reereant to the interests of the
State and unmindful of the demands Of
humanity Of it negleets to move in this mat,
ter. Wheeling stands ready to do the
generous thing for the State in this direc-
ton so soon as opportunity offers.
1t lis to be regretted that the paragraphs de-
voted to the Tax Commission do not 60 be-
yond mere clerical reference to the work &C
compished by that board. 1t is likewise to be
regretted that so many reports have eman-
ated from that body, as their number de-
stroyed that unAnimity of opinion which is
necessary to value, and leaves the impress
sion on the public mind that the question
of equal taxation is yet far from desirable
solution.
The financial policy of the Governor has
been as extraordinary as it has been sue
cessful. 1t is this policy that has been most
conspicuous in his administration. He
| found, on taking the oath of office, the
| finances of the State in an embarrassed
condition. His predecessor had paid out
| on previous Indebtedness over S3l 900 ot
| the revenues raised for the first year oil
| Governor Jackson's administration. Not
withstsnding this deficiency he was met by the
! extra session of the Legislature Jt 1887, which
cost the State over $50, 900, aud by the eX'
traordinary amounts paid for the construc
ton of the State capitol of over Sl5O,OOO'
He had then to pay over $500, 900 OF extra
ordinary appropriations with his Legitimate
\ revenues decreased over S3l, 900.
The situation was serious one. The
expenses of the State were increased with
rapidity euusled only BY her increase IN
population. All outward appearances
indicated the rapid growth Of per
msnent wealth, but by strange
/ contradiction, while the census reports show
| ed the State wealth to have about doubled
in the seven years preceding his Inaugural
| ton. the Assessors books showed that the
wealth of the State had decreased over $40,
| 100000. A rapid decrease in assessed
values during period in which our active
wealth was rapidly increasing, indicated
rottenness in the tax system which threat
| ed the State with the most alarming eonse-
uuences, and which, demanded rigid sys-
| tenn Of reform.
To accomplish this, the Executive at once
directed his attention, and the REGISTER Is
Glad 10 saw the results are such that they
/ cannot but crafty the citizens OF the State,
By rigid economy the extraordinary ex
nepSes incurred have been met, and the as
sessed values instead Of showing o decrease
in the wealth of the State as formerly have
been made TO show an increase OF over
S8 100000. The reform has been brought
about BY an active and Conscientious en-
Iorcement of the Constitution, which has
compelled the strict observance OF tunda
nenfal law, which has prevented
;IlegaI exemptions, and which ha;
compelled the return of property that had
L
escaped by evasion.
FTom the beneficial results already at
tained through the enforcement OF the con
st;tution il is not declaring too much, tGa,
by the time the next Legislature meets the
as.ting debt of the State will be pald' pro
y;dfnz there be no extraordinary aPproPrls
| tions. -, c.,
This has been accomplished in the tsce
of bitter opposition which prevented tnf ~
strict enforcement Of the law by al
he assessors. With its proper anc
str;ct enforcement, which did not maintaiT
in several counties the past year, there wa wa
he q surplus revenue over current expenses
onS AZ 81 sequence, lower rate OF taxatior
nav be expected. This pleasant condition
IS STATE finances then, is the outcome OF
constitutional Executive who respects the 10
stTnmept which uaderies sA our laws, Wnici
= IN fact the law of laws, and has the sane
~ maintain It's mandates pure and simple
Taken as q whole the message IS
hrs;ness-Hke and unusually readable docu
ment one among the best ever gTven 70 ou
DSonIe C The Governor style Is e'ear ana IN
PeEPI he points well pot Both tn