Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1885-02-10
Senator MeIxin.s- Speech.

ny OSnaIOI 4AS1N4Las OAsssl0 ME-
Creery's bill to increase the tax fol
the support of free schools, delivered
before the Senate January 29th:
Mr.. President: This BILL which
proposes to increase or double the
State school tax, making it 20 cents
on the 500 worth of property, in
stead of 10 cents, as the law is at
present, is measure which deeply
affects my constituents, which / have
the honor in part to represent, and 1
feel that / should say something in
their behalf, though feeble the effort.
1t is measure which will fallheaviIy
upon them, and one which, / fear,
they will feel and believe too oppres-
sive to be bourne. We are afar off
at the eastern terminus of the State,
and there is now a feeling pervading
my county and district that the in
terest and sympathy of West Virginia
is inimical to ours, and that we are
looked upon and treated as hcwers
of wood, and drawers of water, and
if unfortunately for us this bill 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 vengeance, which
feeling Mr.. President, L depreciate
let us so act that there may be no
cause for such feeling, let US mani
fest by our actions that we have a re-
gard for the rights of others. In a
word adhere to that good old golden
rule, do unto others as ye would
have others do unto you; and 1 feel
sure Mr.. President under that test,
the proposition under consideration
must fall to the ground, never to rise
again. I confess Mr.. President that
1 am at total loss to comprehend
the fairness and justice of the mea-
sure, which my friends of the oppo-
site side of the question claim for it..
They claim, if understand them
right, that they are actuated by a
benevolent disposition, "a large
heartedness, broad and liberal views.
But my good friends when your broad
and liberal views want to encompass
and take my property to pay your
debts, I pray you have me and mine
excused from participating in your
liberality. It occurs to me, Mr..
President, that the liberality of such
course, is on line or parallel with
the highwayman, who meeting you
on the road, demands your pocket
book and because he is stronger and
has the power over you, you are COM
PEELED to yield to his demands. He
justifies his conduct with the argu-
ment that he is poor, while you have
plenty of this worlds goods, and it
is right and just that we should di-
vide. Broad and liberal views that
the rich must divide with the poor.
The passage of this bill, Mr.. Presi-
dent, would be dangerous prece-
dent. Alas, poor human nature is
very weak and selfish. If unfortu-
nately for us it shall be shown you
have the majority upon us and hence
the power to use US under the cover
of law to your advantage, would not
the same feeling which actuates you
now. promptyou at the next session
to add on another 10 cents on the 500
worth ofproperty, and whenever your
necessities seem to demand it, make
your levy, apply the lash, and whip
us in. Can we, Mr.. President-and
| submit it to this honorable body
live together in peace and harmony
under such system of oppression
and tyranny?
From another standpoint, Mr..
President, 1 think it is against the
public good, and the true welfare OF
the class they propose to help by
placing a man in position that he
knows and feels that his family is
being supported by the State, has it
not the tendency to make him feel
less man, to lower his dignity and
his self respect, and when you have
destroyed mans self respect, that
essential is gone which nerves man
onward in the battle of life to success
and distinction. Take the history of
communities, and individual families
where the children so often rely upon
the wealth and position of their pa
rents to carry them through life, in
stead of relying upon their own en-
ergy and industry, make utter fail
ures, waste their patrimony and sink
into oblivion unhonorcd and unknown.
How much better, Mr.. President, to
legislate, rendering equal justice unto
all and so that all shall be made to
feel and know that upon mis- own eff
fort and his own right arm, he must
rely for success and advancement
My people, Mr.. President, are an
agricultural people, a Iaboring, toll
ing people, earning their living by
the sweat of their brows. And if by
their industry and diligence in bust
ness, they have accumulated prop
erty, improved their homes and made
them more valuable, hence larger tax
payers is it right, is it just, to the
man, Because of his industry, his
economy, his close application to
business, he must be compelled to
divide his substance, his hard earn
ings, with his ncighbor in an adioin-
ing county, who it may be, from a
lack of industry or economy, has
failed to provide for himself and fam
lily? Would you not by such course
be offering premium upon idIeness,
while you destroy the incentive to
industry? I trust, Mr.. President, a
different course will be pursued, a
n