Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-02-16

manufacturers going to Ohio WhO bad start
ed their plants here. Bellaire almost under
the shadow Of Wheeling has been built up
by our people, and in It's vicinity there are
now in operation fifteen glass works, while
across the river in West Virginia there are
bat three. In 1870 Bellaire had popula-
ton of 1893, in 1880 it had increased to
S,025, 100 per cent. The population OF
Belmont county in 1870 was 1914. in 1880
1t was 49,62S. total increase in ten years
OF 9,0e0; while ia 1870 Wheehngs popula-
ton was $3.50. in 1880 it was 30.737. and
has IN the last few years decreased, If any
thing.
This increase on the Ohio side has been
brought about solely by the tax laws OF
Ohio which exempt the capital OF the
manufacturer
Pennsylvania manufacturers pay thirty
cents the 500 to the State, and many Of
them have the benefits of natural gas; in
Wheeling they pay, besides the thirty cent
State tax, a local tax of one dollar and
twenty cents on every Sl0O worth Of capital.
This burden on West Virginia manufactur-
ers viii become heavier and heavier in the
future and the competition between the
States Of Ohio and Pennsylvania and West
Virginia will drive capital out Of this State
if no relief is given.
Mr.. Caldwell cited instances of the
benefits Of exempting manufacturing CAPT
tai and the products Of agricultural indus
tries, mining, etc., in many States among
them Arkansas, Connecticut, Iowa, Mime
sofa, New York, North Carolina, Texas,
Vermont, Kentucky, Nevada and Colorado,
in all of which they foster their principle in
dustries by a discriminating exemption.
He also gave to the committee among other
interesting statistics, those of Bridgeport,
Steubenvllle, and Martins Ferry,
showing an almost incredible increase IN
population and prosperity as com
pared with Wheeling, Benwood, and Ohio
county generally. Mr.. CALDWELL mentioned
as instances of capital going out of this
State, the Jefferson and the Spaulding Iron
Works, in which are invested considerable
West Virginia capital.
Mr.. Caldwell wound up q strong and
forcible argument of an hours duration
with an appeal to the Legislature on behalf
of the manufacturers of West Virginia that
they be not taxed out of existence, and that
they be given relief merely as matter OF
State policy.
Mr.. HUBBARD's argument was longer
and. If anything, more convincing than his
predecessors. In his plea for the exemp-
ton from taxation of agricultural products
Mr.. HUBBARD made the statement that ninety
per cent of one farm crop goes to raise the
next crop; thus leaving but ten per
cent for the market; as the tax laws ofthis
State now stand the farmer is taxed twice
on the same products. The annual products
of the farms in this State amount to $l9,.
100000, against manufacturing products OF
S22, 100000 so the exemption OF the one
would about equal the other.
In showing the deteriorating effects OF a
Notwithstanding exemption from taxa
ton Mr.. HUBBARD stated that while twenty,
FIVE years ago Wheeling had seven nail
mills, she now has but six. In five mills
the total investment has been wi ped out and
there is now in Wheeling but one enterprise
that still keeps its original investors; within
sixty years twenty window.glass manutac-
| tories have been driven out or have failed;
| there have been three attempts to manutac-
ture wooden goods, all of which have been
| abandoned; six machine shops and six cot
ton mills have proven failures, besides many
| others, the data and conclusive proof OF
which Nj. HUBBARD could furnish.
Mr.. HUBBARD contrasted the state OF at
fairs in West Virginia, with other surround
States and showed our State to be com
parative wilderness With these States
that foster their industries West Virginia,
which does not foster hers, is brought into
competition, the result ofwhich competition
must be OBVIOUS.
On being asked by a Senator where the
taxes are to come from if manufactures
and agricultural products were exempted
Mr.. HCBBARD quickly responded: From
the spectators, many OF whom are non-resl
dents, who buy hundreds of thousands Of
acres of land which they do not use, nor cul
tivate, while labor is itching to build homes
and farms upon it.
Mr.. HUBBiRD stated that land was rarely
assessed at its real value, to determine
which the means were insufficient. Id
thought that these few hints would enable
the Legislature to make up the deficiency
in taxes made By these much needed ex
emptioHs.
Mr.. HUBBARD appeared to carry the com
mittee with him and he was granted per
mission to speak beyond his allotted tlm'
about one hour and halt.
Among those present were Messrs. GEo
W.WIsE, CHESTER d. HUBBARD, ALONZO LoR
ING, JosEPH BRADY, CHARLES ?. FRANZ
HEM and RUSSELL HUBBARD. All OF these
gentlemen are identified with Wheeling
manufacturing interests.