Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-02-06

following speech on the Dill 10 increase
the tax for the support Of free schools
from ten to twenty cents on the hun
bred dollars. The bill was laid on the
table, which kills it for this session.
Mr.. President-This bill, which pro-
poses to increase or double the State
school tax, making it 20 cents on the
800 worth of property, Instead OF III
cents, as the law Is at present, is
measure which deeply effects my con-
stituents, which I have the honor in
part to represent, and l feel that |
should say something in their behalf,
though feeble the effort. Ii is IA meas
ure which will fall heavily upon them,
and one which, | fear, they Will feel
and believe too oppressive TO be borne.
We are afar of at the eastern terminus
of the State, and there is now feeling
pervading my county and district that
the interest and sympathy of West Vir-
ginia is inlmical to ours, and that we
are looked upon and treated as hewers
Of wool, and drawers of water, and II
unfortunately for us this bill should
pass, (Which | cannot believe that the
wisdom, Justice and fairness, Of this
body will permiU would not the belief
or impression now prevailing be ver-
flied, with vengeance, which feeling,
Mr.. President, | deprecate; let us so act
that there may be no cause for such
feeling, let us manifest by our actions
that we have regard for the rights OF
others. In word, adhere to that good
old golden rule, do unto others as We
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. l confess, Mr.. President, that l
am at total loss to comprehend the
fairness and justice of the measure,
which my friends on the opposite side
of the question claim for it. They
claim, IL I understand them right, that
they are actuated by benevolent dispo-
sition, a large heartedness, broad and
liberal views. But, my good friends,
when your broad and liberal views
want to encompass and take my prop
erty to pay your debts, pray you have
me and mine excused from participating
in your liberality. 1t occurs to me,
Mr.. President, that the liberality of
such course is on line or Il parallel
with the highwayman, who meeting
YOU on the road, demands your pocket
book and because he is stronger and has
power over you, you are compelled to
weld to his demands. He justifies his
conduct with the argument that he is
poor, while you have plenty of this
worlds goods, and it is right and just
that we should divide. Broad and lib
eral views that the rich man must Gi-
vide with the poor. The passage of
this bill, Mr.. President, would be
dangerous precedent. Alas, poor hui
man nature is very weak and selfish. If
unfortunately 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 yon
now, prompt you at the next session to
add OH another 10 cents on the 500
worth of property, and when ever your
necessities seem to demand it, make
your levy, apply the lash, and whip us
in. Can we, Mr.. 1resident-and | SUBJ
init it to this honorable body-live to-
gether in peace and harmony under
such a system of oppression and ty-
ranny.
From another standpoint, Mr.. Pres
ident, think it is against the public
good and the true welfare Of the class
they propose to help by placing 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 "A 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 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 in
dustry, make utter failures, waste the ir
patrimony and sink into oblivion I'M
honored and unknown. How much
better, Mr.. President, to legislate, rem
dering equal justice unto all, and 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. My people, MIR. Presi-
dent, are an agricultural people, la
boring, toiling 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 valua BILE, hence larger
tax payers, is it right, is it just, to the
man, because of his industry, his econ
omv, his close application to business,
he must be compelled to divide his SUBJ
stance, his hard earnings, with his
neighbor in an adjoining county, who
1t may be, from q lack Of industry or
economy, has failed to provide for him
self and family? Would you not by
such course be offering premium
upon idleness, while you destroy in
centive TO industry? trust, Mr.. Pres
ident, different course will be pursued,
different spirit prevail, and that our
young and growing State may not be
,loupal In bar onwarl oonrsa 70 ,ro.