Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-16


Il appears from this table that although
many counties were not assessed, as required
by the instructions of the Auditor, yet the
increase of value of personal property IN
the year 1884, over that of 1881, was S.
604,399.
This increase clearly indicates that an in.
crease of population brings additional
wealth, and the decrease in the value OF
personal property for the years prior to 1882
was occasioned BY the negligent manner in
which our assessors discharge their duties.
Had the instructions of the Auditor been
complied with in all the counties, further
increase would have been shown, and the
burthen of the taxpayer who makes full
return been proportionately hghteued.
therefore recommend that our assess
ment laws be amended so that they conform
to the Constitution, and such additional
penalties be enacted as will compel asses.
sors to discharge their duties faithfully and
lmpartially.
Tax Commission.
The several reports Of the Tax Com
missioners made in pursuance Of the
law creating the Commission are laid before
you.
These reports contain much matter re-
lating to the subject they had under consid.
Grafton. The Commission, however, do not
formulate any bill to carry into effect the
provisions Of the Constitution.
am of opinion, that the amendments of
our present assessment law hereinbetore IN
dicated will meet the present requirements
OF the State.
State Banks, Etc.
lam in receipt of letter from the Comp
troller of the Currency requesting that he be
furnished with certain information in rela-
ton to the condition of the banks, banking
companies and savings banks organized
under the laws of this State as will enable
him to answer the requirements Of section
333 of the Revised Statues OF the United
States.
By reference to our laws relating to such
institutions it will be seen that they are not
required to make any exhibit of their condi-
ton to any department Of the State Govern
ment
The Comptroller in his report to the
second session of the Forty-eighth Congress
notes the fact that several of the States are
not required by law to make such report,
among which he names West Virginia, and
for that reason cannot make as complete re-
turns as the act of Congress contemplates.
With view of rendering the system OF
reports more complete and effective, the
Comptroller prepared bill, submitted with
bis report, with the suggestion that State
officers residing in those States where no
returns are required, if approved by them,
lend the weight of their influence to pro-
cure the enactment of law similar in form
by the Legislature of their respective States.
The letter of the Comptroller, with the form
of the bill referred to, are submitted to
you for your information.
see no good reason why bill similar in
form to the one presented should not be
enacted.
Banks organized under the laws Of this
State hold on deposit large sums Of money,
the depositor having no means of infOrma'
ton as to their solvency, is compelled to re-
" solely upon the honesty and business
capacity Of lbs officers and managers for
the security of his deposits.
Two of the State banks and one savings
institution have failed within the last ten
wears, in which depositors have lost large
sums of money, In one of which the State
was also loser for considerable sum- II
being q State depository. Had these banks
been compelled to make such an exhibit as
in the proposed bill is called for, depositors
probably, might not have lost their money
entrusted to them.
Many of these banks are now State depos
itories. 1t is suggested that they be re
ouired to report their condition as herein
mentioned, and that power be vested in the
Board of Public Works to appoint an ex
aminer from time to time to investigate
their condition so that the State may bt
fully protected. These statements were re
ouired 10 be made BY the law of Virgins
before the formation Of this State, as will bt
seen by reference to the Code of 1860, chap
| Ter So, sections ~ to As inclusive.
/ therefore recommend the adoption o
such urouer legislation as will meet the re
uuirements herein mentioned.
Hospital for the Insane.
The Board of Directors and Superintend
emit of the Hospital have submitted their 81
ennial report Of its condition and wants, Z
which your careful consideration is invited
The appropriation made in 1873 was sut
ficient TO complete the building according
10 its original design. The entire building
was completed in 1881 and was at that tim,
deemed to be sufficient to accommodate oil
the insane Of the State for many years t
| come.
For the first time all of the insane wert
removed from our county jAils and properl!
cared for at the Hospital, making the tota
of patients treated for the year ending Sep
TENDER 80, 1881, $50.
The reports of the Superintendent for tn
last three years show 3 gradual increase o
patients, thereby indicating IS our populs
fion increases that the number Of patient
must necessarily increase. The SuperIntend
emit in bis present report says that the hos
uital has been and is now crowded to its fal
est capacity. The whole number unde
treatment for the last six months was 764
daily average 69l," an increase Of nearl
forty per cent. in three years. So large o.
increase has proven that the sccommodS
lions then deemed to be ample are now II
adequate for the insane.
The Directors in their report say that tn
"Hospital il now filed TO Its utmost capaC
ity, and yet there are ffty-6ve patients COZ
6ned in iails asking tor admission. In We
of these facts the important inquiry SUI
qests itself. what shall be done with on
s1saneP Justice and common humanii
, viii saw. they should have hon
. and should be duly and tenderlf cared fol
ard wa beIieye that the generous and int
. Iigent sentiment Of our people win say, tn
} ample provisions shall be made Tor them
, | once. We hope that the suggestions OF o.