Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-03

these are the only classes that are clsmor
ing for exemptions. The farmer says II
you make everybody pay taxes on oil the
property he owns, l am willing to pay on
| all | own. But if the manufactures is oniy
taxed on bis mill, his furnace, and hi'
factory, and Is exempted from taxation
on all his product; why should not pay on
nv farm, and be exempted from taxes on
all the products Of my farm, including al
nv live stock, as well as crops grown direct.
ly from tbe soil during the current year
1 confess that if you only tax the factory
out which the product groWsi in the one case
there is plausibility in the proposition that
only the farm should be taxed out of which
the product of the farm grow.
The difference 10 the prin-
ciple is difficult to see. While on this
subject, Mr. President, l want to say that
only last Saturday, in this hall, we were
treated with a new philosophy on the sub,
iect of taxation, by one of the most dlstln.
guished lawyers in the State; distinguished
on account of his ability, his learning and
high character. He appeared as the attor-
nty tor a portion of the iron interest ln-tais
city (Wheeling.) He showed that BY the
census reports of 1880, that the farms IN
the State were valued at $l33,OOO,-
coo, and that their total pro-
duct from the soil for that year was only
worth nineteen millions Of dollars,
while there was a little less than $4,000
coo invested in manufacturing, (only a lit
tie more than one-tenth as much as was
invested in farms) and yet that the gross
| product Of manufactures was worth S23,-
600. 600, and claimed that as manufacturing
vas the great wealth producing interest IN
the State, it fought to be exempt from taxa
ton, of course that meant the $685. 900, 900
worth of farms which produce less than the
| $4,000, 900 invested in factories, should
pay the taxes that the Sl4, 100000 should
be exempted from paying. This, think,
would strike most men as a new and strange
philosophy. Yet strange as it may seem
TO people outside Of the manufacturing dis
tricts, it is the philosophy upon which our
legislators have acted in framing the tax Law
| now on, our statute book, which many Sena'
| tors on this floor to day have not the cour
| age to vote to repeal. Why is it that our
tax laws which are plainly demonstrations!
in some of their most important features,
and very defective in others, cannot be
| amended so as to eguahze taxation among
the people, so as TO take a burden of the
shoulders of the submissive class of tax
PAYERS which does not belong to them, aud
placeit on shoulders where it does belong.
Why is it that we are met at every step In
almost solid phalanx by one side of this
chamber to defeat legislation on this i'm
portant subject? Why isit that a large
number of the peoples representatives are
so derelict in their duty to their constitu.
ents? Why is it that the exempted classes
are so watchtll of their interests and always
able to control legislation on all questions
affecting their interest on this all lmpor'
tant questions? When the great majority,
the agricultural class can get no hearing,
and no redress? Look around you, and the
answer is plain TO every Senator on this
locr. From the very beginning Of eur Ell
lort TO amend the laws, for the plrpoSe OF
eoualizing taxation, this hall has been in-
les,ed with a LOBBY in the interest OF every
class that has for long year.
largely escaped taxation. Ine
manufacturer has been constantly repre-
seuted here in full lobby with able counse'
in front, pleading with Senators to save
them from the measures Of taxation that is
placed upon others. The banker has also
been represented by a full lobby of some OF
the best talent in the city, crying out
against the imposition Of the same amount
of taxes on them, that the private citizen
has always had imposed on him on proper,
~ Of a like kind. And for his benefit, this
Senate has taken o recess, so that his repre-
sentative might be heard in open Senate
against eoualizing taxes on him; a thing
which has not before occurred probably in
the two Nirginias. The licensed class have
infested these Hobbies day by day. The
| representatives of the railroad corporations
nave also been on hand to see that they re-
ceiye no detriment. The merchant has set
ap bis plaintive appeal for mercy. All these
classes representing probably one.halt OF
he wealth Of the State, and paying but
little more than One-tourth OF the
| taxes on the property Of the State. But
where was the lobby TO be seen, or to be
heard in behalf of the agricultural interest
Whsre was the farmer and his lobby? He
hss not vet made his appearance, he will
nor be here. AL other interests have their
lobby towering round this body by day and
| bv night. But the great AK paying army
OF the State is not seen in these halls These
are the dangers that surround US, these are
| the influences bv which VT are surrounded
which have obstructed legislation in this
chamber for so many days and which have
[ tear have demoralized more than halt the
members of this Senate. If we fail to pass
this bill to conform the tax laws to the con-
stitution, and thereby make a long stride in
the direction OF the equalization Of taxes
among the people, BY placing on the tax
books a large amount of property that has
heretofore improperly escaped taxation. 1t
will be because the lobby is stronger than
the peoples Legislators.
One word more, Mr.. President, and am
dore. | want to say a few words in rela.
ZION to q constitutional amendment having
for its object the exemption Of certain prop.
erty from taxation. If we should find ii
in possible to agree on an equitable tax
law BY which taxes for the support Of gov
eminent would bear equally on all in pro
portion to tie property owned by each
Then | might be induced to vote for sucH
an amendment 10 the Constitution as woul1
exempt such classes Of property from taxi
ticn as are most generally owned BY al
classes OF our population, so that the ex
emptions should apply as nearly as possible
to the whole population. But | never will
consent to such amendment as will exempt
the property of one class Of property owners
from taxation, and tax the other classes tc
pay for the protection of he property Of thu
exempted class.