The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-02-17
mo, it does not"
SUPPLEMENTAL ASSESSMENT.



How Governor JACEsun's Famous order
Was Conceived aud Islusd.
Special DiPaieh 70 he AtttIiGacr.
WASHINGTON, D, O., Feb, lG.-A gentle.
man Of great prominence in the State aud
high standing in the last one Of the nu.
merous factions OF the Democratic party,
has favored me with a portion OF the in
side history OF Governor Jsckson's famous
supplemental assessment order,
lie says that the tyrsnnical decree
which came 80 near causing the wreck Of
the Democratic party In 1854, aud which
afforded the Republicans OF West Yir.
9lnla the best opportunity they have ever
had Tor carrying the State, was issued
after q caucus Of about dCzsu Of the most
distinguished Democratic members Of the
Legislature, a SslGconstituted Board Of
Advisors to the Governor, They held q
secret caucus in Wheeling Just previous
10 the pfOInulgatlon Of the supplemental
assessment order. Every man present
vas n member OF one or the ether Of the
two Houses OF the legislature and leader
in hia own particular section. All were
ring politicians.
CONDITION or sTATH FINANCES
They mad come together in answer to
call rs a sort Of ways and means com.
mittee, Tho erpsnses Of the State were,
Az they have ever been, under Democratic
rule, lar in excess Of the income. The
school fund was depleted, and the admin.
istration was sadly in need OF money, In
shis dire extremity some OF the grave
statesmen showed themselves equal 70 the
emergency by discovering lin their own
minds, that the constitutional pterOgAtiVe
Of the Executive and the West Virginia
lux Law were both subject 10 an elastic
construction.
II have IT." said one Of the statesman,
when the question Of how to meet ex.
penses came up, I'VE will have to tax farm
products aud corporations !"
"Whatl Tax the farmers hsy, corn,
cattle, pigs, chickens, geese, butter, egge,
&c.P Why, the law Nempts them !" ex'
claimed several other soions.
"l.9L the law be amended 60 as to take
chem in."
"Dut that would ba All unpopularpropo.
'itiOn," was the verdict Of nearly all the
members OF the caucus; land II would be
committing political suicide for us to 20
oeiora the people with proposition to
tax their farm products, which have hore.
tofore been exempt. 1t is very clear this
thing ought 10 be done, but II we do il,
good bye Democratic nartyW
WAY OUT or THE DILEMMA.
~ quito agree with my distinguished
friend" !" said a statesman from east Of the
mountains "suCh a proposition as that
coming from US TO the people direct would
cause our immediate retirement. | think
can suggest way out OF this dilemma.
The constitutional prerogatives Of the
Governor seem 10 be unlimited. Now,
now will 1t do for Governor jackson "
issue an official order to the county asses
,ors, directing them 10 list this property
next year"
"In violation Of law2" asked the Gov.
ernOr, nervously-ior he was present.
"Don't the constitution give you right
10 construe tho law2" was the reply. "Of
CuuIbb ~ uVGbs 1up law ~ GACulAJ WlOhB
aud unjust, while the constitution, which
says that taxation shall be equal and uni.
form, is right. Now, my idea Is this: The
Governor, as you all know, Is debarred
from serving another torn and cannot,
therefore, hope for further political honors
In the near future. On the contrary, we,
gentlemen will nearly all bs before the
people next year for. reelection. We
must be Olbar Of gll inGumbrances. There.
lore, Is II not better, seeing the Governor
is more fAvorably situated, for him 10
issus-unknown to us, Of Course-an ex.
eCutive order. The result desired will
thus be accomplished without any one
suffering at the ASndr Of an outraged peo.
ple."
THR GOVERNOR KICKED.
The Governor kicked somewhat against
this proposition, but was assured by all
present that II his order raised a row they
each and every one stood pledged to see
that lie was vindiCated at the polls. As.
suranCes we're also given him that tue
Supreme Court would sustain him.
r u -