Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-04-24
Individual Opinions.

CHATS WITH GENTLEMEN OF PROMINENCE.
During yesterday REGISTER reporters
cba,ted with quite lumber Of representa-
tive politicians and bus ness men relative
to the stand taken by the Governor, and as
result large number Of xoressoas Of
opinions WIRE gathered, from which the
folio wing are selec:ed;-
Hon. G. W. Atkinson: 1t was brave
thing tor the Governor ID do His action
will be received with deep satisfaction by
farmers and manufacturers throughout the
State.
Col. Robert White:-I think there ia no
doubt about the position of the Supreme
Court on the subject, and | think any other
questions brought before it would call forth
decisions in a line with those in the Buch-
ausn and Chesapr axe and Ohio caaes. |
don't think the Governors points are we'll
taken. The order is sure to raise great
row all over the State and will compiicate
The coming campaign beyond measure.
George 3. CsId Seli:-l think the deci.
sion is as the Low ought 10 DO. The deci.
sion of the Court was 90 the general prin-
cip'e that ali exemptions not in the Con
stitution are void, but it only applied this
10 the Chesapeake aud Ohio road as far az
was uecessary-in other words, the railroad
exemption was. void because all exemp-
lions not in the ,COnatitution were void
The Governor takes the wrong view. he
would disregard the decisions of the court
until, one by one, it had gone over the
whole ground, Notwithstanding the princi-
pies laid down in one case are clearly sp'
pltcsble to all There can be but one view
Of the matter taken by lawyers.
Attorney A. J. Clarke:--l always
thought TIE assessment right; manutac-
tlrers and farmers ought to pay the tax
Assessor Robt. Pnilips-The law has
been running along for four years now,
everybody has got used to it, and were sat
iafied with it, Now the whole thing is uu'
done, and we vii! have TO 60 back to the
old order OF things. 1t will make big
ference in the property returns The
tsllil off in Ohio county will be about
$500 900, and in the State from 81 0.s 900
10 100000. 1t will throw me
back about month in ny work.
Fortunately, none OF the manuiac-
tusers have yet returned their blanks, and
| suppose none will return them, now, I'M
I'll The Auditor sends official notice OF the
change Largo taxpayers have always re-
turned properly coming under the legisIa'
tive sct under protest, and | suppose they
will now take steps 10 recover from the
State. The inevitable result OF this order
sill be the enactment OF new assessment
law by the Legislature at its next session.
Another gentleman who requested that
his name be withheld, said the action of The
Governor would result in laying add
tional burdens in thu way OF taxa.
ton upon the farmers and real estate
owners. Under the Fegime OF Governor
Jackson, there was an attempt to take the
burden OF taxation of the shoulders OF the
poor men aud place it on rich corporations
and manufacturers, who were able to pay
what was required. Nov, inevitably, the
falling of IN revenue would compel the
Legislature to increase either the valuation
or the rate Of tax alton, and in either case,
the burden wo4h fsll upon the farmers
and landowners the vast ma ority of whom
had little outside of their property. In
Ohio county sloCe half to three quarters Of
a million dollars OF property owned by rich
manufacturers would now escape.
A member Of the last administration
wanted to know what the Board Of Public
Works had to do with the matter anyway?
1t was en- stair for the Auditor and Gov.
eruor to settle between themselves. If be
were Auditor he would refuse to obey the
Governors instructions.
One we'll known Democrat said Governor
Wilson has pleased the Republicans be-
yond measure. But it will raise all sorts
of disseusions among Democrats.
Another remarked he thought it was the
shrewdeet move the Governor could con
ceive Of and it would be worth 5000 votes
to the Democratic party Of the State.
Another a prominent lawyer, said it
suited him because that's the way he Look
ed st it before, but he very much doubted
the ACCESSIBILITY of such procedure.
Qlite a number Of other views we're OBJ
tainei, but tie shove will serve to outline
the course Of comment.