Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-02-02
NO. 90.

much larger than at any previous session.
But again, looking at it solely as a mat
ter of dollars and cents, so far as it affects
the State of West Virginia, it would not be
in the interest of my people. The amount
that would be received under this bill, for
the period of eight years in ihe State of
West Virginia would be 81, ,057 ,S96.SS"
"Now," said Mr. Faulkner, let us see
how and what she would pay. Two thirds
Of the amount she would pay would be col
ected from custom duties, the other third
By internal taxation. IT has been estima.
ted by the best statiSticians that for every
dollar collected on imports three dollars are
paid to the manufacturer of the articles
consumed. Ii the calculation is true our
people would pay into the Treasury of the
United States, during the eight years, in
money, the sum Of SS25. .15S 81, two, thirds
of this amount, to-wit $3.50, lO5.5s, being
collected from customs our citizens in pur-
chasing these articles of consumption would
be required to pay three times tina, amount,
to-wit: $.6503l674, which added TO the
sS2j 1887 actually paid into the Treasury
would make the real cost Of this bill to our
people $2,475,474 II, or in other words. to
get the benefit of ths unconstitutional, con-
ditional donation from the Federal Govern
ment the citizens of West Virginia would
have to pay in eight years 81 Sl.4l7,5O97S
more than they would receive. | am una
bic to see, even in a pecuniary sense how
the people Of my State can be benefited by
the passage of such a law.
Another serious objection to this bin is
the fact that its tendency is to withdraw the
free school system from the direct and i'm.
mediate control and absolute self reliance
of the people in each district in the State,
who are directly interested IN iis practical
working, To-day throughout our whole
STATE the people rely upon their owu Efforts
and ability 10 promote ihi, institution aud
take, ,atall time. - deeppcrsonal interestihit.
Let the idea once 90 abroad that thc money
90 supply iis wants is to be derived from
ihc Federal Treasury. and che energies aud
interest Of the people n that, "a. ia all other
domestic concerns. once aiken possession Of
10y the Federal authorities. becomes weak
eaed aud their reliance paralyzed. as was
illustrated conclusively by the case Of Con-
necticut when she sold her Western Reserve
lands
"Our school system. resting upon the in
terest which each community necessarily
feels in the education OF its own children,
and on that sellreliance which j. character
istc OF the American people, is gradually
but steadily improving its system aud en-
arging it, expenditures, until we find that
The amount collected for school purposes in
our State Tor the year 1887 will aggregate
about the sum of 81 ,3OS, ,66G 62, which, TAX
ing into consideration our population and
assessable property, presents as proud
record a, can be shown by almost any State
in the Union.
These are some of the prominent reasons
which will induce me to cast my vote
against this bill, aud feel confident that
the more the people Of our State reflect
upon the subject the more sincerely and
heartily will they endorse my action.
GROWTH OF OUR SCHOOLS.
This phenomenal development Of our
school interest in Wet Virginia, which has
been at the rate Of forty per cent in the
last four years. is a practical illustration Of
the confidence fcl, by the people in popular
education; and i, an evidence Of their pride
and intelligent interest in the Development
of a system so essential to their happiness
and 50 promoliye ol their highest interests.
rhis j. tie result Of self reliance, individu-
ality aud a deep and earnest popular senti-
mrnt tha, should not be weakened by the
interference of the Federal Government in
the domestic concerns Of the people Of our
-tutc, the tendency Of which would be to
paralyzc the energies cool the enthusiasm
and educate people to lean upon the strong
arm Of centralized power rather Than upon
their efforts. You may say that ] do not
intend to cloud the record have made. in
nay own county, as the sincere and earnest
friend and supporter Of popular education
by voting for bill that, in nay judgment,
will virtually transfer the school interests
Of the State to the control and manage
ment Of a majority Of the Federal Congress,
and make it the football in national poll
ties for the demagogue to cry himself hOarse