The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-01-15

Judgments are chiefly defective in respect
TO such priyy examination, ] particular
ly recommend that the law be 80 amend
ed as 10 require the same examination
only OF fame cover as is required Of
feme sole.
CERTAIN GLASSES OF PROPERTY NOT
TAXED.
The tax law should be amended with
reference TO certain classes Of property
used and found within the State, belong.
ing to or claimed for certain foreign cor
poraions, and now escaping taxation.
The Pullman Car Company's sleeping
chair and parlor cars compose conBid.
cradle part of nearly every passenger
train on our trunk lines; fares are col.
leoted by all persons who ride therein
by the company's employees, and the
railroads pay 10 the Pullman Company
in addition a service mileage at the rate
OF two cents per mile for each car. The
State should subject this property to
taxation on an equitable tasis.
Many railroad and coal companies
throughout the State are using leased
cars and perhaps other rolling stock be
longing TO foreign car trust companies,
which under present laws are not assess.
ed for taxation. The quantity and value
Of such property used and found in the
State is rapidly increasing every year
Orr assessment laws should be amend.
ed TO reach this class Of property.
Under SECTIONS anu Is Of chapter "a
Of the Code, foreign telegraph COM
panles operating in West Virginia re.
port only the gross receipts for messages
sent TO or received from points within
the State. The receipts for messages
sent to or received from points without
the State are not reported or taxed. II
the interstate commerce. clause Of the
Federal Constitution forbids this being
done, some other mode OF taxation
should be devised in the premises.
sHRIToS COLLEGE.
In compliance with a joint resolution
passed at the last session OF the Legisla-
ture, appointed commission to in
quire into and report upon the expedi-
ency of purchasing Shelton College, in
kanawha county, for an academy for
colored youth.
DELINQUENT AND FORFEITED LANDS.
Those of our lands commonly de-
nominated wild lands are rapidly In
creasing in value. Many tracts but re-
Gently regarded as comparatively worth.
lees are now Of ready sale at good prices.
Large bodies of such lands belong TO the
State through forfeiture and sale for
nonpayment Of taxes. Whatever legs
lation is necessary to secure to the State
the value OF ouch lands should be en-.
acted.
A large portion Of these lands, also, is
in possession OF settlers under junior
grants or purchases at delinquent tax
sales and sales made by school com.
nissioners, the senior titles to which are
valueless, having been forfeited for non
payment OF taxes. Nevertheless, am
informed that in numerous cases per-
SONS holding these forfeited and worth.
less titles have them entered upon the
assessors books, possibly eCore OF years
after such delinquency and forfeiture,
without paying or having them charged
with back taxes; allow the lands to be.
come again delinquent and forfeited and
sold for taxes, buy them in, or purchase
through the school commissioners, thus
obtaining deeds therefor, and placing
themselves in position to blackmail
the settler, who, though he may have
the better title, usually prefers to COM
promise the matter rather than defend
an action Of eiectment, often brought in
the federal court and involving an ex-
pense equal to the value OF the land in
controversy.
l urge such changes in the law, or the
enactment Of such new measures, as will
prevent the entry Of forfeited lands
upon the asssseors' books. Penalties
should be enacted against persons pro-
caring it to be done, as will as against
the officers who in violation Of the law
make such entries.
a NoTARIRS PUBLIC,