Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-22
rur nrMANns on rae FARMERs.


The Greenbrier Independents in last
weeks issue tersely comments on the
lust complaints Of tho farmers, calling
for State legislation upon questions OF
paramount Importance to the public at
large, as well as their own class. In
substance il says:
First, they ask for a rigid enforcement
% that provision OF the State constitution
requiring equal and uniform taxation, ana
that all property, real and personal, De
taxed according TO its value, except that
exempt by the constitution. Believing
that large proportion OF the personal
property in the State escapes taxation pc
cause il is not listed, that an unequal and
unjust proportion Of the public burden IS
thrown upon the lands held principally by
farmers. they demand listing ana proper
valuation Of all personal property, thus
placing the burden Of taxation upon those
TO whom the benefit OF the protection OF the
law accrUes. Al citizens of all classes are
alike interested in the enforcement OF such
a Law.
Secondly, They demand an application in
this State OF the principles of the Inter-
state Commerce law passed by Congress.
The appointment Of Railroad Commits
siOner is asked. with power TO supervise
tariffs, prevent discrimination, regulate
the charges for carrying passengers and
freights, and that in all respects railroad
corporations shall deal Justly with the
people. Abuse of railroad franchises
should be prevented, the State having the
right 20 regulate their rates.
Thirdly, An effective law against usury
is demanded. All banks chartered by the
State should be made 70 comply with the
statute in respect to this evil. The pass
age OF such d measure would in the end DE
of material benefit 20 State banks, consid-
ering that more money would oe loaned at
six than at eight per cent interest.
Lastly, legislation Is demanded against
railroads giving passes to State officials,
members Of the Legislature, Judges, etc,
making il a misdemeanor for officials TO
accept free transportation from railroad
company. As railroads can have out one
object in passing these officials over their
roads, il becomes matter OF good public
policy TO enforce such law.
There sre few who will deny the
righteousness Of these demands, ia the
main. The farmers as body do not
get the cream Of legislation in their in
terests. True they represent the most
populous element in many States, but
owing to their mode Of life, the lack OF
conveniences for meeting often, their
wide distance apart and the mate dis
taste they have Of depending upon each
other, combine TO scatter and weaken
their resources for mutual protection
from the cupidity OF other and
more aggressive elements Of society.
Often, too, it happens that their demands
are so radical, in consequence of long
borne and heavy burdens In silence
that they lose even the opportunity to
attain that to which there ought to be
no question.
1t is plainly evident, however, that
there is a day of reckoning close at
hand. The agricultural portion of the
people are realizing from bitter expert
ence the causes of their troubles and
how to remedy them. The more fire.
quent meetings, and the growing semi
political organizations among them,
prove that they are indeed earnest,
and are determined to demand, aud to
maintain, their rights under the organic
law. The REGISTER heartily wishes
them success in their efforts, but re-
minds them that one of the safest and
quickest ways to attain that end is TO
cousort with the party that comes
nearest to their ideas of fair play. 1t
is unnecessary to name that party,
their own careful observation will
readily point it OUT