Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-22

parks took the floor and
moved TO amend the bill TO make the
general levy % cents instead OF 20, ana
smoke at length upon his motion. lie
could not believe that 10 was seriously
proposed TO reduce the general levy IN
view of the present extraordinary de-
mands upon the revenues OF the State.
reduction in the rate OF taxatio n
would endanger the credit OF the State.
He found that the revenue Of the State
would amount TO $50, coo FOR each OF
the ensuing two years and the eX-
penses rs provided in the Appropriation
bin and other sources would exceed that
sum by 100000 A reduction OF
cents in the levy would increase the de-
6c.t TO $500. 900. Senator Peck, speak
ing upon Mr.. Parks amendment, made
D plea for the free schools in the poor
counties. He stated that farmers are
cmicrating 10 the West, where their
children are afforded more efficient
schools Ia some counties OF the
state, longer terms are secured
az Is cents than in other counties
with Q local levy OF $3.50 on the SlOO
valuation. President Wiley (Senator
Gall in the Chair, spoke against the
bin and In favor of the amendment.
He was informed from reliable source
that the increase Of so per cent. in the
school tax would pay only $40 10 each
school. Would that secure longer terms?
General Watts opposed the amendment
bnt did not discuss the increase
in the school levy. lie quoted
from the Governors message and
thought the recommendation 10 20
cents i'm the levy for general purposes
should be carried out. The people were
already overburdened with taxes. SEN
ator Tarr followed Gen. Watts with a
similar argument. Senator Whitaker
made an excellent speech in support OF
theamcndment, In which he gaven clear
aud concise statement OF the financial
situation. Replying 10 Senators Watts
and Tarr, he said no man had 4 greater
respect for the Governor than he, but
he ventured the assertion that If the
Governor was writing his message to-
day, he would not make the recOmenda-
ton 70 reduce the levy. He read ex-
tracts from the Auditors report and
showed that the estimated receipts
for 1861, were Sis 600 less
than the disbursements for
the two preceding years. He regarded
the past tive years as safer guide than
the estimates for the ensuing two years.
With 40 practical good reason Il was
now proposed TO cut down the revenues,
with tho probability that a deficit will
be found in the Treasury. 1t was not
clear 10 him, as q member Of the finance
committee who had considered the mat
ter carefully, that the State
would DO enabled TO reduce taxa
ton. Mr.. Parks stated that he
intended to offer another amendment
10 reduce the school levy to 10 cents,
leaving the levies foI school and gen.
eral purposes as at present. Mr.. st.
Clair made strong speech in favor of
the bill. he held that the public
schools OF the State should never be
maintaieed by local taxation. They
were The property OF the entire State,
and should be maintained By the
entire State. The only instructions re-
cciyed by representatives. OF the rich
counties was from the wealthy citizens
Of those counties. The poor people, if
given an opportunity, would vote for an
Increase in the school tax. Mr.. ST.
Clair said he would submit some facts
on the subject tomorrow morning, and
at the close Of his speech the Senate
nd fOurnpd