Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-13

i
and contains in compact form our
States condition, political and material,
up to date and also many very valuable
suggestions and recommendations
which the Legislature should heed and
act upon at as early time as possible.
Gov. FLEMING begins by reviewing
briefly the progress and development OF
the State since 1870, during which time
our population has increased 72.57 per
cent. and railroad mileage 325 per cent.
The average annual increase in the coal
production from 1881 to 1891 has been
1921 per cent. "In view of the contin-
uous, rapid and symmetrical growth Of
the material interests OF the State"
says the Governor, "and the almost in
exhaustible natural resources that re-
main practically undeveloped, it is clear
that we are but in the infancy Of our,
industrial prosperity and progress"
In reviewing the States finances
the Governor shows a condition Of
affairs that is most highly gratifying
and source of congratulation TO the
people upon the wise, prudent and
economical management Of their affairs
by the party in power. All demands
upon the Treasury during the past two
years were promptly met without Dor
rowing, all outstanding loans have been
paid and West Virginia owes not one
cent. In this connection the Governor
earnestly warns the Legislature
against increasing expenditures be-
Yond the revenues, which he
believes ample to meet all necessary
aud proper demands. On the contrary
he suggests that it consider the adVis-
ability OF reducing the rate Of taxation,
a highly commendable suggestion. Be-
cause our treasury is unhampered is no
reason for abandoning the wise economy
that has brought about this happy con-
dition. If we can get along under eco
nomic Democratic administration with
less money, let the difference remain in
the pockets of the taxpayers. Says
the Governor:
By reason Of the revaluation Of real es-
tate, our taxable values have been increased
over SIS, 100000. This, at the present rate
of % cents on the 800, means an increased
annual revenue Of $62,5OO for State purpo-
ses. During the past three years, notwith-
standing the large appropriations made by
the last Legislature, every demand upon
the treasury was met without borrow
ing. and we were able at the same time
to discharge the so-caled State debt,
which aggregated SlS4,5ll.4S. The
public buildings OF the State are about
completed, and less hereafter will be re-
quired for public improvements. Unless,
therefore, il is deemed advisable to inaug-
urate new and extensive schemes Of State |
government, the present rate of taxation |
viii yield more revenue than the necessi- |
ties Of the State will require. l therefore |
recommend that the rate Of taxation be re- |
duced. l am Of the opinion that 20 cents |
on the 500 valuation will produce sufficient |
revenue for general State purposes.
The recommendation regarding the |
amendment of our new ballot system,
so that every voter should be allowed |
to vote only in his own precinct, is |
vsfOr my VI CaIvFut UUusru~----.~---
The Governor devotes considerable |
space to the matter Of procuring from !
the State of Virginia such land books
and other records Cor copies thereof) |
pertaining to land titles in West Virginia
as are in possession Of the old State.
He recommends an appropriation for
this object and advises the passage OF a
law making said records and certified
COPIES legal evidence. This is highly
important matter and we trust the
Legislature will adopt the Governors
recommendations.
He recommends the reconstruction Of
the present legal riddle and unjust law,
the Married Women's Act" on the
lines already suggested in these col
umns.
The Maryland boundary line dispute
is discussed. We're Maryland's claim
granted West Virginia would lose Min
eral county and that portion Of the
counties Of Hampshire, Hardy, Grant
and Pendleton lying west Of the South
Branch OF the Potomac, and also parts
of the counties Of Randolph, Tucker
and Preston. The Governor shows
pretty conclusively that Maryland has
little faith in the justice Of her claim,
the land in dispute having been within
the jurisdiction of Virginia and West
Virginia for over two centuries, and
Maryland having by an act
Of her Legislature in 1918
practically abandoned her claim, in
1852 setting up the Fairfax stone as her
western boundary. Nothing, in fact,
has since been heard Of this old dispute
uptilthe present bill was filed ia the
United States Supreme Court about a
year ago. Maryland's present offer to
arbitrate the dispute is further evidence
that her suit is more in the nature OF a
speculation than a just claim.
The Governor recommends that
the additional appropriation Of $4,000
asked to secure satisfactory State ex-
hibit at the Worlds Fair be granted.
He believes that the State will certainly
derive incalculable benefits from the
exhibit Of her matchless resources, and
the opportunity to make it complete