The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-02-13

CHARLssyoS, ". Va. Fob. 1.-THE
most closely contested baltic Of the
session took place to-day. tho subject
being house bill $50, tho same measure
known u. the session OF 1893 as the
prince tax bill" l. came up as
special order aud Mr.. Edwards (Mr.
Pyle in the chair moved to amend by
placing the general lovy at o2l. aud the
school levy at l2i cents
Nh. Brady led tho opposition and
made a ringing speech agains. the bill.
No man. he said, was more favorable to
education than him seli, but gentlemen
were going too fa,t. They were going
on the presumption that there wa,
moneyin the treasury to justity this re-
duction. when the fact wa, there was not.
II the bill passes there will be u deficit
instead OF balance in the treasury.
The people ot Ohio county, III ten
years, have contributed $4,000 more
to the school fund than they have
drawn out, and it would be little better
than highway robbery-almost larceny
to compel them to give more than
they are now giving. The people feel
that they have always been imposed
upon in this matter, and it would sim.
ply be political suicide for Republican
legislature to saddle them with heav-
ier burden than they are already bear
ing.
Mr.. Brady was amply fortified with
figures and he subytautia,ed his state
menss by their inconsrovertible evi.
dence.
Mr.. Edwards replied in a rather pyro-
techuic speech. He said two years ago
similar measure had passed the
house, receiving a practically solid Re-
publican vote, while the Democrats gen.
orally voted against it. He was willing
to let the Republican party bear the re-
sponsibility OF iis passage. The opposi-
tion coming from Ohio county was based
upon the supremest seltishnesi. Ohio
county had normal school, and two
years ago had received from the state
$4,000 for its benefit This year she
will get 5000 sure-Sl2.000 in all. Her
objections 10 the measure were based
upon selfish grounds and no other.
Mr.. Evaus said tho only question to
be considered was whether the affairs Of
the state could be conducted on a 22t
cent levy. investigation made SO far
indicates that it cannot be done without
crippling the various necessary ins.itu-
tlons OF the state and robbing the luna.
tics and conyic;s in the penlteutiary Of
that to which they arc entitled. The
Republican party can't afford to do thi,
and 90 before the people with the
fimsy prete1t that it wa, done to re.
duce taxation.
sMITu SCORES POINT.
Mr.. Smith, Of Ohio, referring to Mr..
Edwards, said his statements would
have come in much better taste il they
were made by a gentleman who did
no. represent county that draws moro
out OF tho state treasury ior school pur.
poses than 1t pays in, as kauawha does.
and after all this passes around the hat
to other countie, asking thom to help
her free schools. Ohio county pays in
annually abou: Sl50,O0O more than shc
gets out.
Mr.. Evans moved to substitute 25
cents for 22s cents, which was lost by q
vote Of 25 to 81.
II was evident that the friends OF tho
bill had the advantage in point OF num-
bers and were disposed to push 1t
through without giving any further
time 20 ita consideration. Messrs.
Brady, Evans and Smith fought gal
ian,ly for time to make moro thorough
inquiries into the states finances, but
only partially succeeded in carrying
their point Mr.. Brady moved to lay
the bill on the table. which motion was
lost, and Mr. Evan, moved to refer it to
the finance committee, which was also
voted down, although 1t was well UNDER
stood that no intelligent action could be
taken until tho amount OF necessary
appropriations for tho next Two years is
known.
noTH SIDES IN EARNEST.
Both ,idos wero in solemn earnest and
neither Bosmed disposed to surrender.
Motions to po1tpone tho announcement
Of the vote. to reconsider, ior recess, for
adjournment, and calls for ayes and noos
flew thick aId fast. The speaker pro
trn became somewhat confused, and
Epoaker Edwards assumed tho chair in
the hope ols!rnightening out tho tangle,
bat tho task was hopeless one. Motion
after motion and demand nitcr demand
had been piled OIL each othor until no
ono knew exactly where he was nj.
Thore wore Homo rather remarkable
rulings by the chair. which wero OK
cepted to, and matters wcro becoming
moro md moro tangled until everybody
realized that the thing had gone far
enough, nnd halt was made by com.
mon conarnt and vote was tnkcn on
Mr.. Edwards amendment proposing to
subs,itulc 221 Tor 20 cents, tho l21.cent
feature being decided to DO sepnrate
amendment. 1t prevailed by voto oi
81 to %, and aftor many unsuccossiul
attempts adjournment wns had while
tho 12!-cont amendment was still pend.
Ing.
NO HARD YEELigGs.
Whilo tho fight wal ono OF tho liycli.
est ever seon In legislative body any
whore, no hard feelings wors onsen-
GsreG everybody seeming to bo in a
good ilrno.
The little brenzo at tina morning se'-
slon ovsr tho school book bill wns vnry
mild az compared With the storms That