Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-11
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
Charleston, w. Va, January TO-
The hotel lobbies are beginning to
show some hustle and stir as the men,
bers Of the Legislature arrive.
However, there is an unusual tardi-
ness on the part of members of this
session in getting to the scene of their
work in comparison with former ses-
sions, or those sessions at which a
United States Senator is to be chosen.
Among the arrivals since last night
are Editor c. 3. Hart and Hon. Alex.
R. Campbell of Wheeling; Senator
White, Of Logan; Chas. f. Hahn,
member of the House from Mineral
county; s. r. Stapleton, member of
the House from Wood, and candidate
for Speaker; Col. r. e. Fast, of Nor
gantown; Sheriff Stephen G.. Pyle, Of
Tyler; eX-member of the House Cyrus
W. Crislipp, Of Roane; Hon. John
Cooper, of Mercer, and Senator Davies,
Of Fayette.
Mr.. Campbell is here to look after
the interests Of Senator Whitaker as a
candidate for the presidency of the
Senate.
He says he already has enough votes
pledged to Mr.. Whitaker to insure his
election
Mr.. Hanen, of Marshall, still appears
to hold the lead in the contest for
Speaker. Mr. Crislipp is after the
place of Sergeant-atA of the
House and he believes he has the in
side track on the other candidates.
GOVernor-elect Atkinson and Sena-
tor Whitaker are expected here to-mor-
row.
EXPECTED LEGISLATION.
There are indications that a strong
fight will be made on the large corpo-
rations at the coming session OF the
Legislature in the way Of an effort to
compel them to pay more taxes. 1t is
claimed that the farmers and plain
business men pay about all the taxes
for the support of the State govern
ment, while the big corporations, do
ing business on an extensive scale. are
practically paying nothing. An effort
will be made to regulate" insurance
companies, building and loan associa-
tions. coal companies, sleeping car
and refrigerator car companies, banks,
etc. with a view TO collecting from
them a just share of the money neces-
sary for the support of the government.
ha will
be embodied in several bills, which
are now being prepared by Hon. j. b.
Floyd. who has had considerable leg
islative experience in both houses OF
the Legislature, and who is interested
in the movement TO equalize taxation
in the State. He has made thorough
examination of the subject. comparing
our tax laws With those Of other States
and getting up a scheme Of taxation
which shall aim to be just to all classes
Of citizens. Mr.. Floyd in conversa-
tion with the Register correspondent
this morning. expressed surprise that
the people of the State have permitted
such an unjust system of taxation to
continue for so long a time. He said
what little legislation there is now on
our statute books designed TO collect
taxes from corporations was drawn so
loosely that it is almost impossible to
collect taxes from them.
\ STARTLING COMPARISON.
For the purpose of comparing the
revenues Of our State with those OF
some other States. Mr.. Floyd turned
to the report of the Auditor General
of Pennsylvania for 1895 as an exam
pie. which gives a summary Of the rev.
enue received from taxation in a single
year from November 80, 1894, to No
vember 30. 1895, as follows: