Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-04
Governor Bushnell May Squelch Congress
sional Ambitions in 10th Ohio District.

~ AOth OhAO lCLB
Speciai 10 the Register.
ST. GAINESVILLE, Ohio, July g.
The situation in the Sixteenth Ohio
Congressional district is complicated,
and the indications are that the usual
large Republican plurality will imperil
rather than help the party. Belmont,
Harrison and Carroll each have one
candidate, Jefferson three, Cor more),
Monroe none. One of the Jefferson
candidates is quite wealthy, and it is
thought the boys who usually handle
the DOODLE" Notwithstanding they
may profess to support a home candi-
date, will be found intriguing against
him, and at the proper time ready to
betray him. The nomination for the
State Senate, already made, and that
for Circuit Court Judge, yet to be made,
likewise may have much influence. 1t
is conceded all around that Mr.. John
M. Cook, of Steubenville, will be nomi-
mated for Circuit Court Judge. Just
what arrangements were made with
other counties to secure the unanimous
nomination of Archer for the Senate no
one is prepared to guess at this stage,
nor what influence the nomination of
Cook may have, but that both will cut
a figure in the Congressional nomina-
ton there is no of doubt. 1t is
thought Governor Bushnell will not
order a special election. That would
cost about Sc, 900, with no compensation
to any one except the successful can-
didate. That a tremendous fight for
the nomination is impending there is
no manner of doubt, and that circum-
stances may arise that will seriously
imperil Republican ~ascendancy in Bel
mon county is quite probable.
That part of the railroad bridge at
Bellaire within Belmont county has
never been appraised for taxation,
Singular as it may appear, property
that ought to be on the tax duplicate
at a valuation of 100000 has wholly
escaped taxation for more than a quar-
ter of a century. Recently the county
auditor undertook to get it upon the
duplicate, but was met with that con-
venient refuge of corporations-an in
junction-issued from the United States
Circuit Court, at Cincinnati. Upon
hearing the question of ownership
arose and the court referred that ques-
ton to a master to ascertain and re-
port whether the bridge belongs to the
railroad company or to a private cor
poration. No report has yet been
made. During all the years that bridge
has been in use, the railroad company
taxing individuals twenty-five cents
per head and shippers 81 for each load
ed car, and five cents per hundred for
less thar a car load of freight for its
use, the average tax rate in Bellalre
has been about 21R per cent. The read
err can readily determine the amount
other taxpayers of Bellaire have had
to put up because of the failure to as
sess this bridge, and now that the omis-
sion has been discovered the injustice
is to be extended as long as patient
courts can be found to allow this cor
poration evade its fair share of the
burden of government.
Republicans are found, and they are
by no means scarce, who look upon
the nomination of Archer for Senator
as a Joke, and many think it a serious
Joke. while his record as a politician
is handled very freely. There will be
some surprises at the November cleo
ton. and not the lest of them, by any
means, await Mr.. Archer.
The matter of the reappraisement OF
lands and town lots for taxation next
wear is attracting attention and is Civ
ing thoughtful men much concern. Real
estate has deprecated in value as a
rule about so per cent. That fact
must be borne in mind by the men
chosen as appraisers. With expendi-
lures on the increase and one-third or
more deducted from the aggregate basis
for taxation, taxes will amount to prac-
teal confiscation. Unfortunately our
constitution, framed and adopted at a