The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-01


Special Dispatch to the 1ntellgencer.
CHARLESTON. W. Va, Jan. 3l-
The first thrust at the fee system of
paying state officials was made to-day
IN the senate. 1t came partly from the
Republican and partly from the Demo-
cratic side, and was opposed by 4 Re-
publican majority. because the motive
appeared to be partisan. The resolu-
ton called upon the secretary OF state
and auditor for a detailed statement as
10 fees collected by them and clerks
employed, and further calling upon the
former for list OF the corporations for
which he IS attorney. There was n
heated discussion. and considerable OF
furry, after which the resolution
was referred to the Judiciary COM
m!ttee.
According TO I leading member OF the
house Of delegates / resolution Is to be
introduced in the house directing the
committee on taxation and finance to
omit from the regular appro-
priat!ons any appropriation for
the payment OF clerks In the Offices
which receive fees. This class of Of
fees practically includes only the Sec
retary OF states and auditors offices,
and as the resolution will originate on
the Democratic side It Is believed that
1t is the former Office which Is particu-
larly aimed at, and that the motive is
no: altogether void Of partisanship.
Whether the motive be partisan or
nor. however, there is undoubtedly q
disposition on the part OF q number of
members. both Republican and Demo-
cratic. TO begin I system OF retrench-
ment In the matter OF fees. 1t Is ar
gued that the fees received by the two
Offices referred to would be sufficient TO
pay the clerk hire. and that the salaries
received by the secretary OF state and
auditor would be sufficient compensa-
tlon.
This contention would probably be
found 10 be unfair, for, at present, both
4 Offices are administered. at least so
FAR as celrks are concerned, on as
Il economical a basis as possible, while
4 the salaries Of the officials are merely
nominal. In the Office Of the auditor
particularly, there Is an immense
as-fuunt OF work to be done and q. grave
responsibility. To summarily cut of
the fees without increasing the salary
would. it seems, be very unjust.
y Democratic member OF the senate
was asked whether the motive was n
retaliation against Mr.. Dawson. He
replied that the motive was sincerely
Il desire TO retrench. But" he add
ed. III Z fair investigation is not made
Into the Morris-kidd contest, ]. Us far
as am concerned personally, will vote
against any appropriation except what
Is necessary For maintaining the hu-
hiahe institutions of the state. Other
iyig. fher.. 10 ct
OF our SIDE 10 hold TIP any appyopria-
ton"
4 Miners Bill.
a measure Of Importance TO the mi
hers OF the state has been introduced in
the senate by Mr.. Lanham, OF Preston
county. It provides that the miners
snaH De paid according to the weight
OF the coal they mine. At present II
Is discretionary with the operators to
pay either by weight or by measure. As
raie. they pay according to the lat
Ter standard, which Is 10 their advau-
taSe. and usually 10 the Disadvantage
OF the miner. The reason fov this ac-
tording 10 the friends OF the bill. is
that, IN most cases. the operators agree
10 pay hy the car, without STIMULATING
now much the car viii contain. Conse-
Rpehtiy, 1t frequently happens thnt a
car which is supposed 10 hold so many
IONS actually holds more chan the num-
Der There Is now 4 law In this state
which seeks 10 o8Ylate this state 6f
auairs by requiring that the caraclty
OF each ear be asCertained and marked
upon u; but for some reason or other
the miners have failed 10 take aIYaR-
n2c OF this law.
Chiei Mine lnsSDcctor Paul. while not
expressing himself as 10 the merits OF
Alr. Lauham's bill. stated that he be-
hevcd such Il law would be unconstltu-
uona!. as 1t would interfere with the
Iisht OF contract. He said this was
held in the case Of It law OF similar
character which was passed by the leg
Stature OF pennsylvania last winter.
II IS expected that u hard fight will
DC Hace on the bill by the operators.
y Tax Bill.
a resolution was introduced In the
house by Mr. Bowman. OF Taylor couu-
IS. which. II 1t gpes through, will COM
pleteiy change the present tax system
's the state, and PIT X on practically
an income tax basis. The rcyofutton
vas referred 20 the judiciary commit
Zee. which vii! consider X. arG, II "a.
forable 10 the innovation suggested
sTboay It In Il bill and report Il 10 the
house FOR passage. The object Of the
measure is to reach that large amour,
II taxable wealth in the form Of boads
,notes and oiher securities ana invest.
m.nts, ag well as salaries,
TIC new measure PROPOSES TO rvlr,
lakes from those enjoying uutax,iblo
annual Incomes or possessing forms IL
invisible wealth. As . means 10 ,hIs
siN. hn committee win consider the ad-
Visibility OF providing for Al. InrGw,
Lax upon all the Incomes exceeding nc.
tua! living expenses or fixed amount
rather than by asscssIn.. It at It's nc.
tina! value as other property. An0thc;
suggestion is the crcatlon OF county
boards OF equalization fol' the purDus,
ot examining anG ..GuaiiZIuG property
assessments, and to report 10 the granl
lGr!cH all violations and cyasions OF III,
assessment laws.
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