Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-06-04

The Board of County Commissioners
is divided upon the proposition to in
crease the levy from so to 55 cents on
the 800 valuation. At yesterday 5
meeting the matter was not consid-
cred, but it will be the principal item
OF business at the adjourned meeting TO
be held on Wednesday. Mr.. Gutman' 5
proposition is supported, it is under
stood, by Mr.. Danner, of Washington
district, and the three country mem
bers. Messrs. McGregor. Higgins,
Byrne, Moore and Fritz are opposed to
the increase.
The proposed increase will be con-
sidered tonight. at the meeting Of the
finance committee. Mr.. Gutman is the
only one of the FIVE members of the
committee who is favorable to ths IN
crease, and the committee will repor.
an ordinance fixing the levy at fifty
cents. 1t is possible that Mr.. Gutman
may present a minority report, but
more probable that motion to amend
will be made in the open meeting. The
membership of the roads and bridges
committee is strongly favorable 10 the
increase. While the Board appears to
be evenly divided, it is believed that
the levy will remain at fifty cents.
President H. p McGregor holds that
the increase is not necessary at this
time, and would impose burden upon
taxpayers which conditions do not JUS
tify.
MIR. Gutman is mistaken in saying
that the total appraised value of real
estate in Ohio county is the same or
less than i; was before the last valua-
ton. There has been an increase. after
the cut by the Board of Public Works,
of s2,O00,000 in round figures, which
means an increase of about $4,000 in
tax collections.
For many years the Board has been
appropriating more money for Richland
and Liberty districts than they pay in
taxes. Under the circumstances, it
strikes me as little cheeky to abolish
tolls on all the county roads, and then
ask for an increase in the levy.
"If the increased revenue is still in
sufficient, the Board can make both
ends meet by practicing economy. One
place to commence would be upon the
contingent poor fund. | would not adj
vocate Withholding county aid, in de-
serving cases, but there are many cases
where aid is extended. that the law
does not contemplate giving aid The
poor in the city last year cost more
than the county infirmary, with it's
hundred inmates.
Another place we could economic
would be on the appropriations for
roads and bridges. The bridges are
now in good shape, and we don't have
to build any, with the exception of
those which were washed out by the
recent cloudburst We could spend Just
half the sum which is appropriated for
stone, without impairing the roads and
bridges. Besides, there are a great
many roads in the county that are very
expensive, and are a convenience to a
very limited number of persons. There
is too much politics in the matter of
improving county roads.
by practicing economy in the ap-
preparations for these two funds. 1t will
not be necessary to increase the levy.
If there were an increase it ought 10 be
for the purpose of making improve
ments asked for Clerk Robertsons Of
fee. and for paying off the indebtedness
of the county jail. We owe $4,000 on
the jail, drawing interest at five per
cent, and that debt ought to be wiped
out