Year: 1867

- re" words About Stale Taxation,
Editors IlteiEigencer:


OF all the subjects of Legislation, no
one Is perhaps so embarrassing mud at
the same time of such importance to
those affected by the enactment OF laws,
as that OF the finances OF IA State. To


make false step in this direction is to
disturb the harmonious relations OF the
body polite, TO Oppress instead OF
benefit the people, and to retard the
exercise and deVelopement of those la
tent energies in communities upon
which their welfare and happiness, at
TINS age, so much depend. This NAV
be remarked as having a peculiar APP
pIication 10 the conditions of a govern
ment, Republican in form. So consti-
tuted is The mass of mankind that to
apply anything more than a
mere stipend from their indi-
yidual accumulations to de
fray the expenses of the political ma
chinery, is often to cause them to wa
yer, then TO change, and finally to
view the establishment OF line of pol
icy, or the enforcement of grand
principle, from an entirely different
stand point. Herein consists the great
danger 10 Republican institutions, for
the people VINO are, and ought so TO be,
the masters OF the situation, are some
times In danger of being blinded by
the false lights of the peIf-seeking
wrecker, and misled by the hoarse de-
ceptive, shouts of charlatan foes. Here
in, consists, likewise, the skill of true
craftsmanship, SO to adapt the meas
ures OF financial moment, to the wants,
views aud capacity of the people, that
there VIII be The harmony of private in
terest and public good, that alone con-
stltute the basis of successful govern
Inent, and without which prosperity is
not to be attained. II the burdens OF tax
alton. and If ra he hania1 that IN
a greater or less extent all taxes are
burdensome, exceed that bound of pro-
priety wherein individual interests are
affected, beyond that balancing point
at which the public veal is supposed to
rest, In the determination OF any given
question, then, indeed, will the balance
OF power be thrown from one scale to
the other, ana the party in power, thus
assuming TO act FOR the whole people,
VIII tind that they have been weighed
IN the balance and found wanting


These principles were recognized by
the foundations of our gallant young
State, which, aside from those great
questions pending IN the conflict which
witnessed its birth-those great Ques-
tious ofloyalty to freedom and devo-
ton to certain sacred human rights,
was evidenced by the care with which
they liked almost every branch of gov
ernmeutal expenditure, by e1 press lin
itation, in the organic law of the State,
They also guarded the interests of the
people by provision against the sub
scription by The legislature to the stock
OF internal improvement companies,
from which they had groaned for long,
long years in the old State. The object
OF these provisions is uumistakable. It
was 10 induce the people, and justly
so, TO accept the new state, as boon
much to be desired, because it relieved
them not only from rebel alliances and
RfinIties, but from the danger of be-
coming again subject to the great over
shadowiug taxing power OF East Yir-
ginis, which lad Kept the people of the
west in state of vRssalage to the tax
gatherer-


In accepting the new State under thai
constitution, the people of West vir-
ginia have expressed their solemn fat
against e1travagaut legislation. To q
greater or less extent the par
! y in power in this State is now
on trial before the people on
this subject of taxation.


we are IN transition period between
Z the state OF passion, provoked by fierce
Z war; and the not less difficult manage.
ment incident TO = state of subsidine
! turmoil II a mistake should be com
( mitted now it Is irTeparable, for no peo-
I pie will long near the rule OF any party
1 which fails to practice economy, wher
I that virtue becomes question Of actua
existence. The people recognize th'