Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-08-21
COMMUNICATED.


briefly, a card published in the last issue
of your paper over the signature of j.
NJ. Mason, stating that "Old Fogy" had
"maiiciOusiy" published "that he car
ried pass while member OF the Leg
islatu-e" ! disclaim any malicious in
tcntion; and only stated, that l was so
Misunderstanding TO vindlcate
those arranged by "Juuius," for accept
ing free passes, by his own acts.
Now Mr.. Mason has taken a great
deal of trouble to publish letter he adj
dressed to Hon. Boggess, dated Dec.
80, 1874, returning pass over the Is.
tS O. II. X. Why did lie not also pub
fish the letter returning the pass over
! the g. & o. r. r.?
The session of the Legislature of 1875
of w. Va, was held at Charleston, and
a pass over the B. &c o. r. r., would
have been of little or no use. The SEES
sion of the Legislature Of 1873 com
menced on the 18th OF January. AT
chat time the OHIO river was frozen over,
and the delegates from the western sec
ton Of the State had to come east, go
out to Charleston, via &. 40. Il. Il. a
large number of the western delegates
came in a body, under the charge OF the
Sergeant Alarms of the House, (Hor-
ner), who had authority to pass all men
bcrs of the Legislature over the railroad
free. Mr.. Mason joined the party at
Uarpers Ferry, and if he did not accept
of this courtesy, all he had TO do was
to say so, and that he paid his fare over
all the railroads during the time he was
a member of the Legislature.
do not regard the acceptance OF
free pass over the railroads in the same
light that "Junius' docs-tor &c says
sthat We need legislation that will break
up free passes; they corrupt our officials
from President of County Court TO the
Governor of the State" We certainly
must have very corrupt officials, to be
so easily bribcd. Mr. Mason further
says, ''there was no controversy between
the people and the railroad at that
time" | here wish 10 correct Nj. Ma
son. At that very session, held at
Charleston, there was law passed to
tax railroads, and as far back as 1872,
the taxing of railroads was a subject OF
dispute and unsettled. The Board OF
Supervisors Of Jefferson county i'll 1872,
compromised with the Is. d Q. II. r.,
! for back taxes to that date. How Mr.
! Mason can say ;here was no controver-
sy at that time, between the railroads and
the people | cannot conceive.
During the years 1915, the subject
of free passes was fully discussed, and
| | have no doubt that this very discus
sion of the subject, was the cause of MIR.
Mason returning his pass. | recoltect
distinctly, of seeing resolution offered
by O. IL. Moifrtt, Esq, as chairman OF
! q committee at large meeting held IN
the southwestern part of the State in
1879, c6ndcmning the practice OF mem
bers Of the Legislature accepting tree
passes from railroads. What cause is
| there Mr.. Editor forall this pickering and
squabblug? Wny,at this late day, charg-
! inc our late representative with imbeclity
and inrficiency? The acts of the Leg
! islature of 1879 will compare very IA
vorably with the acts OF 1879, or any
other session. | have no interest Ill
. this matter, more than any other citizen
OF the county, but | cannot see mhyow
late representatives should be branded
with bribery, trckery and corruption,
that they are to be bought and sold /"
! the interest of Mr.. Camden for our next
! L. S. Senator, and therefore are not
worthy of our suil'ragcs. This whole
sale charge of bribery and corruption
against prominent members OF the dem
ocratic party, is very unwlSe to say the
| least of it.
Mr.. Camden is a stranger TO me, bnt
! | hear it conceded on all sides, that he
has done much for the party, at a time
when the party needed assistance. Mr..
! Camden stands high in his section OF
the State and not breath of SANDER dare
assail his moral character and integrity.
srThe puresttreasure mortal times afford,
Is spo,less reputation"
All admit that Mr. Camden is a man
of business capacity and of fortune.
His interest is closely identified with
the interests of his State-all OF his &C
cumulated wealth lying within its Dor.
ders. do rot wish TO be understood
as advocating the claims of Mr.. Camden
or any Que else for Office; but | do
think it unwise and unjust, to decry our
leading democrats without cause. Let
every member of the party attend the
primary meetings, then and there eX-
press their preferences, without any dis
respect for the preferences OF others;
and after full and free expression OF
opinion, acquiesce checrfully, in the de,
cision of the majority. The people OF
Jefferson county are too intelligent to
be humbugged or bulldozed by any
such appeals as has appeared in your
columns of late Let the combined wis
dom Of the party rule whatever it may
be, and forever silence any vain attempt
TO create discord in our ranks.
OLD FOGY.