Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-09-10
Prom he Fairmout b,aer.
Inn trason,s :. Democrat

We desire to call attention TO a paper
that aspires to be the organ OF the DEM
ocracy of West Virginia; that assumes Tor
itself all the disinterested patriotism and
virtue ofthe press of this State; that stands
ready TO decry and denOunce every journal
which differs from its judgment and opinion
mon matters connected with the men and
measures of the Democratic party; paper
which deliberately falsifies and distorts facts
for purposes of It's own and endeavors TO
cast a stigma upon the actions of all who
will not ioin it in an insane crusade against
men who have been trusted by their party
with high and honorable positions. ltneed
scarcely be said that we refer TO Mr.. >. Nj.
Nasonis Charlestown Democrat; and IN say
inc this we do not wish 10 be understood as
directing to that distinguished citizens strict.
ures upOn Democrats who enjoy oihclal
bonors and distinctions except so far as
they prove detrimental to the party, though
we mnst insist that some of these are i'll
timid unfounded and unwise. But when
Mr. Mason asperses all others whose views
differ from his own, and denounces them as
the paid servants and organs OF cliques
and rings employed to deceive the public
for sinister motives, a due regard for decent
Journalism compels us TO show him and his
motives up in their true color, that his state
ments may not injuriously affect either our
party organization or the party press.
Mr. Mason stands to-day as the paid at
torney of a syndicate Of capitalists which
demands of West Virginia that she pay
one,third of the Virginia debt, nearly Slo,-
OOO GOO With plausible ingenuity he ar
ones the question of taxation, aud insists
Thai NOT more than one-half OF our taxable
values are now assessed for purposes OF tax
alton. The undiscerning might not at first
GLANCE Observer connection between these
two tactS. 6ut nefc IS the evidence OF MS
peculiar astuteneSs. He publishes news
naper toeducate the people" his language
on the subject of taxation. lie knows that
in the present financial condition OF the
STATE. he can have no hope for the assump-
ton Of any part of the debt, the payment
of which would not only gfau!y his employ
ers but enrich him. Hence he must edu-
cate the people to pay more taxes that a
surplus NAV be created in the State Ireasu-
w. When thatsurpms is created, how easy,
bv appeals 70 eGGity and honor, to vote 1t
into the pockets of the syndicate and hlm-
self He has recently written to gentlemen
i'm ,his county asking names of 90 or more
citizens here who could probably be induced
by free subscription to read his paper, IN
order that he may send it to them gratis.
Isanv one 50 ignorant rs to suppose that an
individual can afford to print large circu-
lstion of a paper and distribute 1t free who
has no Interior motives 10 subserye? The
education of the people may be free now,
but under Mr.. Mason's scheme they would
ultimately pay dearly for their schooling.
But if he were disposed to simply push
his syndicate scheme and tax folly, his Ell
forts might be overlooked for they would,
undisturbed, prove abortiye; but when IN
the line of his deeply laid plans, he attempts
treacherously 70 sow discOrd and diSsenSlons
into the Democratic ranks, whatever the pre-
text he may employ, he invites upon himself
the scorn and contempt of every man who
cherishes the principles of his party. That
| he Is deliberately endeayOring to do this eV-
cry issue Of his paper clearly shows. we say
| deliberately, because we believe that his az
| tacks upon public men and upon Democratic
newspapers are intended as part oil ma
/ tured plan tOsOw dissatisfaction IN our ranks
/ As bv discussions and divisions IN the Dem
| ocratic party and by appeals to preJudices
through ignorance he hopes to secure sur
I fcient number of members OF the next Leg
islature who will be his plant tools, not only
| to elect himself or one OF his copartners III
/ his schemes TO the Senate, but also to pro-
/ vide for the payment of the syndicate deOt.
/ MIR. Mason is no fool and 1t Is not wise 10
underrate his ability for dcYilment. lie
/ knows that the policy OF the Democratic
party is against the assumption OF any part
of the Virginia debt, and that with solid
and united party under the leadership OF
/ honest and reputable men he could scarcely
obtain "a hearing. much less favorable action,
upon his plan 10 enrich himself and his en-
piovers at the expense of the taxpayers OF
/ the State. Hence his scheme l. 10 break
down the influence OF men in the party VINO
stand i'm his way 10y open attacks or covert
| inslnuations, play upon prejudlces by dema-
| gOg.cal appeals, form combinations with the
/ opposition where it Is possible TO gam any
advantage. aud by energetic action and ma,
neuyeriug amidst the apathy and gener
/ lukewarmness of an of year, capture enough
members from both parties whom he can ca
! jole or buy TO make the execution OF his
/ plans easy and certain.
/ Ii will not do to dismiss this matter as an
undertaking of such magnitude as to be i'm
possible of execution. 1t must be remem-
bered that back of Mr. Mason is large ano
powerful Combination of capitalists who
! have Slj.O0O,OO0 at stake and that all The
appliances which mOneyed corporations Sc
often use to corrupt Legislatures will be re-
sorted to at the proper time for the further
ance of this scheme The first stage in the
game is now in progress. Can any one still
doubt what Mr.. Mason's education OF th'
people" through the free distribution of hun
dreds of his papers in the State means?
In this exposure of Mr.. Mason's plans
we are not actuated by any special sympa
thy for gentlemen whom he has seen fit t
misrepresent and place in a false attitude
before the Democracy of the State; at thu
proper time and in the proper way, the PEG
pie themselves will decide as to the merits
of the gentlemen who come before them FOL
official preferment. But we do insist tina
no tolerance should be shown by Democrats
To any individual or combination of indi
yidual- who seek through interested motive
aud by glazing misrepresentation to diSor
game the party sud make its downfall thu
instrument for the advancement of thei