davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
MACHINE REPRESENTATION

Mr.. II. 4. Deming recently dis
cussed before the Nineteenth Centu-
nv Club. in New York, the represen-
tative character of our Legislatures.
He contended that Legislators did
not represent the people. The rule
to-day" said he, sis small men in
public place and great men in pri-
yate station. Can any government
hope to endure when the foremost of
its citizens are not engaged in the
conduct of public affairs? We have
lasted 100 years, but that doesn't
make it certain that we shall last
another hundred years. All the ex-
amples of the past and all the illus
trations of the present, like France,
Mexico, and the republics of Cen
trail America are against the perma-
nency of republics. The theory of
our foretathers was that the chiefs
OF the government we're to be the
representative OF the popular will.
That was the spirit which. animated
our Constitution and the conduct of
our Government in the early times.
1t was honorable then to be in poll
tics and TO be a politician. and the
greatest careers were public careers.
Our great men then were public
men. To-day our great men are bu
siness men.
who dominates members of the
Legislature: The people? No.
Does that require proof? No. The
managers of parties are not the lead
ers CT the country to-day. Who in
New York of either party fills the
place of Seward or OF Marcy? Why
is this? 1t is not because people do
not take an interest in parties. We
do take an interest We attend the
primaries. We do not reform the
primaries. We cannot because the
machinery of party organization has
attained to such perfection and has
become so complicated that no one
can attend to such machinery who
has anything else to attend to. Con-
sequently the political leaders are
mere managers of machines and the
nominees they put forward are ma
chine. made men. These men are
not representatives of the people.
Their salary as Legislators does not
pay their election expenses, and the
result is they become legislative
strikers.
"Our Government is still an eX
pertinent. Just as in the olden time
the struggle between the masses and
the classes is going on. To-day the
people are the masses and the politi-
clans are the classes. And just as
surely as IL the past the masses
have ultimately overcome the class
&c, just so certainly, to-day, we can
look forward to the time when the
people Will overcome the politicians.
AS we look back we see that NUM-
cipal reform has gone forward Ger
tainly, il surely, and electoral re-
form now presses upon public atten-
ton. Low as the ebb has been, the
tide is turning, and rising fast. The
hour is at hand when the dam which
the politicians have so laboriously
built will be swept away"
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
STRONGER THAN HIS PARTY.

All trace of definite opposition to
the denomination of Mr.. Cleveland
has disappeared. There is no doubt
as to the issue upon which he will
make the canvass. He could not
change the issue upon which he will
make the canvass. He could not
change the issue if he would and he
exhibits no desire to do so. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether the poll.
ticians who are now in front will de-
velop the courage demanded by the
situation. Cleveland's strength lies
in the fact that the masses believe
that be has courage enough to defy
popular delusion. His veto of the
pauper pension bill taught the people
that he would not truckle to sense
less clamor and his message on the
tariff convinced them that he was
not afraid Of responsibility. For the
first time since Andrew Jackson We
have for President a man stronger
than his party and the rank and file
delight to follow such a leader.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18

The people Of this State with one
voice demanded equal taxation.
They demanded that personal prop
erty owned by a corporation should
be listed and taxed precisely rs per-
sonal property owned by an individ-
ual is listed and taxed. This mat
ter was pressed on the last Legisla-
ture, and yet nothing was done. A
member of the house said to the
writer:
Don't 90 to taxing capital; show
it favOrs; give it advantages; help
it to make larger profits. Such
policy will develop the State"
This gentleman is a capitalist and
labors under the delusion that the
development of State means the
concentration of wealth in the hands
Of few individuals. Strange as it
may seem, the absolute nonsense Of
this capitalist had more weight than
the arguments of the few men pres
ent who were at heart in favor of
equal taxation. As has been re-
peatedly shown in these columns,
Agriculture pays SO per cent. of the
revenue from taxes on property, and
yet the law is not amended. The
following astonishing figures were
recently furnished to one of the Vir-
ginia papers by a writer who has
evidently been careful to gather ac-
curate information:
During the past seven years the
assessed value Of real and personal
property in the counties has Shrunk
S21, $780, ASS; while during the same
time city property has appreciated
500, 721, 1888; vet the cities and towns
pay into the treasury of the State
only S442,993, while the counties
pay 81, 239,6Ol
These figures seem incredible to
those who have not Investigated this
subject We have not present access
to the data for West Virginia, but
We believe the condition here is even
worse; this we do know. that the
so-called exemption law of this State
exonerates $7j of commercial prop
erty for 81 of agricultural property
that is released from taxation.
Is it not time for the body of the
people to rally and elect to the Leg
islature men who will right this
gross wrong? Why is it, we find
such exertiOn to exclude from the
Legislature the only men who are
always employed by their neighbors
in emergencies which require brains,
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
INTELLIGENT APPRECIATION.

WASHINGTON, GA, May 6.
To EDITOR DEMoCRAT-I see so
much pointed truth, bold and out
spoken, and so much vigorous con-
densation of wrongs which it is con-
ventional to pass over and say moth
ing of, that l wish to thank you for
the honest conduct of your paper.
Yours, 5. B.
This is from a gentleman we have
never met. Georgians, who know
whereof they speak, tell us that he
has done more by his writings than
any other man in the State to guide
public opinion in right directions.
For ourselves we had rather have
such recognition of our work than
all the applause money can buy.
The above is only one of the many
letters we receive Of the same inn
port, and these letters convince us
that the time will come when the
rank and file will estimate at some
thing like their value journals which
are independent Of railroad infu-
ence, of Federal patronage, and Of
millionaire politicians.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18

Do not the people see that these men
are excluded because powerful pri
vate interests wish to prevent any
amendment of laws, which rob the
many in order to enrich the few?
The people ofthis State demanded
with one voice law to prevent the
secret unlawful practices of railroad
managers. A bill was INTRODUCED in
the last Legislature which would
give to local traffic the same protec-
ton that Congress has secured to
commerce between the States. The
railroad lobby assembled; the rail
road attorneys made speeches; the
politicians whispered together, and
the measure was defeated. So far
as we have heard or seen, this paper
stands alone in its effort to make the
people understand subjects of this
character. We have done what we
could to provoke discussion. We
opened these columns to any one
who could suggest single objection
to the bill that Our Legislature re-
fused to pass; and not man has
been found who dared say a word.
The railroad attorneys said:
The railroads are doing exactly
right. They were formerly very
wicked, but of late they have all be-
come Christians, and there is moth
ing that any one can complain of.
We answered, IF they are doing
right, why object to the law" No
one made reply.
Not very long after the Legisla-
ture adjourned Mr.. Wright publish
ed his letter proving conclusively
that the Chesapeake & Ohio has
been, and is, discriminating between
shippers to an extent infinitely
greater than any one suspected. 1t
is a significant fact that the politi-
clans have been perfectly silent
about Wright's letter.
The railroad lobby which sur
rounded our last Legislature said:
If this law is passed, it will pre-
vent railroad development.
Our reply was,-that similar leg
islation by Massachusetts, and Geor-
gia and other States had not retard-
ed railroad enterprise, but on the
contrary, the States where such laws
exist were the very ones in which
the railroad development was most
active. To this no one attempted
any answer.
But the true reason for the oppo-
sition to the measure leaked out
The railroad managers wanted to
prevent the passage of this law until
they had elected a governor who
would appoint as railroad commits
sioners the men selected by them,
These corporations do not object to
any law, provided they can select
the officers who are to execute it.
These things are so plain to us
that we cannot understand why they
are not comprehended by the body
of the people.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
For Councilman.

MR.. EDITOR: VIII you be kind
WI enough To announce ar. II. s.
Hughes for reelection TO the Council 10
the First Ward. He has made
an excellent Representatives. careful or
the interests OF every citizen, giving an
intelligent consideration OF all the du-
ties devolving upon h.m-cspecially as
chairman Of the Finance Committee.
We hope he Will he reelected by vote
that will be credit 10 the Ward.
April =, 50. MANY VOTERS.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18

The Supreme Court at Washing
ton has refused rehearing in the
telephone case Justice Miller said
that as none of the three Justices,
who had concurred with Chief JUS
tice Waite in upholding the validity
of Bells patent, had requested re-
hearing, and that as it was the set
tied rule of the Court not TO grant
rehearings unless this were done,the
application mnst be refused.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
CH1RLES E. RENlNGER.

be contrived whereby the desired re-
suit may be attained. In either event
the Commissioners are so FAR i'm
pressed with the necessities of the
situation as to feel justified in call
ing attention to this important sub
ject in the brief manner here adopt
cd. Discussion will. az any rate, re-
suit, and from this alone much good
NAV come.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
The President has appointed Elk
Congressman Robert B. Roosevelt Of
New York Minister to Holland.

The New York State Convention
has appointed a delegation to the St.
Louis Convention which is unani-
nous for Cleveland's denomination.
Among the delegates are r. p. Flow
er, Robert B. Roosevelt and Roger
A. Pryor.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
For Mayor.

MIR. Please announce rJr
vi the office of Mayor Of Charlestown
our esteemed townsmaD, Mr.. Gnstsy
Brown. He is a public-spirited citizen,
has served the town in its Council for
several terms, has been Chairman Of the
efficient Mayor.
April q, 'sS. MANY VOTERS.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
Mr.. FOOL THEM QUICK.

AQrOlt SdmOleIs, IuOSc WhO hlaNS
a living by cheating at cards, dis
play wonderful ingenuity to deceive
and entrap the fools they rob. A
recent device deserves notice. An
innocent looking finger ring has
small steel point on its under rim.
While handling the cards dealt to
him the gambler rricks them and
thus makes a mark which, while
nearly invisible, is easily read by
his practised touch as the cards are
shuffled and dealt by him. While
persons engaged in legitimate en-
ployment are working and thinking
about their business, the gambler,
in some secluded room, is practising
his art so that he may prick the
cards when the game opens without
being detected or suspected. 1t is
evident that q gambler will beat an
unprofessiOnaI player. So it is in
politics. We cannot shut our eyes
to the fact that sharpers outwit those
who are trying to thwart the schemes
to plumber tue unorganized masses.
We cannot shut our eyes to the fact
that there is rapidly growing up in
this country a well defined order of
men who for hire spend nights and
DAYS in some secluded room devising
methods to prevent the ballot-bOx
from expressing an enlightened pop
ular judgment At present these
political bunco- steerers are ashamed
of their calling and it is not as yet
recognized as distinct branch OF
trade, but it is already an open
secret among the more prominent
managers of party tactics that there
is quite a number of shrewd, unscru-
pulous. active men who do nothing
and think of nothing,-eXeept how
to prevent wise, honest and impair
tial legislation. 1t requires little
stretch of the imagination to predict
that within the next few years the
eye will become accustomed to the
following advertisement in the news
papers:
JOHN FOOLTHEMQUICK,
Expert Manager Of Conventions and
Elections,
OFFICE-QUEEN STREET.
Private Entrance, II King ST., Wheel
ing, West Va.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
Fish! Fish (!

ME are receiving FRESH FISH
w daily, and will sell them az low "a
the market affords. STRUCK HER
KING In any quantity desired.
aprH. 'ss. ALDER < WHTTMORE.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18

THE name OF DR.. VIM. Neil is an
i nounced as a candidate for the Office
of Councilman at the solicitation OF
many voters of the Sd Ward.
April y, 'sS.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
For Councilman.

Please announce Mr.. VIM. II. Moore,
yr., for Councilman in the 2nd Ward.
He will receive the support OF
May 18th. MANY VOTERS.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
STATE DEVELOPMENT.
From Report by the Tax Commission.
IMPORTANCE OF STATE CONTROL.

u
IMPORTANCE OF STATE CONTROL.
We lay it down as proposition
susceptible ofvery strong, if not con-
vincing, argument, that the railway
highways, not less than the turn
pixies and other public roads, should
be owned and controlled by the
State or subject to its jurisdiction.
In such case the determination OF
the rates of transportation are who'll.
" under the control OF the owners
and shippers of freights, through
their representatives in the Legisla-
ture, and q tariff of freights in con-
sonance with their geographical To-
cation absolutely secured. Or
course other roads than those owned
by the State must regulate their
charges by those fixed by legislation
for their comprehensive State
roads-and this advantage alone is
a very potent reason for the con-
struction of such system Of roads
as here proposed. Other important
reasons why the State should build
and own these roads are found in
the fact that the original cost Of
construction is greatly cheapened
because the public credit enables
the State to borrow funds at much
lower rates Of interest than can in
dividuals or incorporated companies.
Thus the fixed charges being kept
at minimum, the charges for
freights and fares are at the lowest
possible rates. Bot more important
than all of these advantages is that
the owners Of the soil adjacent to
the roads will reap the advantage of
the rise in the value which their
construction always brings.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
THE PROMOTERS BUY WILD LAND.

III Dtl NlisD isaNDs
At present our people depend en-
tirely upon foreign capital to build
our railroads, and those who furnish
it usually embrace in their scheme,
as a condition precedent to the con-
struction of the road, the acquisi-
ton, either by gift or purchase, Of
the most valuable timber and min
eral lands along the route, so that
the development caused by the
building of the road inures to them
selves, and not to the original own
ers of the soil. In such cases, where
the lands are purchased, the owners
receive in consideration for them
only the "wild land price for their
estates, and this is SO insignificant.
as compared with the developed
value, as to produce only a very
meagre sum. If the State builds
the roads they will be the means Of
enriching the people to the extent
OF the developed value of the lands
involved. is therefore practically
the difference to them between one
dollar per acre-the wild land price
and fifty to one thousand dollars
per acre as the developed land value,
and the aggregate amount involved
amounts to an almost fabulous sum.
In one method there is comparative
poverty, in the other comparative
riches to our citizens.
1t is estimated that the building
Of six hundred miles of narrow
gauge railroad, following the plan
suggested, will accomplish the end
desired and be for the present suf
ficient to largely develope the sec
tions now lacking this species Of
transportation; this to be followed
presently with other sections ofroad,
in the way of tributaries, such as
the development this may cause, will
render necessary. The cost of con-
struction, aside from that of right of
way, which it is believed will be con-
tributed free, need not exceed the
rates of eight thousand dollars per
mile, or say five millions of dollars.
The vast amount Of traffic, which
such a system of public improve
ment will induce and developc, it is
thought will enable the State TO
lease the plant for sufficient to pay
the interest on its cost and to pro-
vide sinking fund that will ulti-
mately discharge the original loan
for construction. 1.-THE people deem
it proper to cause the State to en-
bark in this work it will be necessa-
ny to amend the Constitution so as
to permit them to authorize such
loan as may be necessary if not, it
may be that some other method may
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
For Councilman.

MR.. ROBERT III. PHILLIPS, having.
WI made an efficient Councilman from
the 81 Ward, will receive the support of
many voters for reelection.
April u, 'sS. MANY VOTERS.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
INVENTION

s1ul1mgaEE has reyoIutionized
MupuVIIIhI the world during the
VIII / luU last half century.
~ IN kOU Not least among the
wonders OF inventive
progress is method and system OF
work that can be performed all over the
country without separating the workers
from their homes. Pay liberal; any one
can do the work; either sex, young or
old; no special ability required. Capital
not needed; you are started free. Cut
this out and return 10 us and we will
send you.free. something OF great value
and importance 10 you, that will start
You in business, which will bring YOU in
more money right away. than anything
else in the world. GrGnd outfit free. Adj
dress True Il Co., Augusta, Maine.
febI7,'ss.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18

The cottage suffers more than the
palace from incompetent legislation.
West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-05-18
References:

Robt. Millionaire, Pres't. of the L., p.
* :. X. X.
Henry Gold, Pres't. of the Wheat
Trust Company.
William Silver, Pres't. of the Farmers
Association.
Thomas Rich, Pres't. of the Mechan-
les Reliance.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-11
True ReillOfse.
Editor Mirror:


l was very much impressed with
PheniX's article on "Remorse" in The
MIRROR of 21st inst. and while | feel that
Phoenix has written a great deal that is
true. yet l cannot help saying that l think
he is either ignorant of the subject, or that
he is morbidly prejudiced against all who
profess to experience genuine repentance
for their past lives. | sincerely trust that
Phoenix will take my criticism in the spirit
in which it is given. and not think that l
am opposing his views Oh account of
'pnching Shoes" but that l simply differ
with him in opinion. In the first place
indOrse his first statement regarding people
who never repent while on the 1.-THE high
rounds of the ladder" only [ do not believe
that EVERYONE waits until they meet dire
calamity before reforming. Those who
experience this feeling while enjoying the
frult OF lll-gOtten gain are no doubt the eX-
ceptlOnal ones, and instances of reformation
from this source are quite rare. The
reason is too perceptible to any one and
needs no explanation. BE sure your sins
will find you out" was written by one who
was better and wiser than any man who
lives tO-udy. IL mas Deon nanOeQ down
from generation to generation, and, like
most biblical warnings, is rarely needed.
1t is not always the man who is Gagged who
earnestly reforms. We all know there are
many, even the majority of cases, perhaps,
who repent being caught. but not of their
sins. But when one experiences remorse
(Webster's. not Ph9niX's) it is then that he
feels weight of guilt upon him, and it
gives him courage to look at the situation
sQuarely, and though he may never ac-
knowledge it to others. yet he will confess
in his own heart that he is justly punished
Instead of characterizing such man a cow
ard, l give him credit for possessing the
most essential attribute to true manliness.
That man will not repent while success
full in his ventures is by no means criter-
on to 60 by in saying he is hypocrite if he
processes that feeling after he is made to
suffer for them. Indeed, l am surprised
that one of our most sensible writer's should
adopt this view, and the whole subject is
handled in manner quite unlike Ph9nix's
previous subjects. have seen great
many men in my time. who. although they
never wore striped clothes. yet they gained
their sustenance by very questionable
means; but have never yet come in con-
tact with the man who, if he were to give
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-11
NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND.

1t is never too late to mend
But its best to begin to-day.
For a rip or tear in wreck will END,
And stitch in time will pay.
Though it's never too late to mend.
The longer we daily and wait,
The tougher the job, and the harder to bend
Is the will that is left till late.
But it may be too late with age.
When the habit has mastered the will;
The tatters of passion and shreds of age
VIII yield to no human skill.
1t is safe to assume the reverse
OF this 'never too late to mend,''
For what goes forever from bad to worse,
In worse must finally end.
A character tattered and torn
Can only be patched at the best;
And habits pursued till they're threadbare won
We cannot conceal like a vest.
The longer we go at loose ends,
The harder to gather them in;
As Indifference ever to looseness tends,
So folly may end in sin.
How long we may venture to wait,
l, really, should not like to say;
But for fear it may be forever too late,
1t is better to mend to-day.
Edward A. BOyden.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-11

Zeke-Say. Uncle Nose. yo' know my
brudder Sam. wOt set himself up as s'ciety
gem'n? Well. he's don gone bin rested TO-
stealin' OBJ a suit of clothes.
Uncle MOse-Well. if he amt de most
ignerantest nigger eber seed! Why didn't
he buy a suit and nebber pay fo it. just like
de white s'ciety gem'n dO?-Life.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-11

To excel others is a proof of talent. but
to know when to conceal that superiority is
a greater proof of prudence.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-11

And because We are sons, God hath sent
forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.
crying, Abba, Father.-Gal iv.. 6.