Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1888-09-18

Neoiohf taC 4ucLAtatlO4lc VI ~ SOo1ay
against encroachment, the people sgsinst
the perversion of their own powers to their
oppression and harm, and arrested the
tendency to class distinction and mon
opoly.
TBy its honesty, its patriotism and its
unselfish devotion to the cause and pur-
pose of good government, il has confidence
and support of good men everywhere, and
the people demand its continuance. We
heartily endorse the administration of
Grover Cleveland. We endorse the nomi-
nation of Cleveland and Thurman. We
endorse the platform of 1888 adopted by
the National Convention Mt St Louis.
We approve its demand for the relief of
unnecessary taxation and its needless
burdens upon the people, and We pledge
to the standard-bearer IL has given
us our united and hearty support.
We endorse the action Of our
Democratic Senators and Representatives
in Congress. We recall with satisfaction
the wonderful material and political pro-
gress Of our State under Democratic rule.
Eighteen years ago this State looked hack
upon a clouded past and forward to q hope
less future. The Democratic party called
to power by the voice of the people was
confronted or every hand by social disor-
der, political confusion and commercial
depression. The tax gatberer was the re-
lentless taskmaster of impoverished and
DISTINGUISHED communities, labor without
employment or without reward. Vast re-
sources slumbered untouched by the hand
of development. The owe of govern
ment were prostituted to the oppression of
the intelligent and industrious burden
bearers of the State and the enrichment of
an interruptions governing class at the
expense of
PRESCRIBED TAx-PAYINa MASSES
of the people. Thousands of your best
citizens were forbidden to approach the
polls, to sit in a jury box. to bring a suit,
to plead a cause, or to teach a school,. The
infamous proscriptive process which pre-
vailed closed your State 10 the outside
world and filled your highways with hum
dreds of your exiled citizens seeking in
more liberal communities the privileges
and opportunities denied them in the land
of their youth. Your lands were without
purchasers in the markets of the world
and without value save for purposes of tax
alton.
Not a dollar of outside capital came here
to fell your forests, open your mines, or
occupy with railroads the pathways of
Let b official record attest
what the Democratic party has lone TO
relieve you Of the abuses of Republican
rule n to bring to you the blessings of q
high civilization. At the last census un-
der Republican rule, hat of 1870, the pop
of this State was in round num-
bers, 440, 600. You now have within your
borders more than 800, 900 people. Al the
State election held prior to the census
of 1870 there were cast 49, 5e9 votes. In
1887 there were reported in this State 49,
272 tithables. As these reports are always
below the number of voters il is clear hat
you have under Democratic rule near $780,
600 voters, as against lees than so, 900
when the Republicans were in control. A
few sample counties will best establish and
enforce the comparison.
In the county of Nicholas under R.pub-
rule, 56 persons voted at the State
election of 1888; under Democratic rule
there are in the county L III voters and in
the county of Greenbrier AT persons voted
the election under Democratic rule.
There are in that county :, 44S voters. IN
Cabell county 517 persons voted at that
election; the county has 1881 voters. In
Lincoln county there were 1873 voters. She
now 2.015 voters. Logan had 1853
voters. She has now 1879. Hardy had
312. She has o l $50. Hampshire had
$50. She has now 3,349. Jefferson had
1913. She has now 1902. Under Repub-
rule there was assessed in this State
for taxation railroad property to the
of 81, 362, s44. Under Democratic
rule the railroad assessment of 1887 was
SIS, 1856, $50.
In 1870 you had five railroad companies,
operating nearly 400 miles of road. In
1887 you have % companies, operating
1,U37 miles of railroad. In 1870 you had
z, 405 school teachers instructing 162, 600
children in alb school houses, at q cost
of 81, 701, 1874 80. In 1887 you lave 5,0s9
teachers, instrueting 249, 600 children in
4,5S7 school houses at q cost of 81, 087,-
674.70. In the last full school year under
Republican rule, the distributable school
fund was S14s, $685..
For the year 1893 your distributable
school fund reaches the enormous pro-
portion Of $3.50, 564 4s. Under Republi-
can rule development was practically ar
rested, and in the great items of coal and
coke, the production, if any, found no
place in public statistics. The last pub
iished report of the Mine Inspector shows
a production of coal and coke in West