Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-12-15
HON. GEO. F. EVANS
Talks of His Candidacy for Speaker
and Other Matters.

lhc deleSdte-eiecl 10 the legislature
from this county are pushing his
candidacy for the speakership vigor-
ously. and have strong hopes that he
will be given the honor. Mr.. Evans
talked interestingly today regarding
his candidacy and matters Of state
moment that will come before the leg
islature. Asked regarding his chances
for being the next speaker. he replied;
Il am losing no sleep because of
II at question, still have good APP
petite, and am able to consume three
square meals day. | suppose the
delegates, when they assemble at
Charleston, will select the man they
think best fitted for the position, re-
gardless of the wishes of any one in
dividual, be he a candidate or not.
This is time when the office should
seek the man. Naturally, if should
be elected. should be highly gratified
as it has long been my ambition to be
the speaker Of the house of delegates
of this great and growing state; yet
am not so foolish as to suppose for
an instant that the party will be ruin
ed, or even crippled, if | am not selec-
ted, for the legislature contains many
men who are in every way qualified
to preside. don't propose to jump
off of the band wagon, even if they
won't let me beat the bass drum.
II have however, every reason to
feel satisfied with the assurance of
support that have received from all
parts of the state
''Will Mr.. Dawsons candidacy for
the clerkship interfere with your
chances ?"
II think not Why should /? Mr.
Dawson lives nearly two hundred
miles from my home, and besides, his
successful management as chair,
man of the state committee should en-
title him to be considered as candi
date at-large. have not heard thai
his canvass has interferred with the
chances of preferment Of the member
from Green county in the Pennsylvan
ia general assembly; why should il
with mine, since the Green county
statesman lives but few miles from
Kingwood, Mr.. Dawson's homer
Have You decided on your senator
ial preference ?"
Personally, prefer Mr.. Elkins, bu
it is not a question as to who is my
personal choice. The people whom
represent are unit for him, and if
am to reflect their desires. there is but
one thing to do-vote for Mr.. Elkins o.
resign my seat And as like. him
equally as well as l enjoy representing
my own people, shall gladly vot'
to make him the successor Of Hon
Johnson n. Camden
"How about the alleged West Vir
ginia debt p
81 shall favor the payment Of sucf
sum only as shall be adjudged due by
the supreme court ofthe United States
But whatever we do owe, if anything
it is due to Virginia, and not to hold
ers of the so-called West Nirgini;
certificates, or the agents or assigns
OF the owners"
"Do you consider it wise to increase
the school tax at the coming session ?
"Most decidedly not, though l be
lieve in everything that will upbuild
our educational system without un
justly burdening the people. Thi
era of depression, however, is the tim
for decrease rather than an increas
of the already heavy burdens of TIL
people. Our party has made its cam
paign largely on the question Of low
ering the immense state taxes, and
am very much averse to increaSin,
them at this time on any Dretext
Should it be done, l fear it will b
many years before the people vii
= again trust legislation in our hands
If it can be be done, ain in favor c
reducing the state taxes, at least 2
per cent, always provided that it vii
not cripple the present administrator
for l am not one of those partisan
who would injure our institutions witt
deficiency when the state govern
ment is in Democratic hands, for TIL
purpose of scoring political point.
do you think the state can con
stitutionally be redistricted ?"
"On that question: am partisan
and thoroughly in favor of undoins
the illegal and unconstitutional ger
rymander of the Democrats, and il
restoring to the people their stolel
rights. Moreover, l have plan tina
will undoubtedly stand the most Sc
we're legal test, and which will effect
ually settle the question. For sew,
eral reasons. however, | shall reServ,
it until the proper time But rest as
sured of one thing, the gerrymande1
will be broken, and legally broken
too"
Should the session OF the legisla
ture be extended beyond the constitu
tional limit"
mo. If I am elected speaker o.
the house, and can direct the matter
the general appropriation bill will b.
passed before the first of February
Notwithstanding the fact that vas
amountof work must be done, bypromp
effort and concerted action we can
readily transact it in fortv-fve days
adjourn and go home with the approx
al of our constituents, and with thu
assurance that, having done SO well
the people will desire to continue The
Republican party in power"