Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-09-09
WITH A SHARP STICK.
Senator Morris Cots at tho
Democratic State Platform.
COMPARISONS ARE oDIoUs:


vigorously aud Refers to Some Things
OF tho Democratic Past which Are In
famous History-A stinging Rsbuke to
the Maiigncrs OF Honorable Men--Tho
Infamous Record of Democratic Legis-
istarcs Merely Referred to, hut IL IL
Enough.
Hon. p. w. Morris, editor of Tho
Ritchie Gazette, and for many years n
member of tho West Virginia LegisIa-
ture, and u member OF the last::one, do
votes over column In his issue of Aug.
20 to the Democratic State Platform:
Referring to the planks attacking tho
Republican Legislature and in regard
to the alleged Virginia State debt, he
says:
"The paragraph is filthy lie, outside
Of the bounds of respectable politics,
mnde 80 by its first clause. To attack
tho Legislature for what il did or did
not do, is legitimate politics; but to
charge IL rs whole with being an as
sembly of corrupt spoilsmon is an in
famous and dirty slander. The Gazette
denies that even one member of the late
Legislature was corrupted. 1t will pay
scrced 81 900 for every charge of corrup-
ton against the Republican Legislature
they CAM substantiato, If they will pay
1t $40 for every member of the State
Democratic convention who was being
corrupted by being hauled to IL on n free
pass and by free whisky and free board.
1t admits that the convention contained
many splendid and honorable gentle-
men, but charges that u train load OF
delegates was hauled to it without
charge TO them: so that is not in a posi-
tion TO charge corruption ON anybody or
anything.
"The attempt to drag the school boo,s
question into partisan politics Is toe c'l-
temptible TO notice. Democratic ncl..-
bers OF the Legislature az well as Repub-
hcans nearly all voted for the present
law. There must have been an Ameri-
can Book Company man on this Demo-
cratic committee on resolutions.
"The Gazette regrets at this time it
has not space to compare the record of
tho late Legislature in full, with that of
Democratic Legislatures. The late Re-
publican Legislature was splendid, up
right, industrious working body. It
completed its labors within tho constitu-
tional time limit, and did not wind up
with drunken carousal, but adjourned
decently and in order.
"How is 1t on the othor side? Tho
Gazette does not assail tho motives or
integrity Of whole bodies of men; but
the last Legislature will bear comparison
with its Democratic predecessors for 90
years. More than one case Of corruption
occurred in them. The constitutional
convention OF 1879 was the opening for
a long line Of extravaganza and waste.
The Legislature of 1923 lasted for
months. Enormous printing bills were
paid. Extra sessions have been held.
The writer of this article was member
of the Legislature for eight years in
Democratic times, and there were seven
sessions when there should have been
four. Democratic Legislature, urged
on by polk ical necessity, filched the
Governorship of this State from the man
who was elected. No Democratic Legis-
lature ever wound up without banquet
in which champagne and whisky flowed
as freely as water. On the election of
United States Senator by the Demo-
| cratic Legislature q scene of unrivaled
revelry and debanchery occurred. So
when IL comes to talking of Legislat-
ures-were affairs for nearly "a quarter
of century Of Democratic rule in this
State. This is only general decription,
too, for details would fill pages of
newspaper.
"As to the Virginia debt paragraph, it
answers itself. 1t was wonderful and
thrilling work for the Democratic mi
nority in the House of Delegates, to get
the enormous Republican majorities to
resolve against paying the debt. IL is
just as well TO be honest and fair in this.
Democrats and Republicans alike in
West Virginia are opposed TO the pay
ment of the Virginia debt, and ali that
is necessary TO get a hearty expression is
TO mention the subiect.D