Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-03-06
A COM PARIS0N
OF the Conditions in West Virginia
When the Democrats We're in Con-
troll and Since the Republican Leg
iSlature Took Hold.
To The Editor Of the Register.

To the Editor Of the Register.
PIT. Pleasant. w. Va. March 5.-'The
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette Of
Thursday, February 9th, contained an
interview with Senator Scott, of your
city. in which he spoke of Mckinley
being the favorite of the Republicans
of West Virginia in their choice Tor
President. That is true. He also re-
ferred to- Senator Elkins in a cOmpli-
mentarv manner. His interview con-
cuded as follows. The impression Of
an well informed men here puts West
Virginia down as Republican State
this wear. I share this opinion and
cannot see how it is possible for the
Democratic party to h0id us down any
longer" We would like to ask Senator
Scott i'm what respect the people OF
West Virginia have been held down UNI
der and by the Democratic parry. On
SeDtenber 80. 1895, there was a bal
ance i'm the treasury of this State stand
ing to- the credit of the State OF $l21,-
56767. with not a dollar of indebted
ness against the State. We should like
90 ask what State i'm the Union can
make better showing? We WOu.Q like
for Senator Scott TO compare the tinan-
cial condition of Pennsylvania, OF
Ohio. or of any other State that has
been under Republican control and
domination. vi,h the financial cOndi-
ti0n of West Virginia. The Democrat
ic PARTY came into power in this State
FIN 1872. There have been no defalca-
ticns by her officials since There has
been no treachery by her officials
There has been clean. clear. conserya-
tive administration of public Offices in
an these years. State taxation has
been comparatively low and has never
been raised except 90 aid in the pro-
gress of our free school system. There
have been no test Oaths or prescription
laws passed There has been none Of
the villaiuy and hatred that character
irel The cis+ratiOn Of our State
government when i- was under Re-
publican control. On the other hand,
the last legislature which was Repub-
lean. and the only one since 1872. was
incompetent and corrupt. All the
boosted promises of reform made by the
Republicans es 10 what ,lCv would DO.
should legislative control be eiven
them. went mp I'm smoke and Vind.
No law for The relief OF labor. no law
reducing taxation. no law cheapening
the process of collecting our taxes. was
passed or attempted 70 be passed hv
,hot Republican legislature Tt even
failed I'D make appropriations 10 Ca1v
ON the machinery OF the STATE gOvern-
manI Oar Judges are going Unp8Id:
witnesses in felony cases are going un-
paid and there is lag i'm an that per
tains to the administration OF justice
The legislature seems to have thought
that an th.ugs useful and good were ac-
cCwpiishcd when they elecctd s. g..
Elk.us to the United States Senate. A
fair man. iJ is true a man Of some
parts il is true: and q millionaire. it is
true; but why he should have been
singled ont from hundreds OF Benubn-
cans who had PASSED an their lives
i0 West Virginia. or. o. least. had been
iu this State for many years fighting
The battles of the Republican party
AGAINST overwhelming odds and when
there vas mo- hope Of success. is a nvs-
terry that will some day be solved. and
is q disgrace and q reflection on the
State that Will some day be INDICATED.
Men nay differ upOn the money CUES
ton. but the farmers Of West Virginia
win never turn this State over to the
sang who are seeking control of il.
The Democrats of Ohio had their Calvin
s. Brice: the Republicans o. West Vir-
sinia have had their 5. 3. Flkins.
CLAYTON.