Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-07-24
Senatorial Convention.


posed of the counties of Jefferson,
Berkeley, Morgan and Hampshire, was
held at Martinsburg Tuesday. There
was large attendance of delegates
from each of the counties named, and
though there were some lively discus
sions over the resolutions, the work OF
the convention was harmonious. Hon.
Stuart w. Walker, of Martinsburg,
was made chairman Of the convention,
and in taking the chair made a char
acteristically eloquent speech on the
issues of the approaching campaign.
H. L. Snyder, of Shepherdstown, was
elected secretary.
There was en- interesting debate
over several Of the resolutions, partic-
ularly one that sought to adopt rule
providing the order in which the sew
eral counties should be allowed the
candidate for State Senator in rotation.
This resolution was opposed by the
Jefferson and Hampshire delegates,
and though gallant fight for it was
led by Alex Parks on behalf Of the
Berkeley and Morgan men, it was
overwhelmingly defeated, Another
resolution regulating the manner of
electing delegates to senatorial con-
ventions in the several counties was
also defeated. The resolutions as fl
nally adopted are as follows;
We. the Democrats of the 18th sena-
torial district, in convention assembled,
reiteratng our faith in the principles of
the Democratic party, who through its
fidelity to constitutional government
has been the continued safeguard of
liberty, demand:
First: That there shall be taught in
every free school of the State the Dec
laration Of independence" and the
American Constitution, and that no
student be graduated from our State
University and normal schools until, by
examination, they show proficiency in
these two great bulwarks Of liberty.
Second: We demand that taxation
shall be equitable and uniform, that
corporations and individuals alike
should equally bear their just burdens
of government. We condemn the meth
Cd OF taxation fOStered by the Republic
can party of agricultural lands and rail
roads bearing the burdens and the coal,
oil, gas, express, sleeping car, telegraph,
telephone and other incorporate inter
eStS contributing practically nothing to
the expenses of the State government
Third: We condemn the Republican
party for its support and defense of the
gigantic trusts and the eXorbitant tariff
laws that make these illegal combina-
tions of capital possible and enables
them to sell abroad their manufactured
products at forty per cent less than they
are sold to the citizens and consumers
in this country, and likewise the action
of the Republican majority in the last
State Legislature in defeating an effect
i've antitrust bill introduced by one of
their number and which received the
unanimous support of the Democratic
members.
Fourth: We condemn the Republi-
can majority of the last Legislature for
their action in passing Il corporation
bill which, while very properly increas
ing the charter tax on corporations,
likewise increased the revenues of the
office of the Secretary of State many
thousands of dollars by diverting into
his Golfers fees that should have gone
into the State treasury, and we commend
the action of the Democratic members
of the Senate from this district in their
effort TO save the people this money that
properly belongs to them, but which,
by the measure referred TO. makes the
Secretary of State the direct beneficiary
of this legislation.
Fifth: We condemn the action of
the Republican members of the last
Legislature in deprlving the county of
jefferson, by jerrymander, of a member
Of the State Legislature to which ii is
under the Constitution entitled, with
the result of granting to Morgan coun-
ty. with less than half the population
of Jefferson, the same representation in
the House of Delegates, and giving to
Berkeley county, with slightly larger
population than jefferson, two mem
berS to its one.
Sixth: Whereas. a State Tax Com
mission has been created to suggest
revision of the tax and revenue laws of
the State, resolved, that we urge upon
said commission that they recommend
to the Legislature such revision of the
tax and revenue laws as will relieve the
real estate of the payment of any State
tax, by an equitable assessment of
tonnage tax upon coal, and similar
tax on oil and gas, the natural resources
of the State, which are being removed
therefrom, creating immense fortunes
for private individuals with insufficient
returns to the State.
Hon. John J. Cornwell, of Romney,
Hampshire county, was placed in nom
ination by J. S. Zimmerman, of Hamp-
shire, and his nomination was second
ed by J. F. Engle, of Jefferson county,
and A. H. NJ. Saltonstall, of Morgan
county. On motion of J. V. Quinn,
of Berkeley county, the nomination of
Mr.. Cornwell was made unanimous by
reclamation.
A committee was appointed to wait
upon Mr.. Cornwell and escort him to
the hall, and he was greeted with APP
plause when he appeared. He made
an excellent speech appreciative of the
honor conferred upon him and pledg-
ing his best efforts to the interests of
his constituents.
The convention then adjourned.
The following are the members of
the new executive committee Of the
district: