West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-04-02
OUR Town AFFAIRS.
Editor Argus:


caused more heated discussions and bad
blood among our people than has all the
wars and political campaigns that we have
fallen heir to in the last fifty years. Indeed
we had recently decided that better things
were in sight for our beautiful town, no,
only from financial standpoint but from
that of Improvement in general way. The
latter has now gotten under q good head
way, not only our own people but strangers
as we'll, are seeking investments with US,
realizing as they do that no town in Yves,
Virginia affords the natural facilities (saye
and except transportation that Kingwood
does.
But unfortunately for US, and those who
have for the last FIVE years been steering
our financial boat, after series of founder
ing, it must be admitted by all that she has
now disappeared from view. Is il possible
that she is never to return again ? We all
believed that the new administration would
have been long since sighted her in the dis
lance, wrecked, but we trust not lost. The
words of the retiring town officers have been
all the while ringing in our cars, "wait for
our settlement we will for once show ND
the situation as il exists" We have waited
patiently for the last two months, but no
settlement has yet appeared, not even a
word nor hint has reached our ears that a
settlement is due as required.
Now, Mr.. Editor, the writer of this arti-
cles as we'll as the masses of our people
are loyal to the best interests of our town.
Aud 1t is not my desire nor intention TO de-
fame its good name. AT the same time I
want to be frank, honest and conservative
in once more bringing the matter before all
those who have administered our town
affairs during period Of at least FIVE years.
During all this time jus, a few men have
been in the saddle with the exec ptlon of the
last officers elected, and perhaps one mayor,
all have been the representatives of one
idea, whether they be Democrats or Repub-
leans. That idea was to down every large
tax payer Of the town save and except one.
That ono has dictated and manipulated
everything in the way of legislation and
invaribly has had his forces in line at every
election to secure The election Of those under
his control.
Just at this particular time the stores are
crowded of evenings with a certain class of
men who make it a point to raise the cues
ton OF town finances on the approach OF
any man that they know is a heavy tax
payer. We are heartily tired OF hearing A
subject discussed that not even the best in.
formed men of the town Except those who
have been manipulating the matterl know
anything at ali about. Why talk abou,
anything save and except means by which
the public funds mus be accounted for. and
that too at the proper time. II our ex-officers
have a proper record of their proceedings
and refuse to make it pupc, the courts
upon proper proceeding will compel them
TO do so. If they have no record, they are
simply criminals, and are subject to crimi-
nal prosecution. So let MS stop this per-
petual talking and proceed in legal way
to unearth the mystery that surrounds our
town affairs. The town authorities concede
an annual revenue of approximately S., 900.
The estimated expenses of the electric plant.
the interest on bonds and the sinking fund,
Town Sergeant and Recorder are about
$4,000 leaving about 81 900 for streets, but
so far this surplus together with an annual
deficit of at least 5000 has not been accounted
for, neither has there ever been an itemized
annual statement Of the actual expenses of
the electric plant. 1t may have been much
more, or II may have been much less. We
as tax payers are entitled TO an annual re.
port from the town officers covering all
moneys collected and expended, we want
that report aud mean 20 have il, and those
upon whom the responsibility rests, would
do we'll to make IL. Some Of these men
arc aspiring for more important positions at
the hands Of the tax payers of Preston
county. Their records as they now stand
will blast their hopes. trust that they
may yet place themselves in more fatter-
ing positions before the people
Now for the neglect Of duty upon the
part of some of our present officers. While
Il is presumed that our town ordinance
fofbids drunkenness, swearing and fighting
on our streets. The same is almost an
every day occurrence. Not a single fine
has lately been imposed for violation Of our
town ordinance No longer than last
Monday, March g, there was an old
fashioned fight right in from, Of the court.
house. This beats Uncle Paul Herndon's
saloon days While it Is true that the
whiskey was drank in the bar room. the old
man had held below town dedicated as
tie fighting ground, ard no one dared to fgh,
any other place. TO the credit Of our
Town Sergeant, will say that the parties
we're arrested and brought before Ills Honor
Mayor John w. Watson, who was rather
unwell 70 attend to court affairs. So the
Sergeant was ordered 20 take them before
Recorder John Ford, who refused to try
them on the ground that the Mayor was IN
town and attending to other business. About
ihis time Sergeant Bill =. Maneaf Justly
became indignant and turned che prisoners
loose o. Craze, So The town lost al least $40
that should have been imposed on the guilty
parties n men have neither the time nor
inclination 10 perform The duties Of their
Offices, We recommend that they get out Of
The way, 50 that we can have men who are
not 80 afraid Of their political scalps.
TAX PAYgR.
Ht-'-W
Anril Alliance