The Washington times., 1904-07-14
PLANK URGES TAX
ON COAL, GAS, OIL
West Virginia Republicans
Adopt Platform.
BIG CORPORATIONS YIELD
The State Ticket COmpleted-Auditor
Scherr Is Renominated-0g-
den For Treasurer.

WHEELING. W. Va. July 14-The
Republican State convention was in ses-
sion at a late hour last night fighting
over the report of the platform com
mittee.
The platform contains n plank urging
a tax upon every pound OF coal. every
foot Of gas and every barrel Of oil pro-
duced in the State in order to furnish
all State revenues, in place Of raising
them as at present by a tax on land
Although the corporations fought it,
they finally agreed to a plank which pro-
Vides for a gradual substitution The
proceedings were wildly exciting. At
times half the convention was on the
floor and for fifteen minutes at a time
bedlam reigned.
Ticket Completed.
The State ticket was completed. In
addition to Secretary Of State Dawson,
who was nominated for governor, it IS:
State auditor, A. c. Scherr. renomi-
mated; State treasurer. Newton Ogden;
secretary Of state. Charles w. Swisher;
superintendent of schools. T. c. Miller;
judges of the supreme court. Frank Cox
and Judge W. n. Miller; attorney gen.
eral, Clark ". May.
William NJ. o. Dawson. secretary OF
state, was Tuesday nominated for gov
ernor of West Virginia in one of the
most tempestuOus Republican conVen-
tions ever held in this State He de-
feated Charles T. Teter by a vote Of 467
70 325-
Legally Conducted.
The nomination was made about
o'clock, after some pretty high-handed
work on the part OF the Dawson sup
porters, although they did everything
legally.
The convention was called to order by
W. e. Glasscock, chairman Of the State
committee. There We're 1872 delegates in
attendance.
United States Senator Stephen B. FL
kins. son-in-law OF Hon Henry G.
president. was temporary chairman OF
the convention. He was received with
great applause.
Sketch of the Nominee.
William NJ. o. Dawson spent his bare
foot days among the buckwheat fields
Of Preston and finally learned the trade
OF printer and blossomed out later as
editor of a Republican county weekly.
He manifested a keen interest in the af-
fairs Of his State and country at an
early age. and ably filled positions of
Importance on the party committees of
his county and district. being elevated
10 the Craftsmanship of the Republican
State committee about fourteen years
ago.
He served a term in the State senate
with credit, originating some early tax
reform measures, and has also been
clerk or the house. For his brilliant
management OF the party's campaign in
West Virginia Mr.. Dawson has been COM
pllmented by Mckinley and other dis
tingulshed men, and in return for his
services he was appointed secretary Of
state by Governors Atkinson and White.
Corporation Law.
Mr. Dawson is father OF the Dawson
corporation law, which brings in sew
eral hundred thousand dollars 10 the
treasury Of West Virginia that formerly
did not come. He is said TO be the best
equipped man for governor West Vir-
ginia has ever had, because Of his init
mate knowledge Of the minutest details
OF government. Governors White At
hnson and others have said so.
Mr.. Dawson IS not the kind OF man
VINO falls all over you in a greeting and
1Orgets you soon He impresses you az
having the real stun in him, with hu-
man sympathies that are not worn on
his sleeve. Those who know him bes,
like him best. which remark sizes up his
nature. He has made a wonderful cam
paisn for governor on the tax reform
issue.