The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-06-02
MEssRss DAWSON ANT FER
s ALONG WITH SON Me- r -
FLEcTIoNs 81

FLEcTio ON
The West Virginian was notS.gin'l
dulging in idle talk few days ago
when it suggested that for the good.
of the party and its success in No
vember both Dawson and Teter
should be thrown overheard and a
man selected as the gubernatorial
standard bearer. upon whom all
party could unite. 1t was by no
means a pleasure to make such a sug-
gestfon, for we knew that it would be
offensive not only to Messrs- Dawson
and Teter, but to the many friends OF
each Realizing, however, that 1t was
time to speak pIainly-that the life
of the party was at stake-we did not
hesitate to make known our position
We think more of the Republican
party than we do of any man within
its ranks who may be seeking prefer
ment. Messrs. Dawson and Teter are
worthy gentlemen, but it has deve!-
oped in their canvass for the suber-
material nomination that it would be
unsafe for either to receive It, IL
would be unsafe because they repre-
sent opposite sides of question that
has become tumultuous-that has
caused wides pread confusion in the
party. The two candidates named
are not so much responsible for the
situation as are few of their iooi
newspaper friends. The agitation OF
the Tax Commissions report has
brought about the trouble, akinS
any man Objectionable as a candidate
for a State Office who is prominently
Identified with either side Mr.. Daw-
son is in favor Of said report, while
Mr. Teter is against It. This, to the
great detriment of the former. is con-
strued unjustly to mean that he IS pr
friendly to the corporations OF the
State Just as unjustly Mr.. Teter is
looked upon as friendly to the cor
porat tons, and therefore against the
people Both gentlemen have too
much good sense to assume such an
attitude, yet they find themselves SO
placed and cannot escape, thanks to
their aforesaid fool newspaper friends.
1t was great mistake to make the
tax question a party one, but such 1t
is, and the Republicans must make
the best of it. What seems the thing
for them to do is TO look around for
some one for a 5gubernatorial candi-
date who will be acceptable to all
interests-one who is regarded as fair,
and who has occupied neutral ground
during the agitation of the question
above referred to. 1t would not be
difficult to fnd number of such
men. They can be found in almost
any county throughout the State.
The nomination of Mr.. Dawson
would not arouse. much enthusiasm
among those who would feel that%he
would not receive the support Of the
CORPORATIONS. He could not expect to-.
nor would he receive, more than a
| half-hearted support from the host OF
Republicans who are connected with
corporations With the railroad com.
panies, the coal companies, the oil
companies. the gas companies and the
banking institutions arrayed against
him, all being opposed to the Tax
Commissions report, he would look
like a badly handicapped candidate.
| On the other hand: wouldn't Mr..
Teter, as the corporation candidate
man who would be heralded as
against the people-many of whom
have been led to believe that they
will escape the payment of taxes by
the adoption of tax reform a pay
ment by the way from which they will
never ESCAPED, we repeat wouldn't Mr..
Teter have tired, sad and forlorn
| look rs such candidate?
| Viewing the candidates. OF both as
we do, we think that the nomination
| of either would be an act Of fool
| hardness on the part of the party.
While either might be elected, Yet
we doubt if such would be the result.
A campaign with either as the leader
would superinduce fear and trembling
| among his stouteSt adherentS. 1t is
campaign that should not be entered
upon. The pa-ty-cannot afford to take
a stand surrounded by doubt and un-
certainty. An unpopular nomination
this year under present conditions
means the surrender Of the State to
the Democratic jumping from the
frying pan into the fire, as it were.
Would the people look for any tax re-
form then? Would they expect to
derive any benefits from such a
| changer A II VINO remember the his