The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-26
WEST VIRGINIA
TN THE BALANCE
Continued From First Page.

LAB, which in 1884 fell off to 4,221,
and in 1888 was almost wiped out,
Cleveland carrying the state against
Harrison by the narrow margin Of sos
votes. The democratic presidential
plurality in 1892, that year of ex-
traordinary reaction, was ALA, but in
1894 the state gave. a plurality Of ID
$50 for republican members OF con-
gress. From that time down to the
present it has gone republican at each
1900 to 1000.
Republican Situation.
w. M. o. Dawson, the republican
nominee for governor, seems cut off
the same bolt with the republican
nominee for the same office in Mime
sofa, and the democracy of the state,
which is more virile and determined
than the democracy Of Minnesota, is
preparing to pillory him thruout the
campaign. The Indictment which
they bring against him is strong.
After his nomination he surrendered
to the corporate interests which he
had opposed during the ante-conven-
ton contest, and in this way has laid
himself open to serious criticism.
But that isn't all. A special session
Of the legislature has just adjourned.
In session a bill providing that all
fees received by the secretary of state
treasury, mysteriously disappeared,
after it had passed both houses, and
therefore it could not become a law.
Dawson is held responsible for that
disappearance. He has been secre-
tary of state for many years, the most
lucrative office in the state. The law
requires all corporations taking out
charters in West Virginia to employ
an attorney in fact, and to pay him
1910 a year for his services. For suff1-
cient reasons, the corporations have
found it profitable to employ the sec
rotary of state for this work, ana the
assignment holds good for years, even
after the incumbent quits office. The
secretary of state Of twenty years ago,
for instance. is today drawing pay
am counting to about $1,000 year as
attorney in fact for corporations
chartered in his term Of service.
Should Mr.. Dawson be elected gov
ernor in November he will draw
/ about $4,000 a year from corporations,
/ in addition to his salary as governor.
/ The inducement for the losing of the
! bill abolishing fees is thus seen to
/ have been ample.
A Wall Street Pocket Borough.
West Virginia is pocket borough
/ of the Wall street corporations, fol
whose profit it has been run for years
without regard to political principles
and there is no immediate prospect Of
a change, no matter which party may
! control it. This fact would explain
republican failure. Davis and Elkin:
for years have represented these
/ Wall street interests, and have per
sonally been in charge, always work
ing together for common purpose
In that work they have become i'm
naensely wealthy. Together. they con
troll the state, in all its activities, in
dustrial and political. The fears O
those republicans who can't see hov
4 Elkins can seriously oppose Davis am
bition to carry the state this year
are we'll grounded, for they well know
i that Ellsins' support is almost indis
4 pensable to republican success.
! The large pluralities received b.
republican candidates in West Vir
ginia beginning with and since 1894
are almost directly traceable, to Wal
street. Tn 1894 the democratic part
was already pretty thoroly committee
8 to free silver, thru the action of man
q western state conventions, notwith
standing Mr.. Cleveland was still presi
dent. In that year and until free silve