West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-10-06
NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE.

Tax Reform is not a political is
sue, but an economic one. This
was fully demonstrated when Hon.
VIM. M. o. Dawson was making his
canvas for the Republican nomina-
ton for Governor. Democrats all
over the state were found in the
ranks of the Dawson supporters
fighting for to secure delegates
favorable to Mr.. Dawson. 1t was
not an unusual thing to hear Demo.
Gratis say that they intended to sup .
port Mr.. Dawson on the day of the
election This support was to be
given Mr.. Dawson by Democrats
because they were thoroughly in
earnest on the question of Tax Re
form and believed Mr.. Dawson
would fulfill his promises, which he
and Gov. White made while stump
ing the state. The farmers and
laooring class believed, and rightly
too, that they had been paying the
burden of taxation in West Virginia
for years past and that it was no
more than justice that the wealthy
corporations should pay their Just
portion of the taxes.
When the extraordinary session OF
The Legislature was called the farm
ers and laboring people were singing
the praises of Dawson and White
for their honesty in keeping their
pledges to raise the burden of taxa
ton from the shoulders of the farm
ers and small taxpayers. Up to the
convening of the extraordinary ses-
sion of the Legislature the shrewdest
politicians of all political parties
admit that VIM. M. O. Dawson
could not be defeated for the Gov.
ernorship of West Virginia. Il was
cited that the farmers and working
men would support Mr.. Dawson on
the issue of Tax Reform, regardless
OF their party affiliations. Such was
the political situation up and until
the extraordinary session OF the
| Legislature adjourned.
When the Legislature adjourned
and the common people found out
that instead of tightening their bur
den Of taxation they had actually
increased the burden, and sold out
body and soul to the corporations,
their indignation knew no bounds.
Gov White and Mr.. Dawson who
had promised them relief from their
burden were silent on the taxa
ton Of coal, oil and gas and enthu.
siastic for the Teassessment OF All
lands at their full valuation. By
this strong tax reform the bulk falls
on the shoulders Of the farmers Of
West Virginia who had registered
their protest by supporting Mr..
Dawson for The nomination for Gov
ernOr Because these gentlemen
have betrayed the farmers and
working people on thc issue of tax
reform does not say that the farmers
and small taxpayers are not Just as
earnest for tax reform as they were
when they left the farm and the
workshop and went forth and work
ed for the nomination Of Bill Daw-
son and the defeat ofCharIey Teter.
The farmers and working men
have one more chance 90 even up
matters with those who BETRAYED
them. On Nov. 8th they have an
opportunity TO- vote Cor genuine
tax rciDrmer in The person of Hon.
John ]. CouwclI the Democratic
nominee, who believes boo equal and
just taxation. John CornweII was
reared ON The farm and knows the
wants Of the farmers
Are the Rep1bIcou farmers and
lsborngmcn Of Preston County less
earnest iu their efforts i9 bring
about tax reform ,han ,hc.r Demo.
cratic brethren, The burden falls,
ON their shoulder equally the same.
There is no exemption on account
Of their politics. BE De Republican.
Democrat Socialist, Pr9hi1.uonist.
or what not, be cannot escape The
assessor nor The sheriff JIG viii be
called upon 90 pay increased taxa.
ton under the Republican SO called
Tax Reform
IHR ARou s. frank go say that 10
does not believe lhst Che farmers
and wageworkcu viii support ihe
candidates Of a party which has
perpetrsted such bogus tax reform
.rtr.~r. fF.r.