The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12

candidate. But even should Senator
German fail OF the nomination, IL Is
said by West Virginia Democrats that
the demand for Senator Davis is so
strong and so unanimous that he will
be obliged to make the race, particular
w as he Is greatly interested In the local
issues which will be presented in State
during the campaign this year.
The situation in the State is anything
but bright from a Republican stand
POINT. Ten years ago West Virginia
was wrested from Democratic control
after a long. hard struggle. In 1896 II
gave Mckinley majority of u 900; four
years later this majority was increased
10 A,OOO West Virginia. which had
produced that brilliant Democratic
statesman as.o free trader, the late
william L. Wilson, was landed in the
Republican column largely by reason
OF the influx Of foreign population and
the influence Of the great CORPORATIONS
which have been developing the re-
oources OF the State
For the past ten years the Republi-
cans have held 1t firmly. but now dis
sension has arisen in the party and fac
tlonal strife is running high. The is
sue which divides the Republican party
Oh west Virginia into two hostile fac
tOnal camps is a local one, and a from
biesome one-the question of taxation
Fo' long time the leaders of both
parties in the State have appreciated
the fact that the tax system was in
serious need OF Improvement 1t is a
remnant Of old Virginia law handed
down from the days when West Vir-
ginia was a part OF the Old Dominion
aho mas peen patched and amended, but
| l3 entirely inadequate to the needs of
Inc state under present conditions The
, question has been agitating the minds
\ OF the West Virginia statesmen more
/ or less at times ever since the Repub-
mover in the steps saken for new,
taxation system was Senator Stephen
u Elkins, who, by the way, IS SON
iic-law of Senator Davis. and a Repub-
lcan, who, although engaged in large
business enterprises with his father-in-
/ law, Is nevertheless directly opposed to
MIN IN politics
The present governor, a Republican.
| appointed commission TO consider the
question OF taxation and report recon-
mendatiOns for a new system. Senator
Davis, as one of the leading men OF the
state, was member OF that commits
sion, and 20 large extent prepared the
| report, at least IL embOdies his ideas
throughout In short, the principal
features OF the new scheme are the
/ exemption OF real estate from taxation
/ for State and school purposes, and the
| imposition OF a small tax upon the pro-
| duction OF coal, oil. etc. The change is
to be immediate; that Is, the abolition OF
| taxes upon real estate. II the plan IS
/ enacted into law. Is not 70 be by grad
/ ual reduction. as has been done in New
/ York and Ohio. but is to be removed at
once.
Plan Is Popular With Farmers.
The new plan Is highly popular with
the farmer, and unpopular with the cor
| pOrations by reason Of the fact that Il
| imposes an additional tax upon them.
/ and they raise the issue that the pro-
posed tax is one upon production, and
| intimate that II may not stand the test
/ Of the West Virginia constitution. AL
/ though a strong corporation man, the
owner OF mines and vast tracts OF min
eral and oil lands. Senator Davis strong
| ~ favors the taxation plan including
the additional tax upon the products OF
these lands.
| Dawson, secretary Of state, and Teter,
are the rival candidates for the Repub-
/ lican nomination for governor. The for
mer favors the taxation plan IN a modi-
| fed form: that Is. he does not indorse its
extreme measures az does Senator Davis.
/ Teter is the candidate of the corporate
interests, and opposes the taxation plan.
The contest Is so bitter that It places
! the Republican party In jeopardy no
matter which side wins the nomination.
/ On the other hand the Democrats are
| united upon the nomination OF Senator
! Davis. Ii is argued in his behalf that
not only will he have the support OF the
I farmers because OF his advocacy OF thu
taxation plan which will rebound 10
their benefit, but that being a corpora
! ton man himself. and interested IN
every way in the material development
OF the State, a mine owner and capt.
! talst, he would at least divide the sup
port Of these concerns, and be success
/ ful in the race for governor.
Senator Davis is himself taking a great
| interest in the discussion Of the taxa
| ton question and in politics generally,
and even prominent Republicans con-
cede that as the Democratic nominee
| for governor, the Republicans would
have hard fight.
International Railway Project.
Senator Davis was one OF the United
States delegates who formulated the
! scheme for bringing the republics Of
] North. Central, and South America to-
/ gether. and resulted In the establish
ment OF the bureau OF American repub-
lies He was also a delegate 10 the sec
Ond international conference held two
years ago IL the city OF Mexico. An
| other project I'm which Senator Davis
is interested IS the international railway
| project which contemplates a continu-
Gus road from Boston to Santiago. Chile,
and Buenos Ayres. In this undertaking
: Senator Davis is associated with An
drew Carnegie. Senator Davis and Mr.
Carnegie provided the funds for sending
representatives to Central and South
America TO investigate upon the project
He realizes, OF course, that IL Is a
work OF the future, and that while. de-
spite his good health and prospects Of
many years Of useful life. he may not
live 20 see II an accomplished fact he
wishes 10 be known a 9 one of those who
| foresaw the possibilities and was the
first TO aid In the underta king