New-York tribune., 1904-09-25
WEST VIRGINIA OUTLOOK.
Prosperity Under Protection Indi-
Gates Republican S1Ceep.

looking the situation from any standpoint do
how West Virginia fail to remain in the
Republican column. AS much of a protection State
Pennsy yiyana, with the Democratic papers daily
unwittngly publishing Republican doctrine in their
news Columns by stories OF development of the
launching of new enterprises. it the veriest
rainbow chasing the part of the Democrats TO
claim the State for Parker and Davis.
At Elkins and Cumberland the two places
where ex-senator Davis is best known, he has al
ways been regarded lukewarm Democrat.
While he rode around with Bryan when the latter
visited this region. 1t known that Mr.. Davis
was at heart gold man. At times his sympathies
have been almost openly Republican He has mixed
considerably in local Democratic politics In West
Virginia and because OF this there is not plain sail
ing ahead for him in this campaign. His associ-
ates in a business way, the who helped him
build his big fortune. nearly all Republicans.
The stations along the line of the West Virginia
Central Railroad. which Mr. Davis built, bear the
names of Blaine. Elkins. Window. Harrison. Ker-
ems. Shaw. Parsons and BretZ The greatest trio-
ute paid Mr.. Davis, now a matter OF history. was
by James C. Blaine. Mr.. Davis IS dyed in the
wool" far as the name Democrat is concerned
He had the courage to shake 1t or 1t Is as
serted although It is known that In the last thirty
years his convictions have often been otherwise
Fx Senator Davis is a man OF democratic tastes
and provincial manner and his methods have been
easily gauged. His neghbors know his character
istics and they in a position to make proper
deductions Generally, they have not regarded MN
as a consistent Democrat
Ex-senator Davis and his brother. Colonel Thomas
B. Davis. according to Democratic authority. never
failed TO slash the Democratic ticket when they
thought their interests were in any way involved
1t is charged that they contributed to the defeat
OF William L Wilson father OF the Wilson Tar1ft
hill because he favored free coal. Wilson was
defeated and his vote was least where the Davis
influence was greatest Many Bourbon Democrats.
especially in the agricultural counties. harbor feel
ing politically against the Davses because of this.
that thaNrr cd In INT
nol,tic, and when they did not want Democratic
legislature results showed their hand. In Mineral
County the home OF Colonel Thomas b. Davis, the
latter was elected TO the legislature as Democrat
when no United States Senator was to be chosen.
but yause Alkire. Democratic leader. was showed
under IN the same county at another election when
a Senator was 10 be elected. Alkire's friends claim
they see the hands OF the DRvises in his defeat.
For thirty years It Is charged. the Davises have
been playing thick and thin Democratic politics
Ex-senator Davis is making a strong hght. He
.niovs a wide acquaintance among Republicans.
and is writing them personal letters for their sup
port The men who helped develop the West Nir-
gnia Central region. the railroad OF Davis having
given them the opportunity. are now being asked
by the latter TO vote for him. The grounds OF his
asking in most instances are personal and supposed
" for favors alleged to have been granted while
operating the road Mr.. Davis is going to try to
carry the state personal grounds.
Mr. Davis got HIS financial start from the sale OF
War The business was carried here and At
Piedmont and men yet live who were with him IN
carrying through deals.
It would be hard to find who would call
protection robbery" az far as West Virginia is
concerned And this is the why the Demo
Gratis are SAYING practically nothing national
issues IN State and pushing state Issues 10
the front Never has the State been prosperous.
Every man who wants TO work get employ
ment, and at good wages Foreign labor has 10 be
Hon, Tal., Ia at
hand to do the work mapped out West Virginia
is State Of small farms. and the farmer IS pros
porous for he finds demand al home for his
products at good prices
Just now a number OF new towns are building.
One il Gassaway named for the Democratic Vice
Presidential nominee. Eight hundred acres OF land
have been purchased. the site being the eligi
BILE the Elk River. The Improvement company
is adjunct OF the Coal and Coke Railway. which
Mr. Davis is building, Gassaway Is at the
junction u the main line OF the road from Charles
ton and the branch from Sutton. An $500 hotel
IS now being built Two regular trains are now
being each way daily between Charleston and
Gassaway. Foilansbee is another town In
West Virginia. Nearly hundred houses
under construction for tin mill workmen. West
Virginia is fast becoming tin manufacturing
State The tin plant OF Follansbee Brothers
started I'm full this week. employing six hundred
men. There six tin mills and two sheet mills.
The town is on the Wabash and the Panhandle.
new town. 10 be known Mcmillan Is now
being built the West Virginia Central Railway
between Wilson and Bayard w. Va. The Mcmillan
Lumber Company. Pttsburg corporation. is push
ing the project. The property consists OF twelve
hundred acres OF timber and 1853 acres OF coal
While there may have been some depression In
the coal industry in regions. this has not
been the IN West Virginia. shipment of
seven hundred cars day by the Fairmont Coal
Company is common. On paydays much as
SzSe.0o cash has been expended this season. and
as
result OF the big wages distributions. The com
pany has Just completed power house at Mo-
nongah at cost of s75 0oO. There was more coal
mined in the New River field in August than In any
previous month in It's history. The shipments for
August amounted TO 5l5.Oo tons of coal and about
1000 tons Of coke. II required 1900 cars to
transport this immense tonnage. The development of
coal all over the State stopped the least
Dig new plant about to be opened is tnat of the
Morgart Coal and Coke Company. Belington.
Inc Blackstone Consolidated Coal Company has
Just purchased the Blackstone and Clotus coIeries
ana VIII start operations with 10000 capital.
scarcely day passes without seeing a
pany formed. Iowa and Virginia capitalists have
Just formed the Horse Creek Coal and Land Com
pany with capital stock s5Os 750 to operate in
the hanawha field. In the Elk Garden and Upper
potomac Held, near the Maryland border there has
been general resumption
railroad building goes on apace Next to the
"aoash connecting link. from Cumberland 40
Cherry Run. passing through West Virginia the
most important railroad enterprise is the Coal and
COKE line. which Mr.. Davis is himself building
with his own means This line will place Charles
ton, the capital OF the State nearly one hundred
miles nearer Baltimore and Washington. A few
days ago there was completed thirty miles OF new
road between Otter and Gassaway the new town.
which is about half way between Charleston and
Elkins. When the line is completed ID viii be one
OF the greatest mineral. timber and agricultural
deve'oping roads In the State. as well as short
line between the northern and southern ends.