Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-14
TICKET COMPLETED
West Virginia Republican
Convention Adjourns.
TAX REFORM CARRIED
THE DAWSON PARTY IN FULL
CONTROL.
Two Long and Spirited Sessions-Good
Natured Despite the Hot
Contests.
Speoia Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

bdWSOH IUT governor ny the republican, cou-
vention will be cannot be predicted His add
herents say he will be triumphantly elected,
and since the opposition is pledged to yield
him loyal support there would seem to be no
cause for apprehension. so far the dele
gates are concerned. But the results of
the conventions work will be sought out
among the people who are directly con-
cerned in the tax reform ISSUE The propo-
sition which the convention made promi-
nent and to the support of which it's nomi-
nees are pledged. is to change the tax sys-
tenn so as to levy assessment on the
output of coal and oil and gas and lum-
Der and relieve Che farmers and others of
what Is known as the state tax of % cents
on each 800 in property values. 1t is
claimed this will ALLEVIATE the corporations,
but that at the same time it will insure
to the ticket the support of the agricul-
tural interests. Another project which it
is suggested will be accomplished through
an amendment to the constitution Is to levy
tax on the gross earnings of railroads in
such amount will be deemed equitable
nut that Will be the theme of another chap
Ter in the story which is for future con-
sideratiOn
A Remarkable Convention
What was several days ago designated in
contests ever waged in West Virginia has
been succeeded by one of the most remark
able conventions the people of the state
have ever witnessed. The result was the
nomination of M. o. Dawson for governor
by a vote of 467 to 80 cast for Charles +.
Teter, his only opponent. On motion of
Representative A. G. Dayton, Teter adj
herent, who made the speech placing his
candidate before the convention, the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Dawson was made unant-
nous.
There had been other gentlemen named
in connection with the gubernatOrial nOmi-
nation, but lines were SO closely drawn be-
tween the two principal candidates that
the others dropped out without causing
ripple. There were other state offices to
be filled but the fact seemed to have been
lost sight of in the more absorbing issue
involved in the governorShip.
No question of state policy was permitted
to have consideration until the tax reform
issue was disposed of, and the Dawson fac
ton having control by a margin of a little
over 100 votes. was relentless to the very
close of the proceedings. beating down OPP
position with a hand of mail The minority
was equally persistent. equally resourceful
and as full of fight was the majority,
lacking only the votes to do up the other
side to the queens taste, Marquis OF
Queensbury rules.
The convention was almost in continuous
session from 1870 O'Clock until the hour of
10 o'clock last night, when the motion to
make the Dawson nomination unanimous
was offered by Mr.. Dayton. 1t was carried
with a whoop. Then came other business
and other nominations.
As Rule Good Natured.
The delegates were as rule good ma
tured, and disposed to cheer everything
cheerable. A good point made by either
side was the signal for applause, the en-
tire convention apparently participating
The delegates were not inclined to discrimi-
nate until voting time came. The regulari-
ty with which the Teter faction was knock
ed out by the regulation vote of the ma
jority was monotonous
The convention completed its work to-
night after continuous session of more
than eleven hours. The salient feature of
the platform. which was the last matter
taken up is it's declaration for a reform in
the system of state taxation.
Candidates Named Yesterday.
The following candidates were named to-
day:
Auditor-Arnold C. Scherr of Mineral.
RECONSIDERATION Ogdin of Peasants.
Attorney general-Clark W. May of Lin
coin.
State superintendent of schools-Thomas
c. Miller of Marion.
Secretary of state-Charles w. Swisher
of Marion.
Judges of supreme court-Frank Cox of
Presidential electors at -large-Dr. w. w.
Monroe of Wood, and James A. Lenhart of
Preston.
Geography has always heretofore played
a part in the selection of candidates, but
the convention ignored precedent in the
case of SwiSher and was Stampeded for
him Immediately after his neighbor in the
city of Farmont had been selected for
state superintendent. The Swisher follow
ers had made attempt to defeat Miller.
and almost succeeded. The success of
Swisher came to them as the surprise of
the convention, especially when the Oppo-
sition had secured c. B. Hart and w. P.
Hubbard, two of the most gifted orators In
the convention. to make speeches for an
other candidate
For secretary of state Charles W. Swish
er of Marion. George F. Evans of Summers
and L. NJ. Wade of Braxton were named
There were cries of :'Swisher' while all
the speeches were made and the convention
was Stampeded. The names of the other
candidates were withdrawn before the roll
call commenced. and Swisher was nomi-
mated by reclamation.
Two places on the supreme bench were
to be filed. For the first Frank Cox of
Morgantown was nominated on the first
ballot. For the second vacancy Thomas
A. Brown was selected on the first ballot
and the nomination was made unanimous.
Dr. Monroe and James A. Lenhart were
elected presidential electors.
s. B. Stark of Kanawha county and
John Noel of Fayette, both colored were
CHOSEN memDerS-dt-ldFSe on the state
ecutive committee.
After all other business was disposed OF
the resolutions committee reported the
platform. which was adopted amid the
cheers of delegates who had not left the
Casino.
The Platform
The platform approves the Chicago plat
form; congratulates the people on national
and state administrations: praises Senator
Elkins for fathering the bill to prevent
railroads from giving rebates and making
Determinations. which is the most eff
fective antitrust legislation ever enacted
by Congress- indorses Senator N. B. Scott
for reelection; points with pride to the ad-
ministration of Gov. A. b. White; COM
mends the efficiency of the state mine in
spection and declares for the enactment OF
laws establishing proper system of prf-
mary elections for both parties
On the subject of tax reform, upon which
the party divided in its choice of guber-
material candidates. the platform says:
I'VE congratulate the people of West
Virginia that under the guidance of the
republican party public interest has been
aroused in the important question of taxa