The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-10-02
REFORMS FAILURE
A cLARkssuRe PAPER slTs UP
AND TAKES NOTICE OF A
FEW THINGS.

"Sie so eIdtsu over the result that
they shouted long and loudly about
what wonderful reformations would
be brought about In Fairmont. The
campaign that year was largely
fought by the reformers In making
charges against the administration
and promising to bring about place
model in every respect, and especial.
ly as to obedience to law and order.
But how well those promises have
been fulfilled and how effective is re.
form movement are best shown by
the following leading editorial by the
Fairmont Times. which was one of
the strongest advocates of the alleged
reform ticket at the time:
The prevalence of known crooks,
gamblers and confidence men in Fair,
mont at the present time is somewhat
alarming. Some time ago there was
an intimatlon that this class OF gen.
try had been assured of protection
here II only the aeqHiescence of one
official could be obtained, and from
the number of that kind OF people in
the city 1t almost looks like his ac-
quiescence had been obtained or that
they had decided to go along without
II. Certainly II common rumor is to
be believed there is no extraordinary
precautions being taken to break up
several places which are running
pretty wide open. The ordinary
crimes that are associated with an
influx of the lawless population are
growing. Holdups are getting com.
mon, and one or two little attempts
at burglary have been made. It is
pretty near impossible to have a large
introduction of the criminal class into
a community without the more Sc.
rious offenses naturally being in
creased. 1t will be remembered tina.
a few years ago we had quite a large
of strange sporting men in
Fairmont for few weeks, and 1T
was only by accident almost that the
looting of bank was averted. The
true secrets of that transaction were
never published. but II they had been
the public would be nervous when it
sees the gambling interest fourishing
despite the law, and notices the kind
of men such business brings to the
city. 1t was time the authorities
were looking after these matters
little before some serious crime is
committed. The gang which was ripe
for burglary at Fairmont went from
here to Cumberland, where they ware
more nearly successful in their pur-
poses. There are several reputable
business men in Fairmont who know
all about that matter and where that
gang was quartered. 1t will be well
for the officials to scrutinize some of
these places little now to see If
some of the same kind are not now
in the city. : stitch in time saves
nine in more cases than one. There
are said to be several individuals In
Fairmont now who have been driven
from neighboring cities because of
their known character as dangerous
criminals. This city don't want to be
made a refuge for the lawless of 9TH
er communities"
II conditions at Fairmont are as de-
scribed by the Times, it is self,evi-
dent that reform has been a most mis-
cradle failure there, and from It may
be learned the lesson that the cries
that go up once year for reforma-
ton are more designing than earnest.
For instance, in Clarksburg reform
has been preached once year for
the past several years, but 1t ever de-
velops that these preachings are just
before election time. and are mainly
inspired by the designing politician.
found some ofice.hungry politician
that hopes to use the sincere only to
attain his own ends. and without any
real intention of carrying out the as
surances of those he uses that
pledges are TO be kept, In the event
he gets into power.
Also identified with these alleged
reform movements are ever some,
whose personal conduct betrays the
cause they advocate and lowers it in
the estimation of the voters. For
such to parade the streets and howl
reform" is only to discredit the mo.
tive of true reformers, If there be any
such. And in the end defeat is the
reward.
At Fairmont there is scarcely a
doubt, If any, that the mayor would
have carried into effective operation
all the reforms promised, but no
sooner did he undertake 1t, than he