davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

1t will be observed that the amount
for 1905, the present legislative year,
exceeds that of 1895, the last year that
appropriations were made to be ex-
pended under a Democratic admins
tration, by 1921 ,030. or that the total
appropriations for the present year are
almost two and one-half times what
they were ten years ago. 1t will also
be noted that the amount for the pres
ent year. when compared with 1908,
the next preceding legislative year,
does not show the decrease that was
to come from unloading part Of crimi-
nal and other charges on the counties.
1t is still about the same old figure.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30


The Way to Reduce Taxes = 70 Reduce
Expenditures.
The Democratic doctrine has uni
formly been that the only rat1onai way
to reduce State taxation is to cut down
appropriations, looping on such items
of expenditure as benefit particular
persons without materially increasing
the welfare of the people ct large
The Republican administration. con-
fronted with the admitted fact that It
had doubled the appropriation since
Lit obtained control Of the State, de-
clared that it had nevertheless reduc-
ed the average taxpayers future taxes
by adopting new devices for catching
more of the property of the tax dodger.
The chief of these devices, strange to
say was one of the oldest known to
the shifty politician, the revaluatiOn OF
real estate. the very species of prop
erty owned by the average taxpayer
The new lew requiring that real estate
be now, for the first time, put upon the
| tax books at its full selling value at
voluntary sale. And this device was
adopted Notwithstanding that this
species OF property bore the bulk or
| the burden of taxation even under the
| old method of valuation.
| During the late campaign the Demo
cratic press showed conclusively that
whatever might be the fate OF the tax
dodger, the effect Of this law would be
! to make the average owner OF real
estate pay twice the amount OF taxes
| that he paid under the old law. The
answer to this was that new limit
had been prescribed for the levy rate
that could be imposed by the County
Court The last Legislature has adj
mitted that this claim was entirely I'M
founded by finally passing an act that
may to some extent curtail the rate Of
levy. But as the decrease in rate IS
nothing like the increase in valuation
the average taxpayer will still be LA
Bile for more taxes than he was under
| the old law. In the meantime the
State administration will have secured
exactly what it started out to secure
more taxes to indulge in more extrava-
CANT and wasteful expenditures.
! If any taxpayer doubts that his prop
erty will shortly be liable for still
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

It should always be borne in mind
by the people that political machine
has no politics. 1t is simply an out
law organization within itself sailing
under false colors to deceive the peo-
pie. Its stock in trade is to appeal
to the political prejudice OF the people
and deceive them and at the same time
bleed the corporations and compel
them to form an alliance with them
whereby they can both rob the people.
The question is, how long are the peo-
pie going to stand for robbery? II
they continue to vote blindly on politi-
cal bias and prejudice they may ex-
pect the political machine to reap the
harvest while they pay the tax.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30
Democratic Nomination.

The Democratic Congressional con-
vention. which convened at keyser
on Wednesday of last week, nominated
that splendid citizen of Mineral county,
Col. Thos. B. Davis, as the Democratic
candidate for Congress.
Perhaps no man in the Second Con-
gressional district is better known
than Col. Davis, both inside and out
side the district. No man has done so
much for the district and its develop
ment in business way, as Col. Davis,
save and except his distinguished
brother. Col Davis was not a candi-
date, did not even want the nomination
and so stated when his name was plac-
ed before the convention, but the con-
vention declared him the nominee I'M
unanimously, and he accepted, like the
loyal Democrat he is, and declared his
intention of being elected.
Five years ago when Col. Davis was
candidate for Congress Hampshire
gave him the largest majority 1T had
ever given any candidate up to that
time. We trust and belize that 1t will
again break its record.
Col. Davis is man of influence,
power, ability and character. He
would exercise a wide influence II
elected. His kind and generous treat
ment of many young men in this sec
ton, who nave gone to him IN various
capacities anu who have been in his EN-
ploy, has made him many warm per
sonal friend, who will take pleasure IN
doing their utmost to secure his cleo
ton.
The only argument in favor OF the
election of his opponent is that he is
good business man. Nobody pretends
that Mr. Lakis is statesman or il
made of the material of which states
men are moulded He is successful
merchant and banker If bushes!
ability and experience are to be thu
test. Col. Davis is SO far ahead II
capacity, ability and years OF exper
fence that there is no room even 10
comparison, even were comparison
not always odious.
While Mr.. Lakin has been selling
dry goods and shaving paper, or buylnl
tax titles to delinquent lands, Col
Davis has been devoting his energies
to building railroads, opening mine
and developing the resources OF tn
State and district. Mr.. Lakln is al
agreeable gentleman, personally, a
we are frank to admit. But SO is Col
Tom Davis. The life and work OF tn
latter have been such that the peopl
of the district, irrespective OF party
owe it to themselves to crown his &c
clining years by electing him to repre-
sent them in the Congress OF the I'm
ted States.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

became II, was to pay on political
debts out OF the State Treasury.
Items Of public expenditure Of this
kind, and there are many of them In q
less degree, can be cut down, and
taxes, If not reduced, at least kept
from being increased. But they never
will be until the independent voter
wakes up and thinks for himself. The
day will never come when he will be
allowed to vote on the question OF
high or low taxation by itself. All
that he can do is to choose time
when the other issues are the least
vital.
The special election In the Second
Congressional district affords an excel
lent opportunity of doing this. Its re-
suits viii not affect the political COM
plexion of the National House OF Rep
resentatives one iota, but it Will be
taken as showing the trend of public
sentiment on the tax question.
Mr. Lakin was a follower OF Mr..
Dawson in the fake tax reform move
ment. His nomination is said to be
due largely to the Governors efforts
on his behalf. His election would be
trumpeted forth by all the fake tax re-
form organs as an endorsement of that
measure, just as his nomination was
claimed a defeat to the Teter wing OF
the party. His defeat on the other
hand will mean that the farmer refuses
to believe that he has been benehtted
by the new assessment; and that the
taxpayer is generally awake to the fact
that you cannot at the same time re-
duce taxation and continue to increase
expenditures at the enormous rate OF
which the foregoing figures, taken from
the officially published acts OF the
Legislature, are mple.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Serious Charge Against Gov Dawson
~ i Prominent Republican.
Grant P. Hall broke into the grand
jury room yesterday and broke up the
game
After he got through testifying the
body of inquisitors found it had little
left to do and took very little time IN
which to do it. What did Grant say,
ask you, gentle reader? Too much.
much too much, for the comfort OF
the gang and the dignity Of the State.
When Hall last week received q
subpoena to appear before the grand
jury, he gave notice that when he did
appear he intended to tell what ne
knew
That's what we want" said the
people who had him summoned.
well, that's what you'll get" re-
| piled Hall, and they got it.
When Hall went into the grand jury
| room yesterday he took seat, crossed
| his legs. and with much the same air
| that Dewey had when he flung his field
glass over Manila bay, and said, you
may fire when you are ready, Gridley, &
said, fire away?
| Attorney General May was at the
trigger, and ne began.
| DO you know, Mr. HaA, y any a.,
tempt ever pelng Maue ~ riIpo :
member OF the County court VI RAMA
VIVA county!
i 40, SAID HAL
know about it, Mr. Hall, said the gen
ial and urbane May.
remember salu ilali enos oDos -
nve years ago. uurins enc Colnps :.
l9UV, MT. Dd"sun' NJ" Wy s - MI :,
the State, gave me tnIee ons enoa ISL.
dollar Diils ana one I'VE nunuleu uo all
Dill, Wnicn were " ~ .ul n o'1 r - !
certain MEMBER q inc Ooun .. oou. Z,
in case ne voted lot the appoiueilen .. =,
the electlon commissioners nane !.
upon llst Iurnlsneu ~ m. c,, ~ : on.
iheh rrosecu.oi Nioy s.a.ssse5 : =
fell SO hard II pretty near uIoppeu ~
MT. han went on ~ zen .nas - S -.
ried the money ABOUT lor consiue ~
able time IN MS pocket anu nnaaay, ~ ),
coming alIalu ne lniens ~ 1o. IT, S T. =,
to Ira Mottesneara. wno 1891 Z, Eel =,
in the sa1e IN the Circuit eielA olns ,s,
Mr.. Hall was not certain az ~ w,
was to make the arranselnen.S W.
the member OF the County Couit WIZ ~
! it was intended 70 puy. anu; - -,
story goes, dld not inenrion nis nane
The project, however, zen tnIoasn, a,.s
the money was returned 70 MI "a
son, then chairman oi tue nepuo''e'''
state Commlttee. -,
BY the time the witness nau d reaune'
this stage OF MS narrative r.ooeouso
May had succeeded IN recoverins 9 ~
scattering remains OF once lopus
breath, and managed 70 arelcuia.e q,
Wnen usu YOU Pay 'nls o d,,,;n9 ~
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30
Blank affidayits to get on the voting
list can be had from local district or
precinct committeeman.
Ever Increasing Expenditures.

However the State may unload its
expenses upon the counties, and how
ever much it may shift taxes from one
class of citizens to another, the taxes
Of the whole people cannot be reduced
as long as expenditures continue to
grow at the frightful rate of speed that
they have taken on In the last eight or
ten years.
If the taxpayer wants to perceive the
true cause of increased taxes and the
inspiring motive of the fake tax-re-
form let him glance at the following
figures
They show year by year the total
amounts appropriated on account OF
Unless you are sure that the asses
sor has you on the voters list do not
fail to make the affidavit that will put
you on.
Election day is Tuesday. June 9Th.
Do not fail to 60 to the polls
the State fund which covers all ex-
penditures, except for free school pur-
poses, from 1855 to 1905.
Total State Fund Appropriations by
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

This condition of affairs naturally
suggests the question, What is the
real estate owner going to do about
it? Can he find any remedy at this
late day?
Next years taxes must be assessed
and paid on the new valuation. It is
now too late to hope for any legisla-
tive help All that can be done Is to
take advantage of the first opportunity
to let the State administration know
what the people think about its nefar-
ious scheme to procure additional
funds to further indulge in the riotous
waste and extravaganza that has been
rampant in State affairs OF late years.
AS long as the people don't knick,
so long will this kind of expenditure
continue. AS long as the taxpayer is
willing to put up the money, the office
holding class will find place to spend
it. Nothing but the fear OF losing
what they have will ever induce them
to let up Until the people have
spoken, until the handwriting is seen
on the wall, the political orgy will con-
tinue with undated freshness.
The accident of Congressman Day
tons resignation has given a portion
of the people of the State an excellent
opportunity of expressing themselves
On this reassessment, and kindred tax
alton questions The political com
plexion of the national House OF Rep
resentatives is fixed. The result OF
this special election will not affect it
in the slightest degree. Every voter
can, for the first time in many years,
vote his own convictions without the
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30
Reassessment Of Real Estate.

The reassessment of all the lands,
town lots and houses in the State, the
real tax producing feature of the fake
tax reform program is progressing
rapidly. While the result is not being
published enough leaks out from time
to time to warrant the conclusion that
the increase in tax values will be enor-
nous, running all the way up to three
hundred and fifty per cent. and even
higher in some instances. 1t is now
safe to say that the average holder of
a farm or town lot and house can count
upon having his tax liability at least
doubled in the immediate future.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Any voter that the assessor has fail
ed to put on the voters list will have
to make affidavit before voting. He
may do so either on or before election
day before any official who can admin
lister an oath.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30
Increased Expenditures Not Due to
Permanent Improvements.

That the taxpayer may learn how
much the enormous increase of late
years in State expenditures is NOT
due to the creation of new State insti-
tutions, the betterment OF old ones or
other permanent improvements, let
BIN look as the following figures show
ing the appropriations for the years OF
1895 and 1905 ON account of the cur
rent cost of the State goyernment~the
legislative, executive and judiciary
branches. They are taken from the
published appropriation acts of 1895
and 1905.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

If you are real estate owner, or
the possessor of only tangible personal
property you owe it to yourself to re-
hulse Candidate Lakin at the polls Oh
Tuesday, June G. Back of Mr.. Lakin's
candidacy is the Dawson machine thai
struck hands with the coal and oil
magnates on tax reform GU and rails
ed the. assessment on your property
in order that this same machine might
have more revenues to exploit.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

10 not allow the Republicans to dis
franchise you by keeping your name
c.s OF the voting list.
equalled. and not excelled, by the roll
call of the old Ashland, Kentucky, dis
trict of Henry Clay: and for the Re-
publican party to have descended from
Judge Dayton, who wears with honor
and credit the ermine Of an exalted
judicial station, to Jim Lakin, the rab-
bit hunter of the huckleberry ridge and
cranberry gIades of the Alleghenies,
is like Emersan's proud Miss Nc
Bride
ITO fall from an avenue down to an
alley
Is there anything that the most i'm
aginative reveler could twist into the
charge that Mr.. Lalxin made his living
by picking huckIeberriesg
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30
..sf18.321


That is, the cost Of running the same
departments of the government is more
than double what it was ten years ago.
IS 1t any wonder that there must be
new devices in the way of taxation to
keep up with expenditures increasing
at this rate,
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Any voter that the assessor has fail
ed to put on the voters list will have
to make affidavit before voting. He
may do so on or before election day
before any official who can administer
an oath.
If you have any doubt about being
on the voters list do not fail to- see
your district or precinct committee
man.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Any voter that tGe assessor has fail
ed TO put On the Voters list will have
to make AFFIDAVIT before voting. He
may do SO on or before election day
before any official who can administer
an oath.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Any voter that the assessor has fail
ed to put on the voters list will have
to make affidavit before voting. He
may do so on or before election day
before any official who can administer
an oath.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Republicans are making strenuous
appeals to the local pride OF the Demo
Gratis of Preston county TO induce them
10 break away from their party affilia-
tons and vote for Mr. Lakin, because
he is a citizen of their own comfy.
In 1896 William G. Brown, also a
citizen of Preston county, was the
Democratic Congressional candidate
and appeals were made to the Repub-
licans to do then what they are beg
gIng Democrats to do now. Preston
Democrats can use their fingers to
count the Republican ballots that were
cast for Mr.. Brown in answer to these
appeals.
Mr.. Iskin should get as many Demo
cratic votes today as Mr. Brown re-
ceived Republican votes in 1886, that
is. none.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

length and breadth of the State there
is lamentation and wailings on the
part of those destined to feel the pinch
when the new dispensation is applied
in all its alleged beauty. That the
farmer and small property owners are
being heard from without regard to
politics, for there is MO politics in this
matter, but simply a question of dol
lars and cents and deception. And as
they cogitate over the matter they
realize full we'll that not only is it
everlastingly too late to apply rem
edy, but that as time passes they will
be worse. off, and their last condition
verse than their present Wheeling
Telegraph.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Unless you are sure that tie asses
scr has you on the voters list do not
fail to make the affidavit that will put
you on.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Unless you are sure that the asses
sor has you on the voters list do not
fail to make the affidavit that win put
you on.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

If you have any doubt about being
on the voters list do not fail to see
your district or precinct committee
man.
Election day is Tuesday, June 9th.
Do not fail to go to the polls.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Unless you are sure that the asses
sor has you on the voters list do not
fail to make the affidavit that will put
you on.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Blank aflldayits to get on the voting
list can be had from local district or
precinct committeeman.
Do not allow the Republicans to dis
franchise you by keeping your name
off of the voting list'
ton, Of course, is to lead the people
to believe that Mr. McGraw meant that
picking huckleberries renders one un-
fit for Congress. OF course the charge
is false -nothing could be falser. Any
one acquainted with John T. McGraw
knows that he is the very last person
to think or say anything OF the kind.
Here Is a clipping from the Wheel
ing Intelligencer that shows what Mr..
McGraw's remarks we're, and in what
connection they were made.
Hon. Ira Robinson, who youches for
the correctness of the quotation, is a
prominent Republican. well known TO
the voters Of the Second Congressional
district.
when Mr. McGraw was asked about
his 'huckleberry remark anent Mr..
Lakin, he dictated to his stenographer
the pertinent passage In his speech.
When it was later shown to Ira Robin
sen. who heard the speech. he said
Inst the quotation was correct. Here
| is What Colonel McGraw saids
THE allusion was TO the splendid
character and business ability OF Col
cnel Davis, and the distinguished Dem
ocrats. Bedinger, the elder Faulkner.
Ben Martin, John Blair Hoge, and the
accomplished Wilson, who have repre-
sented the Second district in Congress
"a galaxy Of ilIustrious names only
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Blank afidavits to get on the voting
list can be had from local district or
precinct committeeman.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Election day Is June 9Th. Do not
fail to go to the polls.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

If you have any doubt about being
on the voters list do not fail to see
your district or precinct committee
man.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30
That hiuckleherry story.

Unable to show the voter and rea-
sons why he should vote for candidate
Iakin on account of any personal tit
ness or other qualifications possessed
by him for the high Office which he is
seeking at the hands of the people the
Republican press has sought to create
an undeserved sympathy for him by
alleging that the Hon John T. Nc
Graw, in his speech before the Keyser
convention. stigmatized Mr. Lalxin as
a 'huckleberry picker The inten-
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

If you have any doubt about being
on the voters dist do not fail to see
your district or precinct committee
man.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

IF you have any doubt about being
on the voters list do not fail to see
your district or precinct committee
man.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Election day is Tuesday. June 9th
Do not fail to go to the polls.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

delegates and persons from this coun-
ty got lots of Lakin money at the con-
yention. All these things are motor
ious. common property: so in order to
cover them up and distract attention
a great howl is to be raised and shout
ed over the district that John McGraw
has called the Republican Congress
sional candidate a ''huctleberry pick
err. That slogan. false as lie can be.
viii be expected to rally every Republic
can to the polls to elect Mr. Lakin.
If he picked huckleberries when a
boy 1t is to his credit, not his dis
credit. but it is no more than every
other man raised in the country did In
his boyhood days. At the same time
lit is no special qualification for ser
vice in Congress. nor does 1t justify
corrupt and extrayagant purchase OF
a nomination.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Unless you are sure tnat the asses
sor has you on the voters list do not
fail to make the affidavit that will put
you on.
Election day is Tuesday, June 9Th
Do not fail to go to the polls.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

Blank afiidavits to get on the voting
list can be had from local district or
precinct committeeman,
Do not allow the Republicans to dis
franchise you by keeping your name
off of the voting list.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-30

poinment, and In the end will find him
self called upon to dig down much
deeper in his pockets to meet the de-
mands of the authorities charged with
the duty of providing the necessary
amount of revenues for current ex-
penses Of government, whether State,
county or municipal. And as usual
this hardship will fall most heavily
upon the shoulders of those least able
to bear the burden
On the other hand. everything points
to the almost complete escape Of the
railroads, the vast coal and oil inter
ests, and kindred corporations and
enterprises from any substantial in
crease even in assessment and there
fore not in the amount Of tax paid by
them The rosy and strikingly beau
tiful promises OF those who were bent
upon revolution in the former meth
Cd of assessing property and collect
ing taxes will not bear inspection, as
they have not from the first, and it Is
little wonder that throughout the