West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-03-16

P'S"SS NuS people anu 90 luSNce 10
ourselves without the spirits. We
realize the great disappointment il
will be to our friends throughout the
State, State which will soon pass
into our hands for the next four
years, il not forever q"
We all felt the disappointment
keenly for We had every evidence to
think that the investigation would
enliven the monotony which was
upon us by so much talking. II
was our judgement that something
should be done to stop the leakage
in the Graft, Grating in the hands
of a few is all right, and the profits
accruing therefrom will permit YOU to
live handsomely. But when overy
one engages in the business II causes
an over production and leads up to
panic. cannot illustrate this
better than to recall TO the memory
OF the older citizens OF Preston
when the shook and stavc industry
in the Banner county challenged the
admiration of the world. Al FIRST it
was in the hands Of few and they
grew rich and built many mansions,
and when the contribution box was
passed around on Sunday by such
christian models MS myself, John O.
WhetseIl, Deacon Brown, Comrade
Shaw, Gov. Dawson, and many more
whom l could name, the shook and
staye gentlemen would drop a gold
coin of penny weight that sorely
tempted my christian spirit. But /
can truthfully say never exchanged
one for a copper coin Of the same
penny weight. SO the shook and
stave industry grew and prospcred
until the people began to flock to
Preston from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. Every little hamlet ia the
county became a thriving shook and
stave industry. Those who were
not wearing diamonds were dream
ing of them. Then the panic in
shook and slaves came. The result
of over production. Too many in
the business Until this day lin
Smoot, Charley Ellis, Jay Bonafcld,
Charley Craig, Deck Howe and
scores OF others who were caught by
the over production OF shocks and
slaves and squeezed will not men.
tion it outside the Bible class
When reflect back over those DAYS
| can recall but one man who cscap-
ed the shook and stavc panic. That
man was Gov. William Mercer Ow-
ems Dawson While the shook aud
stayc tidal wave was splashing
against the million mark Gov. Daw-
son rode it, but when it began to re.
cede he left the tidal wave and took
passage on the political boat which
he has been padding in until he fell
heir to the ship OF State which be
proposes to sail IN for four years.
Some people would call this duck, ."
but if they knew the many hours The
Governor put in figuring for this
duck" and keeping the other boys
chasing the rainbow they would
change their mind / have been
one Of his faithful rainbow chascrs
ever since / returned from the war.
For my fidelity to him / am to re.
main in Charleston for the ncxt four
years / am negotiating with the
Governor to have Comrade Lee
Snaw brought down here as the field
is larger and it viii give him a bet
ter opportunity to keep his bond.
dres and campfres burning.
/ must tell our friends back in
Preston, who arc loyal and true TO
our political teachings, that sena-
tors Elkins and Scott made no mis-
take when they refused to allow
Mediums White and Caldwell 10
handle the spirits at The investIqa.
ton. Had those spirits got loose
In the investigating committee room
there would have been no occasion
for to call upon the spirits for he
next few years. And as for grating,
IL would have suffered The same fate
Of thc shook and stavc industry.
The people would have discover
ihc enormous profits in grating audi
would forthwith come Co Charleston
and engage in the business Asitts
the profession is crowded and
times standing room SIS ata premium
G-eat preparations have been
made Tor thc Governor BaIlwheh
takes place on the night Of March
/ 3rd On the morning Of the 4lb he
will be inauguratcd Governor /
have so many cxacting social mnc.
tions TO perform between now and
thcn that my friends back iu Pres