West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-03-23

the new tax laws, something that is
not calculated TO arouse the patrot-
ism which fingers close to their
heait. While my stomach was in
| Charleston my heart was in Preston.
While l am now riding on the crest
of greatness and living like a King
cannot forget my early struggles
in Preston and how my old comrades
would console me when the piewa-
gon passed me by. l would have
! given up in despair had they not
kept urging me on. They pointed
to comrade Shaw as an example Of
what perseverance would do. SO here
am today greater man than Gov.
Dawson, for Bro. Dawson will have
to do all the worrying for the next
four years. As the only real and
genuine Promoter il will be my duty
to worry those who fail TO come to
our terms. We are the Govern
ment for the next four years and it
will be to the interest Of every one
TO recognize this fact.
You have no doubt read all about
the Inauguration of Gov. William
Mercer Owens Dawson. 1t was the
most dazzling and brilliant inaueu-
ration that has taken place in the
history of the State. / have not
fully recovered from 1t yet. 1t was
the crowning glory of my life to see
Billy Dawson inaugurated Governor
of West Virginia. No other man
in the State had such an infauation
for the Goyernorship as my friend
Billy. He would rather be Cover.
nor than right on the tax question.
There were fully 200, 600 people
present to see him inaugurated.
Judge Henry Brannon, OF the Su
preme Court, administered the oath
OF office 1t was trying ordeal
but friend Billy never lost his poise.
When he arose to deliver his inaue-
ural address, which it took friend
Billy and myself six weeks to com
pose. his face was study. The
jaws were firmly set and he was
deathly pale. Raising both hands
up and tremor in his voice, he
said:
"My Dearly Beloved Children:-
This is the happiest hour Of my po.
litical life Words, of which /
have dictionary full, can but faint
ly express my joyfulness. And as
gaze into the sea of faces before
me, and as behold the smile upon
your beaming countenance, know
that you too are happy and content
ed, otherwise you would not be here
doing me this great honor.
81 am glad to say, my beloved
ones, that we are at peace with the
outside world, but sorry to inform
you that we have some internal dis
sensions in our family similar to
those in Russia. AT the present
time we are having some trouble
with band Of Insurgents who defy
my authority. The insurgents have
rebelled against my benevolent and
just tax laws which is the greatest
blessing which has been vouchsafed
TO the people since the Declaration
Of Independence. Next to the Gov
ernorship the new tax laws has caus-
ed me to burn the electric light
longer and deprived me Of more
hours OF sleep than any other prob
lem which have been considering
in the interest Of the common peo-
pie whom dearly love and propose
to protect from the injustice of the
railroads and other corporations who
arc not on friendly terms with us.
intend to change my tax laws from
year to year until the people are
freed from taxation. five can cap
ture The insurgents we will be able
/ 60 accomplish this desired reform
at the next meeting Of the Legisll-
ture. As the Moses Of tax reform
I propose to lead you out Of the
wilderness.
I am sorry that space will not per
init the full speech of Gov. Dawson.
He was particularly felcitous in his
remarks about railroads and warned
them that like Teddy, be had big
stick which he proposed to use on
them If they did not surrender to
him. lt was the opinion Of many
VINO heard the courageous words Of
/ Gov Dawson that The railroads
would surrender their charters and
| 90 back % the stage coaches.
He did not threaten The Standard
oil Company and the gas companies
who are operating in the State for
the benefit Of The people An such
charitable institutions arc to be en-
couraged and exempt from taxation