The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-10-26
Fine Work Of
w va. Senator

F.. b z
The Journal OF the knights of La
Dor published at Washington, D. c.,
has the following complimentary ar
ticle on Senator Stephen 3. Elkins,
Of West Virginia:
The Senate Is now recognized as the
Legislative branch Of the government
The House Of Representatives Is COM
posed Of persons who come direct
from the people, but he rules adopted
from time to time for It's government,
have placed the power and authority
to leglslate into the hands Of three
men-the committee on rules-and de.
prived the members, as individuals,
from performing any other service
than that Of committee work. This is
Condition and not theory" that,
cOnfronts the people of the United
States: and while 1t continues we must
look to the Senate for the enactment
OF legislation in the interest Of the
people, since that body is sufficiently
strong to compel respectful consider
alton for its measures. from the gen.
tlemen who control the House.
The Senate is composed Of many
bright and brainy men, men upon
whom in view Of the House methods
OF conducting legislation, rests the
gPeat responsibility Of caring for and
protecting not only the particular and
important interests of their State but
the commonweal OF the Republic, We
do not detract from anyone the credit
due him, when we mention in these
columns the Honorable Senator from
West Virginia, Stephen B. Elkins, and
not the questions Of national magni.
tude that he grasps, as well as the
important and vital interests which he
Is required to look after for the State
Of his adoption. Ever since West Vir.
ginia broke the solid South and sent
a Republican to represent it in the
Senate OF the United States, 1t has
never required the services OF a big,
broad.mlnded, intelligent legislator
more than at the present time. Sena-
tor Elkins has nationalized his
thoughts to industrial problems. and
has studied and mastered the require
ments Of his State, familiarized as no
other man has with the needs of his |
constituents, ana this fact coupled
with his knowledge, ability and politi-
cal generalship, has placed him In
the forefront, and enabled him to lead
1t past and safely over the danger
points that now threaten 1t. The coal.
iron, timber and railroad interests of
West Virginia are OF so much import
ant to his people at this time that 1t
would be next to criminal to transfer !
them to the care Of an inexperienced
legislator. West Virginia has many
good and grand men within her Dor
ders, VITO would, In time, make eX.
oallen' State guardians for her partic.
ular interests, but not now.
There is a growing sentiment that
the duty Of 50 per thousand should be
removed from lumber, which, If &C.
complished would as completely de-
stroy that industry in West Virginia,
and stop all labor engaged in 1t, as
though there was not an acre Of tim
Der land in all the State. 1t would re-
luce the price OF timber land to
mere tflhe; and financially destroy all
men who have invested their money
in that enterprise. Picture this CON
dition of affairs, not only for West Vir-
ginia, but for the whole country, when
the question comes up for consldera.
ton In the next House, should our
Democratic friends succeed in control
ling that body.
For years the railroads have been in
the habit Of discriminating, to very
marked degree, against the shippers
and merchants of West Virginia. They
found It almost impossible to get the
necessary cars in which to move their
products to market, while favored
shippers were being fully supplied.