The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-01-16
The CLOUDS ARE RIFTINe

The clear blue Of bright Republi-
can sky is once more gladdening the
& hearts Of loyal members of the Grand
old; Party in West Virginia. When
brought down to the final analysts, the
differences which seemed to threat,
en- disaster have been largely imag.
mary and the fighting thus far has
been practically a paper fusillade and
nobody has been hurt seriously
enough to be entitled to a pension. 1t
is still about ten months before the
real battle Of the ballots will take
place and every indication now points
to harmony in the rank and file of the
party on the main question at issue.
the tax proposition. The West Vlr'
.fginian stated several weeks ago that
the so-called insurgent Republicans
would abandon their fight on the new
tax laws, and there are no longer any
papers Of Importance making even an
attempt along that line. One or two
whose editors personally dislike Gov
ernor Dawson, occasionally vent their
spleen a little on the subject, but
their efrustons amount to but little,
ne general feeling throughout the
State is one Of harmony on the tax
issue. The tax fight having been
abandoned, we were promised an on
slauEht on the State House machine"
That failed TO raaterialIze and It now
seems entirely probable that by the
time the campaign gets on in earn
est, that will also be thing Of the
past. To begin with, that proposition
is a very foolish one for man who
really pretends to be Republican
Not a single member Of the so-caiied
machine is a candidate for anything,
and most assuredly Governor Dawson
is not, and SO far as we know, never
Will again be a candidate for office In
West Virginia.
it is absolutely positive that none Of
u he state House officials will be on the
ticket next fall, as no State Offices are.
to 4be filed. Therefore, that fight
spends itself ere It has begun and no
RsbabAeaR has anything TO gain by
it. The question, then, becomes a local
one in each county and the Republic
cans will simply stand for the Re.
publican nominees and the whole
state Win be safely kept in the Repub,
lican fold. The only possible thing
that could be accomplished would be
lthegcreation Of sentiment against the
party, were Democrats to J make gains.
It would be impossible to repeal the
tax laws were that ao9alAsred destra'
BILE. The Republicans have IS of the
is holdoyer Senators, so It will be
impossible for the Democrats to gain
j control Of that body and Governor
Dawson stands pen IN hand ready to
veto any attempt to modifying or be.
pealing the new laws before they have
had q fair chance. So the Democrats
4 who have been taking such roseate
view Of the situation in West Vtr.
4 ginia will at least have to defer their
( pleasures until the change in the
State administration, which will take
place in 1908, and by that time the tax
question will have been settled the Re:
publican way and will be no more
promising to the Democrats as an is.
sue than free trade, free silver or
importation, The rift IN the Replb.
slcads y ndlcates that
Z, fhs pafty % ton and n1beecllity
VII soon he tye85 inoth nus Unite
period % te egtion bast Isuisl;
\ her.
Ihs sssinE d NE pa e becomiie
d pf0lty serinpa iOlse With some PEG