Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-26
BAN ON 2-CENT FARES
BOTH PARTIES IN WEST VIR-
GINA FIGHT SHY.

Special Correspondence OF The Star.
WHEELING, w. Va, August %, 1906.
Just when political conventions of both
parties were tumbling over themselves to
declare for a two-cent railroad passenger
fare the movement has been jerked up
short, right on the beginning of the cam
paign. Gov. Dawson fatty opposes it. That
he was not partial to the agitation was set
forth in these columns four months ago,
but the governor did not go on record until
this week.
Attending the eighth district republican
state senatorial convention as a spectator
and later called on for a speech, he re-
ferred to the sweep of the two-cent cru
SADIE and declared that the lower fare
would work an unjust hardship on many
of the smaller railroads in West Virginia,
even though II could be granted by the
trunk lines. The governor argued effective
1y against the step as being untimely and
radical. His remarks followed his defense
of the new assessments of the railroads
and a general explanation of his attitude
of fairness to railroads and other corpor-
ate interests.
Any political capital the democrats might
extract from his frank opposition must be
neutraliZed by the action of their congress
sional convention at Clarksburg the day
following, which defeated the plank offered
by Delegate William NJ. Kincaid the COM
moner, of Marshall county. Through the
leadership of o. S. Mckinney of Marion,
a majority of the convention voted against
the plank on the theory that II was an
issue for the state legislature and not for
the federal body. That arguments logic
was impaired, however, by the adoption of
plank on state taxation. Consequently
the republicans will be prepared to meet
expected democratic attacks on the gov
ernor's position.
Live Topic in the State.
Railroad regulation in various forms has
been a live topic for campaign discussion,
and the two-cent fare proposition is sure
to be paramounted henceforth, in the hope
of embarrassing Gov. Dawson, who shares
with Senator Elkins in the recognized re-
publican leadership.
Republican and democratic legislative
conventions have Wed with each other in
adopting urgent two-cent fare resolutions
and instructed their nominees accordingly
The fight for its accomplishment will be
carried into the legislature, but very recent
events are significant. And the prediction
Is here made that West Virginians will
have to wait several years before they
ride around at a two-cent clip. The excess
mileage charge on mileage books will, how
ever, undoubtedly be dealt fatal blow.
The Clarksburg convention which NOM
mated ex-Attorney General Thomas Riley
to oppose his republican ow-Wheeling-
ite, w. p. Hubbard. drafted a platform
rfvaling In length any ever devised by
national convention. On the score of
crowded accommodations there was ex-
cuse for leaving out two-cent fare affirma
lions. The platform. which is said to be
the handwork of John j. Davis, a veteran
democrat of Harrison quotes a large sec
lion of Justice Brewers Hot Springs, ad-
dress. in lamentation against the tenden-
cy TO Capitalization of power at Washing
ton. and IL eventually concludes with an ex-
hortation to the yout., of the land ito
Join hands in restoring the traditions of the
republic and the high ideals of govern
ment held by their forefathers."
For Bryan While He Lives
Bryan was Endorsed with whoop for 1908,
and one delegate wanted the Endorsement
for the peerless one for President to last
cas- long as he has breath in his body"
President Roosevelt was praised for fol-
lowing the trail blazed by Bryan, and credit
for rate regulation was given to Senators
LaFollette and Tillman.
Mr.. Riley, the nominee for Congress, II