The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-10-17
BIG \! NE..EI.. TING |.
ON FIRST DAIY'.OF
!. CIRCUIT COURT

jes W = q y - - y
EOld r. shioned
Joint Discussion
CLAY, W. Va, Oct. 17.-It has in
deed been red letter day for Repub
licanisnl and tax reform in Clay coun
.lty. Tax Commissioner Dillon and
Governor Dawson were billed to speak
at the opening Of circuit court and an
Immense crowd, the largest seen in
! this county for many years, gathered
from all parts Of the country to hear
them, this being one of the counties
lin the State in which nearly every
citizen is benefited by the operation
of the new tax system. The Demo
cratic committee, in order to try to
stem the tide, challenged Mr.. Dillon,
who was billed for the morning meet
/ ing for joint discussion with W, E.
Chiffon. The challenge was promptly
accepted by the chairman of the Re.
publican committee and the fun be-
gan.
Mr.. Dillon, in q speech of one hour,
gave an exposition of the new tax
laws, which delighted the Republicans
and struck dismay to the hearts of
the Democrats. Every sentence Of his
speech was to the point and his earn
estness and straight forward manner
carried conviction even to many OF
the Democratic listeners.
Mr.. Chiffon, in a speech lasting an
hour and quarter, tried in vain to
counteract the effect Of Mr.. Dillon's
logical discussion. No attempt was
made by the speaker to refute the ar
gument, the versatile Mr.. Chiffon con.
fintng himself exclusively to vicious
attacks upon the Republican admins.
tration, charging the governor and
tax commissioner with insincerity and
lack or good faith, and predicting
many dire things that would befall
the people under the administration
of the new tax system in the future,
though compelled to admit that they
we're beneficial to the average tax.
payer this year. Mr.. Chiffon, who Is
the rival OF Colonel McGraw for the
United States Senatorship in case the
legislature this year might by any
chance be Democratic, is not only one
of the most eloquent and logical
speakers in the Democratic party. but
he found himself up against PROPOSE
tion for which. he was not prepared and
from which he could not eXtricate him
self.
Mr.. Dfllon's closing argument, which
lasted only twenty minutes, was per-
hans the most masterful and convinc.
ing bit of oratory ever delivered in this
court house. He completely demollsh'
ed every vestlge Of his opponents ar
gument and won for himself not only
the everlasting love and esteem OF the
Republicans, but the genuine admira
tion of the Democrats as we'll
pawson's Great Speech.
At 2:SO p. m. Governor Dawson was
Introduced to the audience. who we're
still anxious to hear the gospel of tax
reform preached, and for two hours
held their undivided attention, while
he went over the whole subject, leaV'
ing no part untouched. The people OF
Clav county have a particularly warm
feeling for the governor and claim the
proud distinction of having been first
to instruct for him in the memorable
campaign Of 1904, and they showed
their appreciation by the enthusiastic
and undivided attention given him
through his entire speech.
But the tax reform battle did not
end with the afternoon meeting. At
7:SO the people again assembled TO
hear more of it. and were not disap'
poiptei. Judge W. R. Bennett for an
hour and twenty minutes talked tax
reform in a manner peculiarly his own,
during all OF which time his audience
was deeply interested. His arraign'
ment of the Democratic party was so
humorous that he kept the house in
an uproar for the first half of his
speecb after which he got down to
business and discussed the question in
a manner which showed conclusively
that he had a complete grasp of the
subject. No happier hit: was made
than Judge Benefits speech, and the
crowd dispersed in the best humor
possible.
The Republicans are highly pleased
with the results Of the day and the
Democrats correspondingly depressed.
t,lo,, county will give a good account