West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-03-29
GOV. DAWSON WON'T
CALL SPECIAL SESSION
VIII Push Railroad Commission as
Issue Before People.

iSNSI OF GoN. Dawson TO the Morg
antown Post:
| have had the matter Of calling
a special session of the Legislature
under consideration. Since writing
your letter, you have evidently seen
the disposition of the Democratic
and insurgent newspapers, which
makes it doubtful whether we could
get anything done that we wan,
done or would have TO accept some
compromise far short OF what ought
to be done. Another obstacle 70
calling a special session is that we
would have to have special elections
in your senatorial district, in this
senatorial district, and in the Lewis
county district to fill vacancies in
the senate. The vacancy here was
caused hy the death of Senator
Browning; in your district, for the
reason that Mr.. Swishet has accept
ed the office OF secretary Of state
and a Lewis county district because
OF the appointment of Senator Cole
TO a United States office. There
are also three vacancies in the house
of delegates, in as many counties.
Another matter which presents
itself TO my mind, rs whether IL
would not be better on the whole
to go before the people of the state
this campaign with a definite pro-
gram, including the tax laws and
railroad legislation. As to the tax
laws, | think we ought to take the
stand that they are right in principle
and that the laws are good. and
should only be amended in such
particulars as experience aud thou
ght have shown them capable OF
amendment, so as TO make them
efficient in attaining the object
aimed at justice and equality in
taxation. There should be no back
track on the tax question.
AS TO the railroad question,
think we should stand for the rail
road COMMISSION OF three persons,
appointed by the governor, (not
elected), with full powers to investi-
gate complaints as to rates, discrim-
nations, facilities, etc, with the
power to prescribe maximum rates,
to prohibit unjust determinations
and to order proper facilities. The
shipper complaining or the railroad
should have the right of appeal TO
courts, but the order of the com
mission should stand until reversed
by the courts. The program should
include also a stringent law pro-
hibiting the issuance of passes or
free transportation to anybody, ex-
cept by a railroad to its actual en-
ployes.
1t seems to me that a program
like this would help us IN the gener-
al election in getting better legis-
lature. But the practical question
is, how to get this program before
the people as party platform, as
we have no state convention this
year. | have no disposition to
put myself above my party, but /
have very definite and earnest views
on these subjects and shall not
hesitate at the proper time to an
nounce them and to ask the people
TO stand by me on them, but
would prefer that these matters he
embodied in the ?srty's program or
platform. Would a meeting OF the
state committee. with all other Re
publicans who care TO attend, which
would form a conference, be a good
and expedient plan TO get such a
program before the people1 /
should be exceedingly glad to hear
from you about this.
expect to make an address on
the railroad qustion in near future to
show the people Of the State the
conditions in respect to the enforce
ment OF our laws. The people have
chosen TO dissipate this power and
place 1t largely IN the hands Of
prosecuting attorneys, over whom
the governor has no sort Of control
or power lie has no power or
control over the Attorney General,
which officer also has no power to
enforce the law or very little except
in few specific cases. The condi.
tion Of affairs in this State as re.
spects machinery for the enforc C.
ment Of the law and the power in
the executive head to enforce the
law, is far different from that Of the
National government
Very respectfully yours.
WIN. NJ. O. DAWSON.