The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-09-26
)PE0PL FORUM

PElOP.LI | ! J | FORUM B \
/ The Government Of west Virginia.
CHARLESTON, Sept. 20.
! Editor West viFginian:
The Republican party VIII soon be
called upon to select their standard
tbearer for the head Of the ticket in
fthe political battle in 1908. And
while there is plenty Of time to con.
4 slider the claims Of each Of the respec.
tive candidates for this important po.
sltion, YET It is well that the people
begin nov to study and investigate
the records Of those aspiring to this
position, especially upon political
questions that have recently become
the policies of the Republican party
In this State. The principles Of the
grand old party that have made this
country the most prosperous nation in
the world, are still living issues in the
hearts Of the people Of the nation, but
in our little Mountain State, new is.
sues have confronted us which should
receive careful and thoughtful consid-
Grafton for fear that in our effort to
assist our favorite candidate to win
the nomination, we may lose sight OF
these new policies which the party has
made part of the State platform and
allow those who represent in ele.
ment Of the party that cares more for
their personal interests than they do
for the rights of all, to dictate the
platform Of the party in the next Re.
publican convention.
Four years ago the question of tax
reform became the leading issue be,
fore the people of this State. Those
who had The courage to stand for a
more equitable distribution of the bur.
den of taxation we're confronted by
obstacles that seemed unsprmountable
but laboring under wrongs that had
been for years heaped upon them by
laws executed in the interests of
those persons who desired to escape
their lust share of the burden of tax
es, and backed by public sentiment
which had been aroused by a discus.
sion Of these unjust and antiquated
laws, the leaders of both Of the old
political parties saw that the people
o. the State would no longer tolerate
such injustice, and commission was
appointed 10 draft laws to be present
ell to the legislature at their net ses-
sion for their consideration, that would
correct tile wrongs in our tax system.
A great many persons who had profit
ed by these unjust laws on the statute
books at once set about to organize
their forces and If possible thwart the
will of the people in the defeat of any
law tending to make any change IN
our tax laws.
The Republican party true to the
history of the party in the past tool;
up this perplexing question and after
long hard fight in the ranks of the
party, which caused factional feeling
to run so high that many thought the
old party would go down in defeat at
the polls; but the will Of the people
won and the party stool committed
to the enactment OF laws that have
since been placed upon the statute
books OF this State.
The Democratic party true to their
past record took the negative side Of
this great question, and through the
press and on the stump proclaimed
that the laws proposed would not cor
rect the wrongs in our tax system, but
that they would increase our taxes and
drive out Of the State many industries
that would be required to pay addl-
tional taxes on account Of these new
laws. The result of the battle is well
known, and not only those who fought
so hard for tax reform, but all who
believe in Justice in all things are full
convinced that the leaders Of the Re.
publican party were right and that
the Democratic party as usual was
wrong.
Even those who had fought against
any changes in our tax system have
been convinced by their tax bills that
| it pays to be Republican 1t is claim.
ed by some, however, that the tax
question has been definitely settled
and that 1t will not be an issue in the
coming campaign, but this is mis-
take and no one but Democrat should
feel that this question. Is not an is.
sue at this time. The Republican par.
ty today rs in the past stands com.
nitted not only to the execution Of
these laws, but they demand fair
trial at the hands of the people Of the
State. The Republican party stands