The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1907-11-21

State has made remarkable progress,
during Republican rule. The annual
distribntable school fund has grown
to three quarters OF million dol.
lars and the length Of the school
term has recently been Increased
from five to SIX months, so that nos
every person of school age In the
State has the advantage o. mill.
mum school term of six months.
There is .et room for improvement,
however, as too much cannot he done
for the education OF the rising gen.
GRAFTON. The boys and girls Of to.
day are the men and women Otto.
morrow. and the ;surest safeguard 81
good government is an intelligent
citizenship. and the surest way to
secure an intelligent citizenship is to
educate the people. believe that
considering the ability required and
the Importance OF their work no class
Of our citizens are so poorly paid az
our school superintendents and
teachers, and ] am heartily in fayor
OF better pay for them.
Good Roads.
Something should also be done to
advance more rapidly the cause OF
good roads. IA move in the right
direction was made by the last leg
islature when they created the ONCE
Of State Highway Inspector. Our
road system Is antiquated and should
be revised. Good roads are bles-
ing to the people. I will do every
thing possible to see that this too
long neglected question receives
more attention than; 1t has In the
past. Linked to the question OF good
roads and inseparable from It is the
question OF agriculture. No inter-
ests in the State will be benefited SO
much by good roads as will the agri-
cultural interests. The Board OF
Agriculture has done much In the
last few years to advance the farm
er's welfare. and 1t should constant
ly be borne in mind that the pros
perity Of the State depends largely
upon the prosperity of the farmer.
Extraordinary effort should be made
to improve the roads and agricultur-
al conditions of the State. The
country highway is as vital to the
farmer as is the railway to the town
OF city.
Virginia Debt.
West Virginia has never repudi-
ataed debt nor an obligation. Our
record as a people is one of fair
play and square deal. West vir-
ginia has never issued any bonds
nor certificates of Indebtedness. and
as State, morally. legally and
periodically, We feel that we owe no
Just share of the ante-bellum debt
of odd Virginia" and our stand has
been taken after painstaking and
competent investigation. The whole
question of the Virginia ante-bellum
debt is now before court of COM
petent Jurisdiction. West Virginia Is
in the Union and abides by the laws
of the Union always. We are neIth-
er repudiationists nor "readjusters, .
but We could never in reason nor out
of reason admit that Virginia had
the right to saddle huge portion of
her ante-bellum debt upon US and
issue so-called West Virginia Certi-
ficates" therefor.
Conclusion.
Having discussed at us much
length as the limits of paper of this
nature permit. what l see to he the
more important questions concerning
our State government. submit my
candidacy to the good people of the
State. I have a profound respect for
the intelligence and wisdom OF the
masses. believe my past official
life wifi fully attest at least quick
recognition of and obedience to their
purposes and desires. and to the
people. therefore. to the rank and
Ale of my party, do 1 confidently APP
peal for support. II the choice shall
fall upon me. l shall appreciate the
high honor and the great RESPONSE
bility. and not use the once as a
stepping stone for private ambition
or personal aggrandizement. but SO
that, at the close OF my term, may
be entitled to the commentator of
all the people, whom shall endeav-
or to serve honestly. conscientious
ly and faithfully.
Very respectfully.
c. W. swlsHER.
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RAILROAD MEN FIGHT.