Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-08-01


IT is announced that the United
States authorities will institute pro.
ceedings to destroy the Powder Trust.
This will be hard thing to do, for
was not the head of the Powder Trust
last year elected United States Sen
ator for the express purpose OF taking
care Of this monopoly
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The line up is being formed in
West Virginia-the corporations on
one side and the advocates of tax
reform upon the other. 1t will be a
sorry day for the people of this State
when they allow the railroads to name
the candidates of either party for the
State Offices and the Legislature, for
if they are victorious off will come
the taxes from the corporations and
back they will 60 upon the people.
THE action of the FIRE insurance
companies in arbitrarily increasing
their rates in 80 many localities in
West Vii ginia is causing much COM
ment, ana our State officials are con-
sidering the question Of enacting laws
to restrain the greedy inclinations of
the insurance trust.
1t has been suggested, in view of
the fact that there is now no law to
prevent the insurance trust from
practicing extortion, that Governor
Dawson call an extra session of the
Legislature to enact the necessary
measures. Somehow or other, we
think that it ought to be done.
THE fight between the State and
United States courts in North Caro-
lima over the refusal of the Southern
Railway to obey the State law pro-
viding for lower railroad fares has
ended In a victory for the State. The
railroad company has agreed to put
the rate OF 81 cents mile into effect
on August 9Th and continue it until
the matter shall have been finally de.
cided by the United States Supreme
Court. To the courage and determi-
nation Of Governor Glenn is largely
due this result, and in an address to
the people the Governor says: ut is
a great victory for States rights
against Federal interference. 1t will
teach utility corporations that while
the State will treat them fairly it
will not tolerate their trying to con-
troll the State"
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THE State authorities of Virginia,
it is announced, will disregard the in.
junction of Federal Judge Pritchard
restraining them from putting into
effect the two-cent railroad rate law,
and will use all the powers of the
State to enforce the legislative enact
ment. Governor Swanson says
"The order of Judge Prltchard is out
rageous. The rights and dignity of
the State will be maintained to the
fullest extent, AMI it is my purpose to
see that this law is enforced. To do
this / shall exercise all the powers
possessed by me as Governor" The
people of the State and of the country
will stand BY Governor Swanson and
his colleagues in their determination
to make the railroads obey the law
and to resist the usurpation of power
by federal judge.
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The Greenbrier Independent, edited
by our able and conservative friend,
Col. Thos. H. Dennis, after quoting a
remark of the REGISTER relating to
tax reform in West Virginia, adds:
Like the REGISTER, the independent
approves what has been accomplished
In the way of tax reform and hopes
that neither party will nominate next
year any man who would seek to undo
what has been done. The new tax
laws have done much to equalize taxa
ton. Certainly they have brought the
railroads and other public service COR
porations TO the scratch and forced
them to bear their proportion of the
public burden, which they had hereto
fore escaped. The Independent will
not be able TO support with enthusiasm
any candidate for Governor not in SYM
pathy with reforms already accom-
plished.
Col. Dennis expresses the sentiment
of many reasonable Democrats in this
State. The issue of taxation has.now
passed beyond party lines and must
be considered on its merits, regard
less Of other policies. We are for the
presen. system. with such additions
as are yet necessary to perfect it, and
shall stand firmly by our co lviction.