Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-06-29


We recommend that on all con-
tested questions the convention vote
by districts. allowing TO each dis
trict one vote for each G5 votes or
fraction thereof over twelve cast for
John J. Cornwel for governor. And
further. that in voting, the districts
do not vote as unit but allow mi
nority representation.
On motion the report was adopt.
ed.
The committee on resolutions.
through ID. E. French. It's chairmar.
reported as follows:
Resolutions recommended by the
committee on resolutions. Bune
27th. 1908, at the Democratic mass
convention at Princeton. w. Va.
4. The Democratic party of
Mercer county in convention as
sembled. declare and affirm that
the source OF all political power un-
der our form of government is vest
I'd in and remains With the people.
and that the will and voice of
majority OF the people should con-
troll all matters pertaining to our
internal and domestic pffairs. That
government is always the best and
wiecst which governs the least,
consistent with the pubNc welfare.
and which imposes tho fewest and
lightcst burdens on the people As
Democrats we stand for civic right
eousness. economy, uprirhuness and
honesty in thc administration of
our county affairs.
We look with alarm upon the
eXtravagant expenditure of the
peoples money by our county au-
thorities, whether the same has re-
suited from mismanagcment. or
from pelf fraud and corruption. We
condemn the pronigate waste there
Of. and declare in favor OF retrench-
ment. reform and hongst govern
mcnt and declare that the only way
we can have this Is In a full and
complete change OF our county of
ficcrs
a county debt of nearly two hun
dred thousand dollars, created by
our county court, oauses alarm and
suspicion among our people Undue
ing them to believe. and not with
out good reason. that this debt Gre
within the last few years, is with
out merit and without considera-
tion, and the same ~ the result Of
corruption graft and fraud.
We point with pride to the Dem
ocratic administration Of our coun-
~ affairs for a period OF about
twenty-eight years, during which
time there was not n breath OF sus-
picion Of fraud. graft or corrup-
ton against our county tribunal.
and during which time our roads
were kept up; we built bridges, two
court houses (and added to the
sccond) and built n jail; the taxes
were low. the people were not bur
dened, and when we went out Of
power the comfy owed no debt
and the Democratic county admins
tratlon turned over to the incoming
Republican county mis-administra-
ton about $1,000 IN the county
treasury
We pledge ourselves that If we
are restored TO power i'm the county,
we will do all that lies within us to
right the wrongs of the people, and
TO give them honest. righteous and
just government according equal
rights TO all and giving special priv
ilegcs TO none. and upon these de-
clarations we cordially invite all OF
our county mon. whatever political
creed or faith they may have here
tofore adhered TO or cepousad. 10
join ms IN our efforts to overthrow
and turn out the present county of
hcials whose conduct in the past haz
shown them 10 have betrayed their
trust and to be unworthy of the
confidence Of the people.
2. We condemn the Republican
party, and especially the last leg
iHature Of this state. for its re-
fusal 20 submit to the people what
is known as the prohibition amend
ment, and here declare and plcdg
ourselves and our nominees for the
Legislature to vote for The submis-
sion Of the same 20 the people.
whose right 20 vote upon such
amendment is a sacred and inherent
one. and the refusal of the last leg
islaturc to submit said amendment
20 the people was n betrayal Of the
trust reposcd I'm # and should bo
rcbukod by the people at the com
ing election
3. Suffrage is O privilege CON
fcrred by q majority Of the SOW
ercign people OF the state upon her
citizens and not % right; and this
privilege should not bo conferred
upon an unworthy subordinate
electorate. but should be confined TO
the IbcrtyIoving virtUous and lave
abiding people Of the state; and 20
that end. We declare and affirm that
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