The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-09-29
Preserve the rax Laws.


The Republicans Of this state and
many Democrats are deeply impress
ed with the necessity of carefully
looking after the election of the Re
publican nominees for the state SEN
ate and the house of delegates, the
two constituting the legislature,
which makes the laws OF the state.
In every instance the candidates
are pledged either in their platforms
or the platform of the party as a
state organization to the tax reform
system. In most instances the SEN
atorial and delegate platforms are
plainly and unequivocally for further
ance of the Dawson tax laws, and the
state platform pledges all the candi-
dates, who are not Pledged in coun-
ty platforms, to those great measures
in the interest OF the common people
in equalization and reduction of
taxes.
1t is a we'll known fact that the
Democratic party four years ago,
when the tax reform issue was so
much before the people, pandered to
corporate md other wealth to such
an extent that its nominee was the
recognized exponent and advocate of
those who were wealthy as against
the average citizen. After the election
and the defeat OF the Democratic can
didate for governor it was admitted
generally by his own party that he
would have played that role, If he
had been elected governor and that
the Dawson tax-equaIity and tax-re-
duction laws would not have been
placed on the statuee books.
The same forces, which were be-
hind John j. Cornwell then are be-
hind Louis Bennett and the remand
er of the Democratic ticket today.
Every Democratic senator or dele
gate will be expected to bow in sub
mission to these forces. The Dem
ocratic state platform itself gives rise
to suspicion, and there is every rea-
son to believe that Democratic legis-
lature would repeal the reform tax
laws and make such legislation as
existed years ago and before the Re-
publlcans took the matter in hand
with the determination OF lifting the
burden of taxation from the average
properly holder and compelling the
possessors of wealth to pay their
just share.
This feature is amply sufficient to
convince every man, whether Repub-
lican or Democrat, to vote the Re-
publican ticket so that the political
complexion of the legislature will be
such as to guarantee a continuation
and improvement, wherever neces-
sary, of the equal tax system.
The subject is one that the voters
cannot afford TO trife with. They
can not afford to run any risk or to
place the future of the tax system Of
the state in the hands of the Demo-
cratic party and especially the can
didates for the legislature, who, If
elected, will be under the DONNA
ton of the leaders CT the party, who
are known beyond successful denial
or evasion to be the bitter foes of
the system of taxation, which re-
quires the possessors of wealth to
pay their just proportion of the taxes
necessary to run the government.
Not only must the people vote for
the Republican nominees for the
legislature but they must also vote
for the Republican state ticket, If
they would preserve these laws and
keep them intact. A Republican
legislature will see to it that the
tax laws are not repealed and Re-
publican governor and other state Of
flcials will see to it that the laws as
they are now or may be improved
are executed.