Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-07-18
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We recommend the work OF the
state board OF agriculture and the
acts of the legislature in furnishing
means 10 encourage The pursuit oil
farming I'M our state. We heartily
favor continuance of the policy OF
encouraging the development of ag-
riculture and horticulture in our state.
We commend the work of the ses-
sions of the legislature during the
present administration, and the SEES
sions of 1904 and 1906 of the previous
administration. In the main, and to
a greater degree than usual, the laws
enacted by these bodie have been well
considered and have filled a public
want. We especial commend. the
excellent work of the called session
of this year, which, in quantity and
quality of legislation enacted compar-
ed to length of term is seldom sur
passed.
West Virginia republicans have
good reasons to be proud of the great
advances made by their state in the
past twelve years Of republican adj
mdnistration. The growth and devel-
opment of these dozen years is great
er than the entire twenty-five years
of preceding democratic RUE. In this
period Of republican dominance the
fee system in both state and county
Offices has been abolished; the con-
stitution has been amended in needed
and important particulars, many of
orr statutes amended and revised, and
many needed and excellent new laws
eacted. Taxes on the property of the
people have been greatly reduced and
equalized.
In all these good works and re-
forms candor compels MS to say that
the action of the democratic party has
been childish, reactionary and un-
patriotic. Nearly all the good things
accomplished in this state since
March 4, 1897 it has opposed. 1t has
been the party of negation and OBJ
strEction in West Virginia. as 1t has
been in the nation. It's platforms on
the tax question in 1904 was a ridicu-
lous and unmeanfng straddle-so
much so, indeed, that ii was scarcely
ever referred to by it's creators and
newspapers. 1t has with great regu-
larity opposed that which was pro-
posed by the majority, apparently be.
cause it was so proposed. 1t has ap.
portant question that has come mp m
the Legislature from the point of view
OF how to make the most PARTY cap
ital" out OF it, and not as to how they
could best benefit the state.
Among the good laws passed by the
extra session of the legislature of 1908
we especially commend that resulat-
ing and limiting the expenditure of
public money. and also that providing
for strict and stringent accounting
of public funds by all persons and
boards and institutions entrusted
with their custody or expenditure.
We regret the failure of the bill.
which passed the senate, to become
a law which had for its purpose the
definite fixing of the number and COM
pensation Of the officers and employees
of the legislature We insist that
srch law be enacted at the next
session.
We favor the protection of West
Virginia's forests, its waters, soil, and
mineral resources, by reasonable regu-
lations whereby needless waste may
be checked, and the damage from for
est fires, periodical floods, erosion,
and drouths may be lessened so far
as practicable, and the future produc-
ton of lumber for the use of the peo-
pie may be assured
We commend the wise and able adj
ADMINISTRATION of Governor w. M O.
Dawson He brought to his high Of
flee a we'll trained mind in public af-
fairs, both in statecraft and in execu-
tive capacity His administration has
been signalized by wise management
and scrupulous fidelity to the peoples
best interest and has reflected great
honor upon the state. In accomplish
ments it has marked an epoch in the
states history. We regret the impair
ment OF his health. which has render
ed it imperative that he take an en-.
forced rest. and we send him greet
ings with earnest assurances of our
sympathy and hope for speedy re-
covery and full resumption Of his du-
ties.