Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-08-21

ana QUIET lllt6df NOIAAts Which IL anu
has been Systematically carried on
in many counties of the state by a
ring of corrupt republican officials.
We condemn the republican party
for its Legislation which has had the
tendency to retard the development
of the state, and to prevent the in
PRODUCTION of capital therein for that
purpose We favor the conservation
and development of the natural re-
sources of West Virginia and encour-
age the construction of railroads and
waterways for that purpose and we
recognize the right of the state or
We favor such revision of the tax
expenses of the government honestly
and economically administered, bear
equally upon all kinds OF property,
and not operate to discourage, hamper
or retard the development of the in
dustries and resources of the state.
Denounced for Insincerity.
We believe that al nominations for
the general government to regulate
| feated the very measure for which
their platform so loudly elamored, and
| in their platform Of $685. they aban.
1 election law. In their platform Of
/ 1904, they declared unequIvocally
for such a law. while at the next ses-
sion of the legislature, with both
branches under their control, they de-
4 vfding sufficient revenue to pay the
/ the same.
"We denounce the republican party
of the state West Virginia for the
insincerity and duplicity exhibited by
| its relation co the general primary
laws of the state as will, while pro-
don the general primary rinciple and
/ declare for subterfuge and make
/ shift restricting the compulsory feat
! ure of the law to nominations for
/ state officers.
| public Office state and local should be
made by general primary election and
| pledge ourselves to the enactment
and enforcement of such law.
We favor the establishment of a
| public service commission, having
general supervision over the public
service corporations of the state We
declare for the passage of an ade-
| quate and just registration law, and
condemn the present law as made
quate to protect the purity of the bal
| lot.
We condemn the republican party of
| the state of Vest Virginia for it's in
competency and fragrant neglect of a
great public duty which has resulted
| in the suit of the commonwealth OF
Virginia against the state of West
Virginia, and which now threatens to
cost the taxpayers of this state many
I millions of dollars.
| For the accomplishment of these
ends, the cooperation of all patriotic
citizens is, regardless of past or pres
ent party utilization, most cordially in
| vited. and their contamination in the
event of democracy's success is in
good faith promised
Against the Negro.
The adoption of the two planks re-
ferring to the negro gave the party
leaders a great deal OF concern. They
| believe that without the negro vote
| the republicans of this state cannot
elect ticket and fear that the adop-
| ton of the blanks will bring the two
factions of the republicans together.
| for should the democrats obtain con-
troll of the state and the negro be
disfranc ised the democratic power
would be perpetuated The two Of
tending planks are as follows:
Believing that the extension of
! the elective franchise to a race in
ferior in intelligence and without
prepal alton for the wise and prudent
exercise of privilege so vital to the
maintenance If good government was
mistake, If not crime, committed
by the republican party during the
reign of passion and prejudice and
! passion following the civil war for
political ends and purposes, we de-
clare that the democratic party is in
| favor of so amending the contitution
as to preserve the purity of the bal
lot and the electorate of the state
from the evils resulting from the con-
ferring of such power and privilege
upon those who are untitled to appre-
ciate it's importance and as it affects
4 the stability and preservation of a
/ good government.
! I'VE favor the enactment of a law
requiring common carriers engaged in
/ passenger traffic to furnish separate
coaches or compartments for white
]