West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-02-20
Pair Play" CrlliCiseS the Journal
for Article.
PUBLIC OPINION is MUCH DIVIDED
Prico Street Affair Net the Only One
That Needs Airing Editor Is
Net Consistent.
KrNcwoop, Feb. ~.

hlNOWoop, req, II.
Editor Argus,
The display in the last number OF
the Journal under the caption "Muck
Rake Haul" clearly indicates the
purpose of the author, the ear marks
IT whom are very satisfactory evi-
Ience that 1t originated in the BRAIN
IT the editor Of the Journal, famil-
iarly known as Horatio Seymour
Whetsell TO those unacquainted
with the Kingwood criminal docket
1t would naturally appear that the
unfortunate occurrence on Price
street, from which the Journal makes
IT'S text TO formulate political capital
for the benefit OF it's select gang,
was the only otfense that has been
committed against the peace and
dignity OF the town Tor 10 these
many moons.
While the writer is not prepared
AT tins time To diagnose the merits
ol dement's OF the prosecution re
terred to, it is safe to say that pub
nc opinion is very much divided,
both as To the magnitude of the
crime and on whom the responsible
ity rests. And as one of the parties
has. appealed his case to court for a
full hearing, we deem it entirely out
OF place to discuss il.
1t is a well established fact, how
rver that the Journal is after the
fellow who possessed the moral
courage to prosecute some of the
leaders of the Kingwood ring for
violations of the law who were con
vicied Of the offense charged. While
we have no doubt the officers of the
law had ample and sufficient grounds
for investigating the matter, IT is
surprising that the Journal remained
as silent as death for the past year
or more when all manner of viola
tions OF law and order were rife IN
the town.
IL the Journal is honest in the
rash charges as made against the
Price street offenders, why did it not
move in the matter long since when
certain parties were engaged IN the
Illicit sale Of the damnable stuff that
has ruined a number of the other
wise respectable families of our
town, and which no doubt was re.
sponsible for the Price street fiasco.
The Journal, as well as the officers
Of the town, has known of and has
wlnked at certain violations of the
law that occurred right under its
observation and against which no
word Of protest was made.
The Journal knew thatthe ex-town
officials and the county court had
violated the PLAIN mandates Of The
law in making their financial state.
mcnts. The Journal knew that the
ex-mayor Of the town knew Of those
violations. lie knew that the ex.
prosecuting attorney was cognizant
OF those violations. The Journal
knew that the last grand jury found
true bills against the said officers for
the violations named The Journal
also knew that those bills were not
returned TO the court.
This being true, it is hardly con
sislent that the Journal should now
call up the Price street trouble in
the abuseful mannerin which It did.
TO say the least the Journals posi-
;ion IS a fraud and was only intend
ed as a political bluff. 1f the editor
OF the Journal, as we'll as all other
edilOis, want to advance the moral
interests Of the town, they should
rot cover up the ofenses Of the rich
and influential and peisecutc the
poor and the fallen.
Besides, It is low and cowardly to
kick 1he man or the woman who is
down or upbraid those that are in
the hands Of the law. Ia this civil.
lied Christian land it is dastardly to
advocate mob law, and no gentle.
man nor Christian will do It.. SO
Editor Whctsell had best use his tar
and feathers for some purpose other
tnan degrading the fallen.
FAIR PLAY.