West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-07-23
Are There Any Errors In the Six
Statements Printed?
REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR SECRECY
Figures should lie Made Public-yo-
ters should Carefully Watch
Politicians.
ARTICLE {.

ARTICLE s.
Last April the state Democratic
committee appointed Davis, etc, a
committee TO ascertain and publish
the facts about the debt suit scheme
On June 10 Dawson called his fake
committee for June "a To consult
state officials, aud wrote Davis, etc.
that "if they could not be present
we VIII endeavor TO answer any writ.
ten inquiry you may make" AS
DAVIS, etc, lack leisure to give at.
tention will some state official please
tell us whether any error exists in
any OF the six statements made be-
low1 The state has had accountants
in Richmond tor six months and
doubtless tins information is ready.
If not. IT need not occupy clerk
five hours to examine the documents
referred TO, which are all in Charles
ton, and verify every statement ex.
cept that about the property trans.
ferred under the act OF 1903. The
six statements are:
l. The ordinary expenses of the
Virginia state government we're mo-,
less than $500. 900 in ISa2 and S,,
900, 900 in 1860.
a. The "monies paid into the state
treasury" from West Virginia coun.
ties did not exceed ga, 500 IN 1872
and So47,o7o in 1860.
3. The court must charge West
Virginia on account of "expendi.
lures within her limits" with at
least So, 500, 900 more than the
amount at which the commission of
1871 estimated the roads, etc.
4. IL the ccuit construes the
phrase, expenditures with limits"
to include such disbursements, "with.
IN countless" as the disbursements
for free schools, lunatics in Jail,
militia expenses, etc. then at least
two and a half millions must he
added to the g, 500, 900 at which
the commission OF 1871 estimated
expenditures within limits"
S. In IS2a West Virginia counties
contained 2.4o per cent Of the total
Virginia population; 1919 per cent
of the white and I4.72 per cent of
the federal population. In 1900
West Virginia counties contained
1890 per cent of the total popula.
tom 1890 per cent Of the whites
and a6.83 per cent of the federal
population.
3. The court must charge West
Virginia with not less than S. ooo,.
900 on account of property trans.
ferred to her by The act Of 1863.
IL these six statements are correct,
then the figures in the next article
arc a mathematical demonstration
that, if the court average, the years
IS72 aud 1900, it will bnng West
Virginia Ia debt exceeding thirteen
millions, although taking the view
most favorable to her, and exceeding
nineteen millions If il takes the less
favorable vieu. II this matter were
being managed by proper commis.
sion would il not tell The voters
promptly whether these six state.
menis were correct?
When suit was brought thirty.two
months ago those thinking of The
states safety proposed commission
which would limit our debt TO the
amount spent for roads, etc.
Tbereupon, every disciple ofthe IL
kins Dawson machine said: "While
the ordinance charges the roads, etc,
yet 1t credits taxes paid, and. when
taxes are credited, do not believe
we will owe anything" They have
been repeating this ever s.nce. ri
they are not trying to conceal the
truth TIL after the election, v by does
not some one give the public some
information1 We ask the oldest in
habi,snt whether, within his memory,
was there ever a time when the pub.
lie had so little information about
matter Of such general importance2
The stenographer took down every.
thibs said in the JOINT secret session.
More than twenty members OF the
legislature have stated that nothing
was said which should be concealed
from voters. Why did the Repub
hcsns, subservient to the Elkins.
Dawson machine, defeat the motion
to remove secrecy
LiuIeheld met attorneys June 20,
and they agreed to wait till Novem