West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-10-01
The PitfaII.

fight in Preston county for clean
politics and a square deal has been
an uphill fight. The odds against
it have been great. But it has
never wavered. When others
thought to continue the fight was
a hopeless task, THE ARGUS was
lspurred on to greater efforts to
arouse the people to their danger.
1t had faith in the people and be-
lieved when the indisputable facts
were laid before them they would
be quick to act.
1t warned them time and again
that the Dawson tax laws were
for the sole purpose of diverting
attention from the extravagant
squandering of their money and
that "tax reform" would bring no
redress. Time and again it re-
minded them that with the stu
pendous increase in the state APP
preparations there could be no
reduction in taxation. For this
it was characterized as a "corpor-
alton hireling" by the fawning
organs and henchmen of the ma
chine. But it paid no attention
to the silly vaporings. 1t knew
its vindication would come when
the people, who are always honest,
became thoroughly familiar with
the workings of "tax reform"
| The records show that under
"tax reform" the state appropria-
tons have increased from $2,000,-
600 to $6,000,000, with a deficit
of about 81 100000. Under "tax
reform" the county roads at GER
tain seasons of the year become
impossible and the county bridges
are SO decayed as TO make them
unsafe. Our schools have suffered
greatly under the operations OF
"tax reform" All this the people
are now acquainted with.
| While THE ARGUS feels that it
has been vindicated for the stand
it took against the Dawson fake
tax laws, it does not rejoice in the
vindication, for it is we'll aware
that the people have suffered by
an increase in taxes and incon-
veniences by impossible roads
and unsafe bridges.
1t wants to go on record again
in sounding a note of warning to
the people of Preston county. The
so-called s33, 100000 of West Vir-
ginia certificates which Wall street
claims the state owes is the one
thing for which the Republican
machine wants to elect its state
, ticket and members of the legis-
, lature. If it can elect a legislature
which will pass the necessary APP
preparations to pay the S33, OOO,-
600, and a governor who will
f approve it, the unjust debt will be
fastened upon the honest and God
fearing people Of West Virginia.
, There will be 10 court to which
we can appeal for redress, for the
very fact that we elected a lcgis-
lature which made the appropria-
ton and a governor who approved
it puts it beyond the pale of APP
peal The people are the highest
court, and the fact Of their having
elected such a legislature and gov
ernor stamps 1t with their ap-
prevail
Taxpayers Of Preston county,
beware lest you allow your politi-
cal prejudice to outweigh your
own interests and saddle this un-
just and enormous debt upon the
state Of West Virginia which three
generations cannot wipe out.
Republicans who in 1904 could
see.nothing in the fight which
The ARGUS made against the
Dawson tax laws but partisan
politics" should take double
warning If they are Taxpayers
p they know by this time that The
, ARGUS told the gospel truth. No
one connected with THE ARGUS is
seeking a political Office. 1t would
, fight the Democratic party as bit.
= terly as il is fighting the Repub.
lican machine ticket if the Demo.
cratic party failed to put itself on
record on the 1913, 100000 Of West
Virginia certificates. But the
Democratic party platform comes