West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-06-04
Wheeling lntsllissneer Answers ]. A.
Lenhart.
WILL NOT FOLLOW PROCESSION
Republican Gubernatorial Situation,
Little 10 Inspire Enthusiasm
In Party.

| 49," > - i'NHuait, OF iTSStOn
county ailudins 10 certain comments
the lntelligencet has made on the
Preston county Urinary. 1t will be
observed tha, Mr.. Lenhart writes
with some aoerbit,; bu, the Inteli
gencer believes that it can afford TO
overlook number OF his chastc and
elegant expressions in order to pre-
sent and properly answer his stt,e
ment. The kernel of Mr.. Lenhart's
sentences is contained IN the follow
ing;
Just go back To the time when
you were advocating tax reform and
read some of your editorials, Then
Imagine yourself advocating Arnold
Scherr for governor. when, if YOU
know anything, you know greater
enemy OF The tax law does not live
IA West Virginia"
The lntelligencer is under obliea.
| uons TO Mr.. leLhart for stating these
propositions SO precisely. We pre-.
sumo he considers himself tax re.
former. If SO, let hun imagine him
sell advocating the nomination for
governor OF CIV Swishcr, who voted
IN the state senate to deny hearing
or consideration to the tax laws; who
was never known as an advocate OF
tax reform until he was nominated
Tor secretary OF state, and whose
service in the tax reform cause has
been exactly the same in value as
that Of Mr.. Scherr, and that value
rs best represented by zero.
The lntelligcncer has not abated
one jot m IT'S enthusiasm for the
cause of tax reform; but it does not
hope or expect any substantial adj
vance IN that cause TO be made un.
der an administration that is headed
by either &. w. Swisher or Arnold
&. Scherr. One of the most impor-
tant questions ;he state has vet to
decide is the proper and equitable
taxation of great coal, oil, and gas
properties. 1t is notorious that the
great coal companies of this state
are still paying taxes on a very small
proportion of their holdings. Does
MIR. Ienhart IN his Preston county
innocence suppose that that there
VIII be much progress made in
equalizing these taxes under an adj
mlnistrauon brought into power by
the support Of Samuel Dixon, of
tayeite county; Isaac +. Mann, of
Mercer county, and G.. w. Watson,
OF Marion county, These are worthy
gentlemen. The Intelligencer does
not criticise them for protecting
their interests; but for itself II begs
TO be excused from further follow
ing the tax reform procession when
its leadership falls into such hands.
AS for the conference Of the Ohio
county Republican committee. il is
sufficient to say that the Ohio coun-
ty committee did exactly what the
Preston county committee refused
TO do. 1t held free and fair pri-
mary. 1t invited all the candidates
who desired to enter 1t. 1t expressly
invited all candidates for governor
and auditor - enter; and the com.
mittee IS IN no way responsible for
the fact that none OF the candidates
opposing Mr.. Hearne and Mr.. Hall
chose TO contest with them IN Ohio
county.
1t did all that was possible to Sc
cure fair and full expression Of
Republican sentiment IN Ohio conn.
~. That is exactly what the Preston
county committee refused to do,
and 1t is the general belief that il
refused TO do it because it feared
that the voters would name Scherr
delegation if they had The oppor
tuuity
More important than the acton
of committees, more important than
the question OF tax reform, is the
question whether or not the person.
atty, record, and character OF q
candidate are such as to commend
him 10 the voters and to lnspire
confidence on his conduct Of high
office. That is the question the
Republican party must consider
carefully and the Intellieencer hopes
will decide wisely. -Four years ago
the Republican voters 81 the state
fought for great principle. They
were inspired by enthusiasm for q
brighter cause. Whatever the faplt.
that cause has ceased TO be factor.
There is hule in the prcsen, siiua.
ton 70 inspire The enthusiasm o,
Republicans. Let us hope that ar
ter the Charleston convention meet,
there will not be less
Look ont frr lrnrhlr IN C...