The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1908-07-09

MINIMUM term Of QMrs puDAC NGc00OIB
has been increased fiftys per cent.
Within the same period other dis
tinct advances have been made in our
system of public Il education. We
heartily favor tho continuation OF
this good work, and all possible aid
to the common schools, as we'll as.
the generous support OF the other
= We cmmend the work OF the State
Board of Agriculture and the acts of
the Legislature In furnishing means
to encourage the pursuit OF farming
In our state. We heartily favor~a
continuance Of the policy Of enco1r-
aging the development of agriculture
and horticulture in our state. e.
+ We commend the work OF the ses-
sions Of the legislature during the
present administration, and the ses-
sions Of 1904 and Of 1906 of the pre-
vious administration. In the main,
and to greater degree than usual,
the laws enacted by these bodies
have been we'll considered and have
filled public want. We especially
commend the excellent work of the
called session of this year. which, In
quantity and quality on legislation,
enacted compared to length /of the
term, is seldom surpassed. .
West Virginia republicans have
good reason to be proud of the great
advances made by their state in the
past twelve years Of republican ad-
mfnistration. The growth and de-
velopment OF these. dozen, years is
greater than that Of the entire TWEEN
:ty-fiye years Of preceding democratic
rule In this period of republican
dominance the fee system in both
state and county. Offices has been
abolished; the constitution HAS been
amended in needed and important
particulars, many of our statutes
amended and revised, and many
needed and excellent new laws en-
acted. Taxes on the property of the
people have been greatly reduced and
equalized. : r.
In all these good works and re-
forms candor. compels us to say that
the. action of the democratic party
has been childish, reactionary and
unpatriotic. Nearly all the good
things accomplished In this state
.since March 4, 1897, it has opposed.
It has been the party of negation and
obstruction In West Virginia, as 1t
has been in the nation. It's platform
on the tax question in 1904 was a
ridiculous and unmeaning; straddle-
50 much SO, indeed, that it was
scarcely eyer referred, to by its crea-
tors or newspapers. 1t has with great
regularity. opposed that which was
proposed by the majority, apparently
because twas so proposed, 1t has
apparently considered nearly every
important question that has come I'D
In the legislature from the point of
view Of how they could make the
most party capital out of 1T, and
not as to how they could best benefit
the state. 80. IT,.
Among the good laws passed by
the extra session of the legislature of
1898 we especially commend that
regulating and limiting the expendi-
| ture of public money, and also that
providing for a strict and stringent
accounting Of public funds by all per-
sons and boards and institutions en-
trusted with their custody or expen-
| diture. -. Sd.
We regret the failure of the bill,
| which passed the senate, to become a
law, which had for it's purpose the
definite fixing of the number and
| compensation of the officers and en-
ployes Of the legislature. We insist
that such law be enacted at the
| next session.
= We favor the protection Of West
Virginia's forests, it's waters, soil,
and mineral" resources, by reasonable
regulations, whereby needless waste
may be checked, and the damage
from forest fires, periodic floods, ero-
sion, and drouths may be lessened so
far as practicable, and the future
production Of Timber for the use of
the people may be assured.
l. We commend the wise and able
administration of Governor WIN. M.
0. Dawson. He brought to his high
office a well trained mind In public
affairs, both in statecraft and In ex-
ecutive capacity. His administration
has been sfgnaftzed by Wise manage=
ment and scrupnlous fidelity to the
peoples best interest and has reflect
ed great honor upon the state. In
accomplishments It has marked an
epoch In the states history. We re-
greet the impairment OF his health. :
which has rendered it imperative
that he take an enforced rest, and we.
send him greetings with earnest as
surances of our sympathy and hone
for speedy recovery and full re-
sumption of his duties. ,