Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02
NEITHER PARTY HAS SLOGAN
PARTIES IN WEST VIRGINIA IN
MICAWBER ATTITUDE.
Democrats on Record for Bryan's
denomination, Notwithstanding
81. @. Davis Prefers Gray.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

w. Va, February l, 1908
No campaign slogan has been developed
yet for either the republicans or the
democrats at the special session OF the
legislature. but the game is still young,
as the session is less than q week old.
When Gov Dawson called the solons to-
gether the opinion prevailed, and still
prevails, that the governor had an eye
TO the need OF campaign thunder which
would cause the voters to sit up and
take notice. Former state issues are
rather frayed and novelty is needed
At the present writing the outlook is
good for the temperance question to &C.
cupy front seat on the political stage
Just in what form liquor will be an is
sue remains for the legislative proceed
1ngs Of the next week or two to deter
mine. State regulation Of the liquor
business heretofore has been along
revenue lines rather than state or county
prohibition. AS a question for party
platform attitudes it is a problem and
not an issue.
Neither party is quite ready to go over
into the temperance camp. although
recognizing the force Of a certain we'll
organized sentiment and somewhat fear
full of getting burned by taking up the
wrong end Of the stick. Naturally. being
in the minority, the democrats hope for
a turn of affairs that will embarrass the
republican majority and the administra-
ton. but Gov. Dawson is skillfully hand
ling the ship. and Secretary Of State
Swisher, who hopes to be the next gov
ernor, anticipated the situation by MAX
ing county option one Of his principal
platform planks.
Question Of Revenue.
One Serious aspect Of the problem which
the people have not had fully presented
to them yet arises from the fact that
liquor licenses contribute to the support
of the state government about $500. 600
annually. Prohibition would mean that
some other sourse Of revenue would have
to be substituted or that the taxpayers
who already contribute their property
share would have to contribute the de-
f1ciency. This would mean higher tax
bills. when the efforts Of the administra-
ton for the last four years have been
exerted to the limit to make lower tax
bills.
Higher taxation would fall largely upon
the corporations, which would mean
strenuous and effective opposition. OF
course the democrats have a vision Of all
this and SO has the administration. It is
evident Gov. Dawson prefers county
local option to state prohibition. The
question which started the legislative mill
going this week was on a resolution which
election, to vote for or against an amend
ment to the state constitution, which will
forbid the sale, manufacture or storage
for sale of liquor in West Virginia
While the legislature was asked to vote
on prohibition only, indirectly the effect
on vote of the state as a unit West
Virginia would go dry by an overwhelm-
ing majority. Four-flfths Of the counties
In the state do not grant liquor licenses.
Se, 1%~vf =
put ban on liquor selling in all the
present license counties with the excep-
ton Of Ohio, Kanawha and possibly Nc
Dowell.
CT edit for working up agitation ie given
to the Anti-Saloon League. an organiza-
old in West Virginia But even the men,
bers and supporters of the league are
not united on a solution Of the liquor
problem. While supporting the prohfbi-
with its success by quietly pulling for
county option. This division OF senti-
ment exists to considerable degree. al
though not displayed conspicuously.
On Record for Bryan.
The assembling OF the legislature gave
the democratic members the opportunity
to 60 on record for Bryan. In the face
o. the fact that powerful democrats in
West Virginia do not want the peerless
one renominated. The democratic Joint
caucus, which voted Bryan Endorsement
and an invitation to him to address the
legislature. realized that Henry G: Davis
had declared for Judge Gray. but that
cut no ice. Some of them went SO far
as to say privately that the DISTINGUISHED
octogenarian cannot get the honor OF
being sent to their national convention
this year If he persists in an anti Bryan
attitude Perhaps ex-senator Davis will
not care to 50. but then again. perhaps
he may. He has attended every national
convention Of his party. with one excep-
ton. since 1858
John Tierney Of Blueheld, a prominent
coal operator and lifelong democrat, an
nourced this week that he will support
the republican ticket II Bryan is nomi-
mated His sentiments are those Of count
less other democrats Of distinction; but
then; is a younger element clamoring for
state leadership which seems to believe
that these OBJECTIONS will b more than
offset at election time by those who
stayeu at home when Judge Parker was
the nominee.
These Want the Honor.
George !. Neal Of Huntington. who was