Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-09-24

BY George Byrne.

The Huntington Herald Dispatch
finds that / have been throwing mud
in these articles. How anybody can
reach judgment of that kind is be-
You'd me. / have simply taken the
figures from the highest official sourc-
es-the acts of the legislature making
the giving them as
they appear, nothing exteruating, set
ting down naught in mslice. Instead
Of continually trying 10 make it APP
pear that there is some motive, or some
Misrepresentation in what has been
stated, why do not some OF the edito-
rial heaters OF the state go on record
AID dig cut the figures and show
wherein anything has been mis-stst
ed? 1t is because they cannot. And
t1e louder they yelp, and the m ore
they twist and squirm the more the
people will be convinced that the
wrongs pointed out are actual, and
tnat here is something in the state gov
ernment that needs amending.
But right here let me advert to an
Other OF the grating newspaper writ
ers, who could not remain silent I'M
der the posure-and feel like he was
earning his money. Cartain f. f.
II cd, of the Charleston Mail, Is the
latest TO take Sup the cudgel. And
what does he say? That the figures
quoted were wrong. Not on your life,
for he knows they were correct. He
speaks of the increase, expense neces-
sary to run the state of West Virginia
in "these latter days. Nobody better
G iemplifies the graft of "these latter
days" that this same Hood, and there
in also lies the reason for his attempt
! ed defence. In 1897, Hood was chief
clerk Of the house of delegates, and
was a candidate in 1901, when next
the house was republican, but was de-
feated. He was made assistant clerk
at S6 day, and was sIven 81 a day
extra for the session by resolution on
the last day, besides being given con-
siderable extra time He was again a
candidate in 1903, but owing TO the ao-
tivity of Dawson against him the
reason gwen by Dawson being very
uncomplimentary one-was defeated,
and failed to connect with any job at
all. In 1905, he was private secretary
To Speaker Grosscup, the job being one
OF pure graft, because the speaker had
IL addition stenographer, and the
private secretary had nothing what
ever to do. He did sit al the speakers
side during the sessions, and prompt
him in parliamentary procedure, but
he is so VIGOROUSLY bad parliament
tartan that his prompting was worse
than no service ut all. Well he got So
a day salary, was voted 81 day extra
on the last day of the session, and was
also given an extension of 80 days, on
fun pay, with absolutely nothing to
do. in 1907, he managed to hook on to
the movement that carried Joe McDer-
mott into the Presidents chair in the
! Senate, and became his private secre-
tsry at the inevitable So per day, with
the 81 added money and the exters SION
of time on full gay after the end of the
session. Since 1901, he has yanked
over 81 200 from the state treasury,
iand he has not done ten days
honest work for the state in return.
The jobs he held simply sdid not call
fer the work.
Since the close OF the last session,
Editor Hood has been made secretary
OF the commission, appointed to draw
up municipal code for the state, and
understand his salary is SO a day,
while the commission is at work. 1t
NAV not be that much. If it is one dol
lar il is more than he will earn for the
state The 20 sition is one graft, pure
and simple.
In addition to the perso lal debt Of his
editor, the Mail itself is most natural
apologist for anything the State adj
ministratiop light do, holding as it
does, the contract for the State print
ing. and in view fthe tremendous ,ir-
crease in the printing appropriat on
in the last few years.