West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-30
TERRA ALTA FRIGHTENED
Knowing the People Are Against Re-
location OF County Seat
SHB SHOWS TaB WHITE FEATHER
Her Newspaper OeHes the Voters
and Tries TO Howl Them
Oown-Not Sincere.
Editor Argus;

Editor Argus;
Terra Altans are now thoroughly scared.
A a dozen Spectators of Terra Alta
for the past month have been knowing
heaven and earth" to try to create a
sentiment in the county in favor of tho
relocation OF the county scat. They have
spent much money and valuable time
getting signers 10 petitions. They have
pretty thoroughly canvasscd the county.
and claim To have a sufficient number of
names on their petitions to call for a vote
on the subject. Since the completion of
this petition getting the Terra Altans
have had their eyes opened. They know,
as every thinking person knows, that the
voters OF Preston will never decide 10
locate the county seat at any remote
corner OF the county.
The spectators and the imported editor
OF the Republican have learned from
mingling with the people that they are
whipped TO a standstill, and further they
know that scores of people who signed
the petition told them ut the time they
would not vote for Terra Alta, and scores
OF other signcrs have let il be known since
that they never intended To so vote.
Then they mingled with the Jurors and
Others Mt the December court, and they
werc absolutely knocked silly" 10y the
unanimous turn down they got. So they
are desperate, and in last weeks Terra
Alta Republican the editor, who, 10y the
way, takes himself entirely too seriously,
tries to bulldozc and defy the voters of
the county and the county court, and in
sists ON the very thing that he denounced
but a week before.
lie now insists that the new courthouse
must be built 10y direct levy, and not by
bonds.
But he does not stop at that. He has
a right to entertain that view, and ex-
press il, IL he IL sincere. But he is not
sincere. He goes further, and insists,
boldly and h%razenly insists, that the pco-
pie be not given n chance to say whether
the new courthouse shall be built by bonds
or by direct levy.
lie and his Terra Alta hackers say 10
the voters; lyon shall not build the
new courthouse by n bond issue, and you
shalt not even bc given a chance 10 vote
for or against bonds"
Who has set up this Terra Alta paper
and It's editor and the "six spcculators''
as dictators for the voters of this county?
The editor Of that paper has scarcely been
in the county long enough TO gain a resi-
dence, and yet he ~arrogates 10 himself
the right TO say TO you people of Preston
that you shall or you shall not vote on
this or that public question. And IL O
desire TO do so he calls you "schemers''
and "tricksters," and impugns your
motives and claims you are trying 10
"hurt Terra Alta"
Has not he county court decided that
a new courthouse il needed. Does not
the Terra Alta newspaper 80 decide? II
does 30, very strongly in its last issue.
The very same Terra Alta ring. the
six spectators" advocated the build
ing Of a large new commodious court
house ut Kingwood on the present site
within two months past. They not only
did that, but urged the county court TO
purchase the additional territory and de-
clared that the price asked was a reason
able one. The Portland district com
missioner voted for this, with the knowl-
edge and consent and approval Of this
same Terra Alta ring.
Now, after having first urged and then
sanctioned this very proper action of the
county court, that same ring is denounc-
ing the county u for this very action.
There is fairness and honesty" for you
with a vengcancel There are your gen
uine "tricksters" and ''schemers' trying
TO deceive and hoodwink the people!
Denying the people the right 20 vote at
all! But they are ratified. They know