West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-08-19
Paying the Henchmen.

In n recent letter TO the Wheeling Reg.
lister George Byrne, who is we'll known Ia
the people OF Preston county, gives the
following interesting piece of news:
George @. Cole, now consul to some
where in Alaska, believe, then mem
Der OF the senate from Lewis county, ex-
planned the matterin my hearing in 1904.
lie was insisting that Sam Montgomery
withdraw his opposition to a resolution 10
allow the senate employees extra per diem
oi dollar and two dollars day, accord
ing 10 the amounts they were receiving.
Il am opposed to giving them more. -
| said Montgomery. "They have been very
well paid for all they have done this
winter"
Yes" said Cole, "but we are not pay
ing them for what they have done this
winter; we are paying them for what they
uid IN the campaign last fall"
We fancy the above will prove interest
ing to even the Republican taxpayers of
Preston county. 1t was in 1905 that we
got the first dose of TAX reform" Sena-
tor Cole was simply trying to do that
which the Republican machine had in
structed it, members TO do. 10 see 10 IL
that the henchmen were paid out of the
state treasury for the work they did in
the campaign Of 1904 for the Republican
party. All honor 10 Senator Sam Mont
gomery for his manly fight against sucb
raid on the state treasury. We have
always had faith in Sam Montgomery =
honesty a. public servant in dealing
fairly with the people
Slowly the real cause for "tax REFORM
is coming 70 the surface II may be the
means of even convincing Republican tax
payers why the Dawson administration
cost 1906, $50 MORE than the MacCor.
kie administration. II will explain also
why new offices are being created every
time the legislature meets. They want to
pay the henchmen for the work they do
m the campaigns for the Republican party.
which means the machine. Now, If the
Republican taxpayers are 20 patriotic that
they are willing to be- taxed out oil house
and home % keep the office trust i'm power
we must confess that We do not believe II
D. the kind OF patriotism that actuates
tne brave and honest men. AID we don't
believe that the Republicans Of Preston
county will stand for il any longer. for
they have proven themselves both honest
and brave. We want TO say b. the Re
puDiican- Of Preston county frankly that
thc trouble with them for years has been
that they have allowed their political
prejudice ~ cloud their better Judgment
They have accepted as truth and GOSPEL
what the Republican machine newspa.
pers have been telling them and would
not take the time 90 investigate for them.
selves what The opposition prrss has been
saying about the Republican machine
we have repeatedly stated that we did
not want the Republican. ~ believe any
statement made by THg ARGrs. unless a
personal investigation proved its truth.
IpiHes We have pointed out to the Re.
publican. on many occasions where the
Republican machine hss taken no Office.
hunting Democrats and given them the
BOT ofiIce 40 its dipgsaI while tho lie.
long and deserving Republicans were
compelled 70 content themselves by "vot.
ing the ticket straight" This I'm t-olf
should have convinced Republican, that
ue machine had no POLITICAL PRIN.
ClPLks and that IL wss using the name
o. TIE Republican party Tor political pelf
IL is indeed gratifying % note that The
Republicans Of Preston have az last got.
sen their eyes open and that they have re-.
solved 20 restore the party 70 the hands Of
men who are Republicans from principle.