West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-30

the people aro against them; that they
are defeated. They are afraid to trust
the people. they are afraid Of a vote.
Why1 Because they know they are
wrong, and that the vote will conclusive
ly show this.
Hem is N OF the arguIncnts(G) in
Terra Atlas last weeks paper:
Terra Alta says we do not need a
bond election, because we are all against
1t, and no bonds ao needed anyway"
Is Terra Alta the whole county, Docs
this Terra Alta newspaper speak for the
whole county,
This same Terra Alta newspaper dc.
cides ultimately just what kind OF court
house shall BE- built, Just where il shall
be built, just what il shall cost, that IL
shall be built by direct levy and not 10y
bonds, and that the people shall not even
have the right TO vote OF how their money
shall be raised or spent. All Terra Alta
will permit of the voter is that no must
vote to stick the county scat at one edge
OF the county, over against the Maryland
line.
DO you see through their schemeP IL
is this: II they can only get the county
seat located at Terra Alta before any
other vote on the subject il taken, then
you will bc bound to vote for bonds or
build by direct levy, or let t~hc.rccords be
Kept in some old ramshacklo OF a build
ing at Terra Alta a hundrcdfold more
dangerous than the present courthouse.
Ihats their scheme. They want the
county seat first. Then they can snap
their fingers at YOU, and tell you it's Cup
to you,' Mr.. Taxpayer. TO build a court
house and Jail, aud for you TO decide
whether by bonds or direct levy. but
build you must, or leave your records
open to immediate destruction.
That is the kind of "honest campaign
the Terra Alta paper boasts about.
No, MIR. Terra Alta Republican, you
cannot fool the people 10y abuse of the
county court or the citizens OF a neigh
boring town. This is o Kingwood's
fight or Terra Atlas fight, but a question
OF great public moment for the voters of
the county to decide. Don't think that
10y word-juggling or vciled threats YOU
can Brighten the court or deceive the
voters.
The people are supreme, and will de-
eide in their own way, by their W vote,
and lot by your false and unfoundcd as-
AnFllnnA IhA bind all .A
courthouse and how the money shall be
raised to build il, as well IA where il
shall be located.
This same editor Of the Terra Alta
newspaper asserts boldly. and without
proof, that an election by the people
would defeat the bonds. SO be IL. Let
the people be heard. They are the ones
to decide, not you.
There are others, however, who have
resided in the county moro years than
the Terra Alta editor has weeks, who say
the bond issue will carry, and their judg-
ment, experience, and mountaineering
IL better and wider in this respect than
that OF the Terra Alta editor. Now, ~
to the few hundred dollars expense of a
special election. Would il not be money
well spent TO ascertain the wishes of the
people,
But how will this do2 You, Mr.. Terra
Alta editor, say the bond issue will fail
If put to a vote. Others say it will not
fail. Let each back his opinion with his
money. You put up in some bank for
the use Of the county court enough money
TO defray the expenses of the election.
Let those who believe in giving the peo-
pie a chance TO vote, put up a like amount
II the bonds fail, the money other fellows
put up pays the expenses; IL the bonds
win your money pays the expense. Are
you game, or are you b%lufling2 In this
way the special election will not cost the
taxpayer a cent. OF course you are
bluifng. You are afraid of n vote of the
people. But the people have found You
out, and will decide for thcmselves-at
the proper time and in the roper manner.