West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-01-28
Those In Authority Under Malisn In.
0uenCe OF Designing Men.
HONESTY HAS NO PUBLIC HEARING
Attorney General Could Furnish Legis-
iature With Useful Informa.
tlon-An Open secret.


been done that was not done TO protect
the state, although much mischievous
and malicious stuff has been i'm the pa
pers to the contrary" Does he refer TO
the publications giving figures proving
that, unless halted, the court must bring
Us in debt for many millions more than
was spent for roads, ctc.2 Does lac refer
to publications explaining how and why
appointing proper commission would
result i'm preventing our debt from ex-
ceeding that amount II il safe 10 as
sumo that no brainy man, thinking about
the states interest, and not thinking
about certifying a political machine, CON
siders such publications mischicvous or
malicious stuff
The writer differs from those who be-
heve Dawson expects personal profit. In
1910 King Charles considered it mischiev-
Gus and malicious to suggest that possibly
his royal judgment might bc wrong az To
what action was best for the people. He
was under an honest delusion that il was
criminal to weaken political machine
which increased taxes TO reward hcnch-
men. Were he governor today hc would
saddle this state with fifteen millions
rather than call in doctor who voted
against Elkns.
We make no war on Dawson, but are
forced to believe that hc is under the ma
lign influence Of men using this suit as
excuse to get money out OF the treasury.
and of men interested TO prevent action
which would prevent our debt from ex-
cccding the amount spent for roads, etc.
1t Is regretted that the governor rcscnts
suggestion if offered by any one refusing
allegiance to the Elkins machine. At
present this machine excludes from op-
portunity to render public service who
ever refuses blind obedience To every
ukase it formulatcs i'm secret midnight
conclaVe. At present honest brains, if
manly, is as much shut ont from the
public ear i'm West Virginia a. in Russia.
This Elkins machine issued its ukasc
against proper commission, commits
sion Independent of political machines
and state officials; men not hoping Office
from Elkins and not thinking about
making money out of the states distress
men not beholden 10 any CRATER and not
trying to float schemes on Wall street in
short, men who really deserve public
confidence. II the question OF appoint
ing such a commission was submitted TO
the grand jury class would it not receive
honest 10 e.. e.,
that if two or three manly Republicans
should now get together, with demand
Tor proper commission a. their slogan,
the Elkins machine would crumble as
did the wall of Jericho when Joshua blew
his trumpet. Would not such a commits
sion bc appointed il the attorney general
furnished the Legislature with figures
proving that, unless halted, the court
must bring us in debt for very many
millions more than the amount spent for
roads? Will the governor permit the
legislature to ask the attorney general for
information as follows:
One-Thc court must charge West Vir-
ginia with all state expenditures. The
Bennett commission estimated this at
IS, 900. 1t is reported that the attor-
ney general says that he has discovered
in this estimate errors i'm favor of the
state for $500, 900. Qucstion-Did he not
find many errors against the state: for
example, two millions spent on the Cow
ington Il Ohio west of Charleston?
Two-The court must charge a lust
proportion OF the ordinary expenses of
the Virginia government since any part
of the debt was contracted. The court
must prescribe a measure by which TO
determine the proportion which was a
just proportion. Qucstion-Can we hope
for measure more favorable than the
percentage, in West Virginia counties. OF
the total population of Virginia? Will
the governor permit the legislature to ask
the attorney general for this percentage
in 1920, 1880, 1910, 1850, and 1860? The
average will give the percentage to be
charged. The Bar figured this percentage
at l7S4 per cent.
Threc-Will the governor permit the
legislature to ask the attorney general for
the minimum ordinary expenses i'm each
OF said years? The average multiplied
by 40 will give the minimum of the
amount Of which we are 10 be charged
with just proportion The Bar figured
IT would be l7@4 percent Of fifty millions.
Four-The court will credit moneys
paid from West Virginia counties. viii
the governor permit the legislature TO ask
for the minimum amount paid in each Of
said years? The average multiplied by
80 will give the credit The Bar figured
this credit at less than seven millions.
ii this information be put in the Jour
nal then every member will know the
state danger Is it not an open secret
800 Charleston among such men as Blue.
lee Meredith, and Hall that, unlcs
halted, the court will bring u- in debt for
very many millions more than the
amount proposed boy the plan Of settle
mcnt which creditors agreed to in 1889?
Why not make truth public?
To bc continued As many do not
print this matter, the reader should send
1t 20 his member Of the legislature.
j. w. MAsoN.
Charles Town Jan. 2G.
"