West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-18
Rloundsrins Slowly ALONG Through
Troubled Matters.
THE CHARITABLE CORPORATIONS
split ip A Administration Party-Strlct.
ly Family fracas-McCrum
Making Good.
speelal corre.penaenee Of rhe Arru..

"hi S"hsihucc to Hriiu slowly, Wnicn IN
exaspcrating 10 the state administration
Strange as II may appear many of the
stanchest supporters OF the administra-
ton have deserted the houndering ship
OF state and have gone over TO the cor
porations, bag and baggage. This is ex-
planned on the ground that their "clients"
have always been loyal supporters of the
Republican party, and in years past have
rendered valuable aid in carrying the
state for the party. They argue that
without the moral support of the cor
porations the party can never hope TO
maintain its supremacy in the state of
West Virginia.
The friends of the administration ad-
NIT that certain of the corporations have
been generous In their support Of the
party, but allegc that the party has been
equally ~ generous with the corporations
which have befriended the party. They
remark parenthetically, however, that
the time has come when they must seek
another clientagc IL the party is to re-
main i'm power. They think the "dear
people" are the clientage that must save
the party from defeat.
The split in the administration people
is due to the fact that the new tax laws
have failed TO produce the necessary reye-
nue. TO meet the cxtravagant expenditures
OF the present state administration. The
administration itself realizes that the
middle class Of taxpayers have been
taxed beyond the promise and pledge OF
the party, and 10 add further tax would
mean certain defeat 10 the party. The
people would never agree to further i'm
crease in taxation, which must follow II
the corporations are not made 10 make
good the deficiency in the strong box.
AS matters now stand the administra-
ton is facing deficit which can only be
averted by placing heavier tax upon
the people, or placing a production tax
on coal, gas, and oil. Which shall II be2
This IL what the administration is facing.
The fight is on, and the best part about
1t is that il is strictly a family fracas.
The Democrats feel that they are not
justified i'm interfering with the family
row inasmnch as IL will teach the people
the lesson which they have stubbornly
refused 10 listen 10 in the past. But
those who have inside information aver
that the taxing OF coal gas, and oil will
not produce sufficient revenue il the state
adopts state wide prohibition. There will
have TO be some mighty expert and dex-
trous financiering il the administration IL
TO escape the deficit pitfall.
Some claim they can discern the fine
Italian hand Of Senator Elkins working
through his agents in opposing certain of
the administration tax bills, which they
say Is not creditable 10 an avowed "tax
reformer." The Elkins opposition is not
calculated to harmonic the party. But
30 long as they can retain the spoils OF
Office they are not inclined 10 worry over
harmony and increased taxation. They
are willing that the people shall do the
worrying over the increase in the tax
receipt.
. The one member from Preston who il
very much in the limeligbt Is Delegate
McCrum. BY many he is voted the
brains Of the Republican party in the
house. In debate and generalship lac has
more than held his own. When Samuel
B. Montgomery was in the senate Preston
was frequently heard from and his man
tic has gracefully fallen on the shoulders
of young McCrum.
Gov. Dawson, who took run down 10
Washington for a conference with Sena-
tors Elkins and Scott, has returned and
taken up the cudgel in defense Of his pet
measures. 1t Is current rumor here that
lac is slated for a federal position. Many
are wondering why IL is that no one, ex-
cept Republican ofIice-holders. are eli
gible TO appointment to office. Dawson,
who has held public Office for over a
quarter Of a century, is 10 be given fed.
eral job for four more years. The name
Of VIM. NJ. o. Dawson and public Office
are synonymous.
The million dollar investigating com
mittee Is still investigating the alleged
charges of Theodore Alvord that the
whisky men have a million dollars Of q
fund 20 defeat the prohibition amend
ment. IL is said that Mr. Alyord denies
the Huntington Advertiser interview and
that reporter Thompson claims the inter
view was given by Alvord IL has ar.
rayed the ProhibitiOnists and anti-PrOhi-
bitionists and many warm discussions
can be heard on every corner.
The state pcnitentiary investigation,
however, is the main topic Of converse
ton. The reports from Moundsville,
where the investigation is being held, are
anything but complimentary to the man
agement Of that institution. One convict
has testified that he was promised par
don II his friends would give the Mar
shall county delegation 10 the Hon. Ar
mold G. Scberr. The Marshall county
delegation was given 10 Mr.. scherr, and
IL is alleged that the board recommend
ed the conyicts pardon. Gov. Dawson,
whom it is claimed was tipped, refused
10 grant the pardon.
J. A. Morris, who is the night acting
captain at the pen, has stated, - the re-
port comes here, that he discovered coun-
terfeit money was being circulated in the
prison, and upon investigation he traoed
IL to the cell Of convict y. J. smith where
he found a quantity OF counterfeit money
and complete crnnterfoifino, ouf0s