Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-04-22
Mr.. Clohan Writes.

Editor Staterman-D eno crat:
My Dear Sir:
Several years age l made up my
mind that it did not pay to be drawn
into a newspaper controversy and
that l would avoid one in the future,
but Not in partisan spirit but in one
of fairness, ask 4 little space which
you have never denied me, to correct a
mistake in your issue Of April 10Th in
which l am quoted as having sug-
sested the idea of setting girls to work
in auditing the city books. The thought
10 preposterous one for two reasons:
The one is that our Auditor, Mr.. Lee
Siler is in every way competent and
his character 10 such that his werd
that the books are correct Is plenty
good enough for me; the other is,
Brother Boyer, what kind Of girls
would work in such surroundings.
You say why not turn the light on
County Treasury, 80 say we all of US.
For two years, in season and out Of
season, / have been demanding a
show down. | have and do most I'M
quRlifedly condemn the court for its
action against the wishes of many Of
the best citizens of the county for con-
tracing for court house in 1908 when
they knew that they did not have one
penny on hand and the law limiting
their power to levy had been passed a
year before, I domost heartily approve
Of the con sentative course pursued by
the City Board Of Affairs in refusing
to plunge into any new expenditures
until The depleted treasury had been
replenished. 1 am heartily IN sympa-
thy with the Board of Affairs In their
efforts to ply as they 60. In another
place you call attention to the charter
commission being com posed OF demo-
Gratis and republicans. In this you
were correct. The commission was
composed Of the following democrats:
Mayor Cushwa, Treasurer l.. ii.
Thompson, Attorney G. E. Martin,
Councilmen John N. Rentch, F. s.
Emmert, Hon s w. Walker. Repub.
licans Il. r. Thorn and Ajax CioEan.
Independent Max Hobinson. 1t may
have been necessary that the division
should have been made on political
lines, do not know that there is any
thing in the charter that any Of its
makers are ashamed Of, we think that
it is broad enough to let the citizens OF
the town have any kind of govern
ment they want wet or dry, frugal or
extravagant. The charter was pub
lished, and at the time was favorabIy
received. | do hot think that time
enough has been given TO tell whether
i; is good or bad. As TO the motives OF
the commission, each one OF that body
will have to stand for himself and l
shall judge no one but myself. My rea-
sons for serving on the commission
was that as body we all agreed that
we were SO disguised with partisan
politics in city affairs that we at least
by inference ali agreed that we would
try to take all partisanship oue OF city
politics and favor strictly non-parti-
san administration of city affairs.
Thinking this to he the fact L was
willing to help In any way to bring
this about, Just what The other mem
bers may have thought | will not pre-
tend to say. Judging from the action
of the democratic members OF that
commission none of them ever intend
ed to take any part in non-partisan
move or If they at that time had any
such inten ton time has changed their
vie VS.. AT some of the meetings held
to discuss civic affairs the one lnde-
pendent and two republican cem mis-
sloners were present, at none OF THESE
meetings were any OF the democratic
commissioners present. Taking all OF
these things into consideration ana
judging them as hepete be judged
am forced to the sorrowful esnclusion
that / was asked to serve on this COM
mission for bat one purpose thai oeing
to secure my aid and that OF SEINE OF
my friends In the republican ranks In
having this charter passed in the leg
islature, after careful aud csnscien-
tious review of the whols proceedings.
Since the enactment Of the cnarter
into law 1 have at last reached the
conclusion that the whole scheme was
simply a well laid scheme for these
gentlemen to continue themselves IN
power for all time. Thanking you Tor
the space accorded me and with an
apology to the republican friends who
helped to make this law, Will
promise them that in the future id'e
promises will not 30 quite so far with
me.
Respectfully,
Alex Clohan.