Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-09-16
Mr.. Sturaiss A Poor Man?

! Friends AIlege That Such is The Case
Morgantown, w. Va, Sept. l4-Cou-
gresham Sturgiss and his friends are
! represent ting TO the voters Of this dis
trict that he is poor man and that he
is in sympathy with those who Dame
Fortune has not favored with an over
supply of this worlds goods. Your
correspondent, however has informa-
tion that Congressman Sturgiss 10 or
should be one Of the wealthiest men in
! the Second congressional district if not
in the state of West Virginia.
Mr.. Sturgiss was the promoter Of
what is known as the Black Bottle
railroad, and when he succeeded IN
building this road from Morgantown
he sold interest 10 Stephen IL Elkins
! for $3.50, 600 and the senior senator then
remarked: George q. Sturgiss the
wealthiest man in Monongalia county.
1t might be added that the proceeds
from this sale alone placed MIN in the
forefront of the moneyed barons oftnis
state Add to this, however. the sum
received by Mr.. Sturgiss for his hold
iDgs in the steel plant here now owned
by the United Steel Corporation.
The net profit of this transaction A.
mounted to S225,o00. 1t is rumored
that Mr.. Sturgiss took a quantity Of
stock in the U. s. Steel Corporation as
part payment for his interest in this
concern.
There was another sale with netted
the congressman neat little sum Of
$50, 900. This was the sale of the
Union Utilities bonds. And there is
still another, which would make the
farmer and laboring man who, at the
present time, ha; had imposed upon
him the high taxes Of the Dawson re-
gime, feel kindly toward our congress-
man. This is the disposal Of some
land up in Valley district, of Preston
county, fo- the magnificent sum of 1925
PER acre; Mr.. Sturglss bought the same
land from the farmers for the sum of
SIS per acre. This land was sold to
Senator Elkins, and it is believed that
the W ly senator strongly admires the
business scumeu displayed by Mi.
Sturgiss in this deal.
In addit on to this Mr.. Sturgiss re-
Gently unloaded lot, in the town of
Morgantown, on the United States
Government for the sum of $4,000.
This Is one of the transactions that
rankles in the public mind to-day: and
it might be added that it will be The
cause of Mr.. Sturgiss losing many
votes throughout the district. MIR.
Stugriss has said that he was instru-
mental in procuring the applopriatia-
tons for the various public buildings
in this district; The people. however,
are aware of the fact that this credit
belongs TO Senators Scott and ElKins.'
These sums however, do not repre-
sent all of Mr.. Sturgss' dna ncial gains.
The most recent transaction, where
by he m ade big haul and hoodwink-
ed the people was In the sale of the
Sabraton Street Railroad. This road
was the ouly independent street rail-
way in Morgantown and it was the
desire of the citizens that II remain so.
However Mr.. Sturgjss asked for leave
of absence from his congressional du-
ties on account of important business,
and ease home and requested the city
council 10 grant him certain franchises.
The council at fist refused, on the
ground that to do 50 would cause Mr..
Sturgiss to sell his line to the Union
Utilities whereby the street raiiwa y
business in Morgantown would be
menopolized by one company-some-
thing which the citIzens bitterly OPP
posed Mr.. StuTgiss repiied that I'M
less he was granted the franchise in
question he would be forced TO dispose
of his road TO The Union Utilities. ON
the strength OF this plea the franchise
were granted. Sad to record, however,
that within twenty-four hours after the
X
giss ssld the Sabraton line, as was
feared, to the Union Utilities Com
pany for consideration of $4,000.
When we total up the various a
mounts that Mr.. Sturgiss has received
ia his business transactions alone we
find the the sum TO be S755, 200. Still he
and his cohorts nave The nerve to asert
that heis poor man. The question
is: "Nyhat have you done with it, Mr..
SIurgiss?n Possible MIR. Sturgiss has
been associated in the millionaire elias
50 long that he has come to the con
clusien that unless a man possess at
least 100000 600 he is to be ratel poor.
uD.c.