Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-03-09

WE have had ranklingin our bosom Tor
several weeks past the dire threat OF the
Charleston Gazette to read us out OF the
party because we had the temehry to crit
icise the West Virginia Legislature and
certain measures proposed to that body
by the Gazette'S chief dictatorS. but we
have refrained from making any reply
until now, for various reasons. We sup
pose that we ought to be chaStened and
subdued, but, honestly. we are not bit
alarmed; neither are we frightened at the
Gazette's intimation that we shall be cut
off from the elect who are at the head OF
that wing OF the party which it now SO
happily stands in with, while the intima-
ton that we shall have no crumb from the
rich mems table whereat it is feasting is
causing us no loss of sleep. Even ifitShall
thrust us into the outer darkness we shall
not be entirely unhappy, for there will be
abundant company of the very best sort
there. Furthermore, we are not even
ruffled at the Gazette, for that ott-orphan-
ed sheet has had so many masters and
has had to be subservent TO many varied
interests that it cannot understand or ap-
preciate the independence of such papers
as the Register, or the Monroe Waterman
or the Greenbrier independent. whose
editors chief pride is to use them for
what they conceive to be the public well
fare instead OF private or personal gain.
Besides, the men whom the present edi-
tor OF the Gazette is seeking to muzzle
were voting and working Democrats
WREN he was in knee breeches and have
weathered storms such as, probably
would make him hunt his cyclone cellar.
They will doubtless be found bearing the
colors long after the Gazette has been
chased from the scene of battle.
The Gazette seemed especially upset
because the Register opposed the pro-
position OF Senator MacCorkle to abolish
the office OF the State Tax Commissioner.
We said at first, and we still believe. that
this measure was more in the interest OF
the corporations than ofthe people. The
Tax Commissioner has been most SER
viceable officer to the State, and hundreds
of thousands OF dollars have been saved
by the activity OF his office. Such men
as White, Dillon and Darst have been
instrumental in unearthing tax dodgers
in every section, and naturally this has
made il better for honesttaxpayers. Only
last week the Tax Commissioner brought
to light deficit OF over $4,000 in the
accounts OF the sheriff OF Cabell county,
and this sum will be refunded to the
county and State. Fred Blue, the new
Commissioner, will doubtless be as eff
cient and valuable as his predecessors,
and the expenses of administration will
be but small percentage OF the money
saved to the public treasury if he shall
make good, as we are sure he will. The
new tax laws have been mighty good
thing for Jefferson county, and the Reg
ister will defend them until something
better is proposed.
The Gazette is riding on the crest OF
the wave just now, for the Kanawha
crowd that it trains with is in the saddle.
But while we admit their superior politi-
cal astuteness-which We do NOT particu-
larly begrudge or resent-we cannot con-
cede to them a monopoly OF public spirit
or wisdom or patriotism, and we must in
sist on the right Of expressing our honest
convictions. Likewise, we adiure them
in the haughtiness of their present exal-
tation not to ride too recklessly over the
counties that have for 10 these many
years furnished the real Democratic ma
jorities, nor scorn these humble editors
who have labored so long and earnestly
for the party. We shall be surprised it
their services are not needed even next
year.
Like our fellow newspaper men who
think as we do as to certain phases OF
State politics, we have not asked for any
of the crumbs, nor do we expect any
cake. But we do think that we might be
permitted to sit on the fence and watch
the triumphal procession pass by.