The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-02-13
'l0HN S DARST
ANNOUNCES HIS
PRESENT STATE AUDITOR Has
DECIDED no ENTER RACE To-
SUCCEED HiMsELF-AE WILL
MAKE - CHIT ON HIS oFFlcl ALI
RECORD. l X fiS44,, k

the fiscal affairs OF the State had vim.
dicated the wisdom OF the electors,
who by their suffrage had entrusted
that political organization with au-
thority, and the citation Of facts and
figures to substanttate his statement,
Auditor John Sherman Darst, one Of
the executive officers Of the present
State administration, today announced
his candidacy for denomination.
Besides making the formal an
Inouncement OF his candidacy, Auditor
IiDarst's declaration is supplemented
with a statement in which he shows,
! in limited way, the restoration Of the
state Government from the chaotic
condition in which it was found when
the Democrats were ousted from power
in 1896, and the installation OF those
policies, under which the State has
made her progress. The Auditor says
that the record Of the Republican party
| in West Virginia i, such that he deems
! 1t a privilege as well as q duty he owes
the party to make the fight this year
for continued Republican success! d
The. formal annoy tent Of Audi MIDI
tor Darst comes at a tine when ne
vas being solicited bg NUMEROUS
friends throughout tie State f., becSme
la candidate for Governor. Many
friends, in almost every section Of the
State, insisted that his record in the
Legislature and as State Auditor, his
rfeedom from factional alliances, and
his intimate knowledge Of the AFFAIRS
Of the State, made him very available
gubernatorial timber and would unite
the party behind him. His effective
method OF campaign, also was urged
lin his favor by those who believed his
enthusiasm would bring out the voters
WHO were inclined to stay at home at
the last election.
In making, formal announcement OF
his candidacy for denomination as
state Auditor It Is believed that Auhi-
tor Darst will have smooth sailing,
Iafd probably no opposition, an exGeP
Iibhal Compliment =. To- the Jackson
County miller Who through sheer .,de..
Termination and earliest and etaeisnt
duplication to the; public veal, Shas
risen to thefront rank among the pub
liz men OF the State. His annouhee-
ment follows:
Although my intention " seeking
the nomination OF the Republican party
for the office OF State Auditor has al
ready been unofticially expressed, ]
take this opportunity OF making formal
announcement of my candidacy to
succeed myself In that office, ~ II II
~. t. lave been fnSyed t6 taks this
'stepp BY maHy assGrahces ~ support
from many friends from all sectioHsfof
,tlie State, l wish at this time tol ssxs
Press my appreciation Of the fonors
that have been bestowed upon me by,
my party in the past and my graft
tude to the people Of this State who
have, by their support and co-opera-
ton, made it possible for me to ac-
complish whatever | may have ac-
complished as Auditor OF the State.
| feel that by my past record ! should
stand or fall, and upon this record !
am content to submit my candidacy
for denomination and reelection.
II will say now to the Republican
voters of West Virginia, no matter
what may be the outcome OF the prl.
mary election, will esteem it prlvi.
lege to be found on the firing line, ito
make the fight, in my, humble way, for
continued Republican success West
Virginia has made hersprogress under
Republican rule, ! Iyant,to, aid In theI
continuation of those, policies which
have meant so much to the people Of
our State in the. years that have pass,
ed, and which, i believe, are essential
to the healthy growth Of a progressiyeI
people"
After brief announcement of his
candidate, Auditor Darst gave out the
following statement:
IN a general way want 10 say
something to the people OF this State,
to those men who have been
responsible for the success Of the Re.
publican party in West Virginia. Their
wisdom in keeping the Republican
party in authority has been vindicat-
ed. am not attempting to take unto
myself the credit for the achievements
OF the dominant party. ! am only
proud to assert my afiliation with that
party, but as the State Auditor, one
of whose more important duties is the
administration of the States revenues
the collection and disbursement Of the
public money, I am. probably, as init
mate with the conditions OF the State
finances as any other man,
Fifteen years ago, when the re-
publican party came into power mi
West Virginia, We found $4,000 being
collected annually lii direct taxsI
from the people. For the fiscal yea
ending September, 3d.. 1911, We coli
lected 53,S43.74' in direct taxes ana
gave all of that and 100000 more back
to the people for the maintenance OF
the beneficent school system which
we have reared. In 1896, the State col
lected from the railroads and the pub
>. ii. Al "a 81