Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-12-27
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 81, 1912.
THE COLLIER ARTICLE.


made his report. and he has told the
people no facts-only rumors. In
stead of trying to ascertain the true
status of affairs he gives something
which everybody has heard many
times and who were greatly disap-
pointed in not being given something
of an enlightening nature.
When this special representative
visited Martinsburg he never consult
cd the members of the Democratic
executive committee; he never inter
viewed a Democratic worker; he new
err saw a member OF the State Con-
gressional Senatorial or County COM
mittee; he kept company only with
the enemies of the Democratic party,
thus showing that he came to West
Virginia to be unfair and he lived up
to his instructions received before
leaving home.
If he had met the Democratic lead
ers and workers, and learned the true
side OF the story he could have made
an entirely different report. The peo-
pie with whom he associated have
long been enemies of the Democratic
party, and so accustomed have they
become to being led by the man who
has the dollar that they become fran
tic when a Democrat appears in the
arena who is willing to assist his
party.
Let US take a look at the list of Re-
publicans who have owed and those
who now owe their political prestige
to the fragrant use of money:
Senator Stephen r. Elkins entered
the state when 1t was solidly Demo-
cratic Is it not true that by the Law
ish use of money he was elected to
the United States Senate, and by vir
tue of that office became the recognize
ed leader of his party?
Senator Nathan B. Scott, who emf
grated from Ohio, swore as witness
before the Clapp committee that he
contributed $4,000 in 1908. Did he
not say that Perkins and Gary also
sent considerable sums here? And did
he not further swear that $4,000 of
the fund raised by Mr.. Hartman
found its way into this state? Has
the senator ever told how much he
gave to Republican newspapers,
county committees, individuals, ETC.,
in his last campaign?
So well pleased were the Republi-
cans with these two multimillionaires
that they refused to consider the can
didacy of others, and when they
passed from the scene of action there
were loud lamentations.
Ex-Congressman w, P. Hubbard, of
Wheeling, is another millionaire who
has been liberal and faithful con-
tributor, and the First Congressional
district has felt the effect of the gen
erosity of his purse many times. In
his fight for the United States Senate
against. Senator Scott the whole state
became the recipient of his extraor-
binary benevolence.
Hon. Isaac T. Mann, the millionaire
coal baron, of Bramwell, has never
failed to make his donations. 1t is not
true that the awful political condi-
ton in the southern part of the
STATE
purse strings? Haven't his thousands
been poured in constant streams into
the Republican treasury? Hon. James
S. Lakin, chairman of the Republican
State committee, stated that Mr..
Mann contributed $4,000 to the last
campaign, and nobody knows how
much he spent otherwise.
Ex-senator Davis Elkins, a strong
adherent to the policies of his father,
in his first attempt to seek office
made a most lavish contribution. Is
il not a fact that his purse was opened
in every county in West Virginia, and
whenever Republicans appealed to
him they were not turned away empty
handed? His contribution to the Re-
publican campaign fund this year was
$4,000. and this did not include what
he sent to the different county COM
mittees. It has been stated that he
gave on an average of $500 to each
comfy That would mean they receiv-
cd s97 500 and this added to his COM
mitee contribution makes grand
total of $4,000.
The Hon. William Seymour Ed
wards. the Progressive leader and sen
atorial candidate, is said to have CIV
en- Kanawha county $4,000 to defeat
the Democrats and in which he sue
ceeded. Many other counties receiV-
ed his help. 1t is variously estimated
that the campaign cost him 100000.
And yet he condemns the Democrats
because they have men in their party
who are willing to finance the cam
paigns. May we not inquire of Mr.
Edwards why he spent SO much
money?
When slippery Bill' Dawson was
a candidate for governor, did ne not
enter into a deal with the Standard
oil Company whereby he was 10 nave
its support, and in payment OF that
favor the company was not TO pc mo-
Tested in the way of taxation? Mr..