The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-01-28

ions, for the same period, apprOprla
ID $4,000, and little Rhode Islant
with a. population OF one-half million
for the same period, appropriated $17
100. No State In the union with II
population and resources of this stat
has taken so little interest in its Stat
board Of health as ours.
Guard System.
The commission appointed by me u
Investigate the guard system" tina
was then in operation in the strike re
glon in Kanawha county reported tina
the system employed was vicious
strife promoting and un.American.
This is very strong language and ye
the evidence adduced before the com
mission fully justified them in the ust
of the language adopted in their re
port. It is not a debatable question
that men have right to protect thetI
property, and 1t Is equally certain thai
the state has a right and 1t is its duty
o see that men employed for thai
purpose do not infringe upon the
rights OF other people. It is also the
duty of the State to see that men who
perform public duty, or quasi pub
lie duty, are citizens Of the State and
have good reputation as law.abidinG
citizens.
Strikes and Loek-outs.
In this connection call your atten'
ton to the necessity for some legisla-
ton to aid in the prevention and set
Element OF strikes and lock.outs. ! adj
nit the difficulty OF enacting proper
legislation under our constitution, but
a committee OF the State board OF
trade has prepared bill which in the
opinion of good lawyers is free from
objections, and recon-
mend that you give It careful consider
alton. In the language. OF the commit
Tee appointed to investigate conditions
IN the strike field there is danger that
strikes and Iockouts will be of more
'reouent occurrence In the future than
n the past, and 1t is time that some
hing be done to assist those charged
with the duty of enforcing the law in
hiding in settlement of these strikes
md lock-outs; before the damage is
lone. The recent strike cost the State
A great deal OF money and in addition
% that entailed 4 hardship upon those
directly interested, and affected the
'air name Of the State for law and or
le:.
Cost Of Strike.
The cost of this strike has been
great, but not more than seemed to be
necessary to properly safeguard the In.
.erests OF the soldiers who were OIL
luty ard The lives and property OF the
1eople who live within the strike re.
zion. The total cost will approximate
1850 900 and detailed information as
10 the amount expended will be- fur
lished the legislature whenever re-
luested. have had the accounts oil
he paymaster audited by the auditing
department. OF the tax commissioners
office and u full and complete report
will be filed with you at the proper
lime. desire that the legislature
have all the information possible with
reference to the expenditure OF this
money and II at any time You desire
any information not contained in the
report of the paymaster and auditing
department shall be glad to furntsA
you with Il: have borrowed from
different banks OF the State an aggre.
gate amount Of $19O,OOO which is bear
ing interest at six per cent, and some
of these expenses have paid out CT
my civil contingent fund. There arc
other accounts that have not been
paid and which will be flied with the f.
nance committee Of your bodies.
Virgil A. Lewis.
On the fifth day OF December, 1912
Hon. Virgil A. Lewis, State historian
and archivist. departed this life. lie
had filled many important and respon
sible positions, among ;aem that Of
State superintendent OF free schools
He was a man OF untiring energy
great ability and fearless in the dis
charge OF any duty. The State will
miss him aud his place will be hard 10
MI.
Conclusion.
The four years OF my administration
have been rather stormy ones. I'have
had to face many difficult situations
and the work has ofttimes been bur
densome. Nevertheless 1t is a pleas
ure to me TO say that there has been
more or sunshine than OF clouds. My
associates have been uniformly courte
GUS and loyal. Their advice has been
wholesome and unselfish. / shall leave