The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-09-16
PROUD 10 MEET HIM

charter OF that city, which are iden'
tlcal with those of the Fatrmont
charter, and no one has ever heard
O single complaint from Huntington
on this provision. This section
which should be the least objection
able, was responsible for much OF
the opposition and gave the oppo'
nents the excuse Of playing upon thu
prejudices Of the most timid citizens
There was another source Of op.
position coming from the citizens OF
the outside precincts who are enjoy
ing practically all the advantages OF
city improvements without paying
their just proportion towards theil
support. This opposition could not,
Of course, be overcome since they op'
posed the improvement for selfish
reasons which appealed to their poe
textbooks and not to their heads.
The West Virginian has always
believed, and still believes, that tc
this element of opposition the re-
suits of yesterdays election will
prove to be a blessing in disguise.
They will receive now still further
city advantages which will offset
the small amount of taxes they will
be required to pay the corporation.
It is now the duty of every loyal
Fairmonter, whether he was for or
against the charter to become a
booster for the city and become q
supporter of his own city govern.
ment, which we must all live under
until some better plan is adopted by
the people. 1t is time to forget what
passed during the campaign that
was unpleasant and remember that
no matter what our preiudices ano
our ambitions might have been, that
we cannot make Fairmont the city
It should be unless there Is harmony
among the citizens.
There seems to prevail a strong
desire among those who were dis
appointed in the election to yield to
the will OF the majority and at
least give the new plan a fair and
impartial test. This is all the
friends Of the commission govern
ment ask and If it is not better than
the old system there are plenty OF
those who supported the movement
who win join in a fight to change
the system at any time it proves not
to be to the best interest Of the city.
James Gordon Bennett, owner OF
the New York Herald, was at one
time supporting an important move
ment behind. which he had very
strong public sentiment and he was
warned by some of the conservative
heads that while the people were
with him then, that the mind OF the
people was tickle and that they
would change some time and leave
him without support. Bennett re-
piled. IF the people OF New York
can change their minds any quicker
or oftener than the New York Her
aid they are welcome to do it." So
1t is with the individual and so 1t is
with the newspapers, both large and
small, they change their minds when
NJ becomes necessary to meet condt-
tons as they exist, and this is one
privilege the West Virginian Will
always reserve to itself and it viii
be found quickly rallying to the sup
port of the people If it finds that
any mistake has been made In the
adoption Of the present charter, but
this paper cannot now see that any
mistake has been made and cannot
believe that any hardship will be
thrust upon any citizens by reason
Of the adoption OF the new charter.
Time alone can verify our predie-
ton.