The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1914-10-23
IMPORTANCE
OF REPUBLICAN
LEGISLATURE

The most important question confront
ing the people of West Virginia in this
campaign is the election of a Republican
legislature,' was the declaration made by
Governor Hatfield i'm discussing the polit-
ical situation. Ii will lie remembered
that in 1912. when he was the Repub-
liean nominee for Governor, Mr.. Hat
field called attention to this same matter,
taking the stand that il Was more i'm
portant to elect a Republican legislature
than il was to elect him Governor.
''lt is a matter Of recorded history"
said tine Governor, that the represent
atives Of the Republican party i'm office
have demonstrated a greater amount of
efficiency and economic value to the citi-
zen-hip than those of the Democratic
party"
''The election of Republican legis-
lature,' he continued, Twill enable the
present administration To go forward in
fulfilling the promises made in the plat
form Of I9l2, and p-ailirmed by the Re-
publican platform this year. A part OF
these promises has already been enacted
into Law and a continued and united ef-
fort will guarantee a full compliance with
every promise made. Unless Rspub-
lican legislature H. elected this year, the
efforts of the Stare administration which
stands tor the principles endorsed by a
majority OF the people of our State, will
result in the marking OF time and the
State will he greatly retarded in its prog
ress- The election of a legislature hostile
to the State administration will give no
opportunity to carry ont the platform
pledges made 10 the people.
The tax reform i'm West Virginia
marks the dawn of new era for the
state, and was brought about by the party
now in power. It, principles were stren-
uously opposed by the Democratic party
and particularly by all the big interests
OF the state, regardless Of party affiliation.
To indicate how the Democratic party
still stands upon this tax question, the
Democratic legislature i'm 1911, at the inst
opportunity given 70 them i'm Legislative
way since the election of Governor George
Wesley Atkinson, passed bill through
tire Democratic House Of that year re-
pealing this law, and the measure which
they songht tO enact in it, stead was much
like their old re-actiOnary idea Of direct
taxation, which wonld have been inc
quital,le, oppressive to the farmer and
the masses, hut favorable To the big bus
inf. I.I a I.
fifteen Republican senators, who would
have retr"grade,l To the reactionary days
Of the MacCorkle ADMINISTRATION, during
which period the corporations were en-
aided to get almost a death grapple upon
the State
Governor Hatfield pointed out among
the achievements OF the Republican party
the abolition Of the Zee system in state
Offices, by which thousands Of dollars
annually now 90 into the State treasury !;
the repeal of the old 35-cent direct tax;
the placing Of matters Of taxation in To-
cal levying bodies; the public accounting
Law which shows the real financial con-
dition 81 counfies, cities and towns; many
permanent improvements have been made
At the State institutions, all Of which have
been placed on business basis under
the State B,ard Of Control, saving thon--
an'ls oi dollars annually; the State pen
iteDtiary has not only been made self
supporting, but turns into the STATE
treasury several thoussnd dollars a year:
the state Board of Health has been made
effective m preventing and stamping out
di-ea-e: the "Blue SKY law, which pre-
vents th~ ileecing Of the public by "get-
ricb-quick' schemes; the prohibition
lsw which = the stricte-t m the country.
the wOrkmen's compensation Law which
protects the families of tire vorkingmen
from want: the public service oommi--
sion which regulates public service cor
porstions: the hy'lro-electric law which
con-erves the wster power of the state;
and many other progressive measures
which are due b Republican progre~.
''The-e accomplishments" said Gov.
Hatfield, merit the confidence OF the
people in the efforts put forth By the
representatives Of the RepublIcsn PARTY
and warrant the continuation Of suppo-t
b. majority nov in power in the state,
in order n insure further progre~- in the
matter Of perfccting many Of the laws
now in enes-t."
Among the platform pledges Jet un-
fulfilled, the Governor pointed out soch
measures ss q corrupt prsctic< scf and .
primary election law He posnssd ous
th.s the DcmoerHss s<senp>sd % s.ncs dis