West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-03-19
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Stsndpatters EndeavorIns to AssImi-
late the ProsressIvss--Ststs Funds
Placed In q Defunct 6snk-Many
Postnasters Recommended
GEo. w. suMMERs

Washington, March l0.-The general
concensus OF opinion reaching Washing
ton from different parts of the state is
that the Republican meeting at Charles
ton last week was purely and simply a
gathering OF office holders, with few
kindred spirits, engaged in an effort 10
prevent the severance OF their names
from the public payrolls. The willing
ness to abandon their principles and to
adopt the plotorm OF the Progressive
party and endorse its presidential candi-
date in order to get the offices shows how
desperate the situation is regarded by the
Office Holders. IL the Republican party
were TO adopt the Progressive platform as
was proposed at the Charleston meeting,
IT would find itself declaring that the
Republican party has become tool OF
corrupt interests which use il TO serve
their selfish purposes. 1t would find
itself declaring that behind the ostensible
government, (that OF President TAFT
there sat enthroned an invisible govern
ment owing no allegiance and acknowl-
edging no responsibility 10 the people. II
would find itself declaring that TO des-
troy this invisible government, TO dissolve
the unholy alliance between corrupt bust
ness and corrupt politics is the first task
of the craftsmanship of the day. 1t would
find itself declaring that the Republican
organization is in the hands Of those who
have broken and can not again be trusted
to keep the promise OF necessary down
ward revision of the tariff. All this,
however, the Office Holders are willing
TO do il only the payroll is left unchanged.
They are willing to admit, as has been
charged by the Progressives, that the
Republican party has become the tool of
corrupt interests and that the party is
manipulated for these interests and not
Tor the good of the whole people; that
there is an unholy alliance between cor
rupt business and the Republican party;
and that its leaders have violated
solemn pledge to the people and can no
longer be trusted. They will admit all
these and otLer charges, provided the
offices are retained and the salaries con-
tinue, as they have in the past and to the
same people. They are even willing to
| accept Theodore Roosevelt as their Presi-
dental candidate. although he was
publicly denounced by the Republican
organ of the State as the most monument
tai liar, the most dangerous demagogue
and the most consummate hypocrite Of
his day or age" When the State COM
mittee of a once great political party,
under the advice of the Governor of
great State, sees fit to publicly admit that
the charges of corrupt leadership of al
lance with corrupt business and general
untrustworthiness, which have made the
charges and to accept rs a candidate for
the office OF President man whom it has
denounced as a liar, a "demagogue"
and "hypocrite" if it can only get the
help it considers necessary to the retention
OF the offices and the salaries, then the
desperateness OF the situation begins to
be apparent. The Office Holders are
willing TO admit the general unworthiness
OF their party and the corruption OF its
| leaders, provided those leaders may be
permitted to continue their leadership
and provided they shall be permitted to
retain the offices and the salaries that 90
with them. "Amalgamation" is asked,
and 80 far as can be seen from the Charles
ton m gam at o n means the right
OF ProgressiYes to vote the Republican
ticket and write anything they please in
the platform so long as the Republican
leaders are not displaced and the offices
and salaries are kept within the family.
Considerable testimony as to the con-
dition of the Fidelity Banking and Trust
Company, of Bluefeld, at time when
the Republican State officials of West
Virginia we're swelling its deposits with
state funds with no security was brought
out in Washington within the last few
lays in connection with the trial of
Edward w. Mollohan, formerly direc-
TOR in that institution, which is now
defunct. At one time the State carried
4 balance of about $l25 600 in this strug-
cling bank, whose condition the bank
examiner Is reported as having testified
70 have been shaky for period of eigh-
teen months, within his knowledge. At
the same time the Slate funds were pour
ell into the institution and although
some were hurriedly withdrawn near the
last there were still $50 900 Of the State 8
money in the bank when it failed.
Former director Mollohan was indicted
in Washington on a charge OF false pre-
lenses and was tried last week, the Jury
disagreeing. The former President S. NJ.
smith; the former cashier, j. L. Harne
and Mollohan are under joint indict-
ment charging conspiracy. The charges
that the bank was in such urgent need Of
funds that Mollohan was sent TO Wash
lngton with fine certification OF deposit
for blank amount, which he tried TO
sell at discount. He is charged with
filling in the amount for 81 600 and sell
ing il at a discount OF $3.50, the certificate
being payable in six months The pur-
chaser, it Is said, first telegraphed 10 the
bank and was assured that the certificate
was all right. Then he bought il. The
bank was in the hands OF receiver when
the certificate became payable. Il is not
alleged that Mollohan used the money
from the sale Of the certificate for him
self, but that it was necessary 70 raise
funds 10 keep the bank alive. The trial
was interesting as showing the condition
Of the bank when the State funds we're
being poured into lie treasury.
COngreaaman Bromn haa heen nnahln