The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-10-19

Although the state direct tax for
| the fiscal year 1914, was increase
from one to six cents on the 800
property valuation, the state audito"
showed that not u single cent OF this
revenue derived from direct taxation
was used for the support OF the state
government or the maintenance o.
the state institutions, but that ever
cent collected was returned to tit:
counties and districts for the sup
port of the schools OF the state.
Not Under Cover.
There is one thing about these
Republican state administrations.
said the auditor. Eve have never
hesitatcd to tell you tax payers
where the money goes. 1t is not suf-
ficient for us to say that we spent Sc
much money. We always tell you
for what purpose it was expended.
Thcrci $ no smirch OF graft In the
bills that we pay. The books are al
ways open and our political enemies
have access to them in the broad
light or day. We want them 20
know the facts for when they know
the truth they can'tc ven make an
accusation OF wrOngdoinG.
II am hero TO give YOU, as your
right to know, condensed state
mcnt OF the stewardship OF the mon
you have entrusted with the safe
guarding OF your interests. 'Yc
shall know the truth and the truth
shall make you free was said in
Holy writ and propose 10 give you
the naked truth clothed in the GarD
OF official facts.
"Onco more the Republican party
has been placed oil trial IN this state
by our common enemy, the Demo
cratic party. We arc againa ccused
Of wasting. the peoples money. 1t is
,asrgiteration OF the charges made
two and four years ago, but you will
remember that in those two cam
naiEns when we got the record be-
fore the people Of the state they
were not only convinced that we had
not been wasting their money, but
that we we're giving them more for
their dollar than any other state in
the union.
Auditor Darst told his hearers
that officials Of other states had
been frequent visitors to West Vir.
ginia for the purpose Of ascertain
ing the methods used in this state
for the dispatch of the public bust
ness and that upon their returning
home they had advocated the enact
ment Of West Virginia laws in their
own states.
Careful Management,
The speaker likened the manage
menL of the states business affairs
TO that of the management of FAM
lily. With the head of a family, he
argued, which In the case of the
state 10 The legislature, rests the re-
Gpom5iblity for discriminating be-
tween necessities aud luxurics aud
that the head of the family should
wisely consider what are the most
imcccssary things for the happiness
and comfort Of It's family taking into
consideration the amount of income
1t has to spend.
During the fiscal year, 1911
which ended OH June 30, last, Audi
tor Darst declared that the lGgisla
turc appropriated $75G.OO0 more for
the support of its family than was
appropriated in 1912. resulting from
he growth OF the educational, char
liable and penal institutions Of the
state, which as they continue t.
grow. need more money to meet the
demand for new buildings, modern
appliances and increased necessary
expenses.
"Not only was our State Board o:
Public Works at the Beginning OF
he fiscal year 1914, confronted with
Increased appropriations to the
mount Of $756,O00,' said Auditor
Darst, "but In addition to this the
state had approximately spent s4O0.-
300 TO maintain law and order IN
the state which had used the sur
plus in the treasury.
Sensible Action.
"Thc Board Of Public Works had
10 other method to get the money to
maintain the state government and
her great Institutions except to raise
>het ux from ono to six cents. but
he Board of Public Works acted
;emsibly. For years II llas fought
lard and successfully, too. to keGI
? .hc taxes down, and, II refused &c
sven spend all tho money that thu
legislature had appropriated. liy
loing this 1t saved tho state froM