West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-01-22

a Strong and SsnsIbIe Anslyxation OF
Political Rinss-Peopie VIII Not
Vote for Party In the Future-KIna
Word for Commissioner Winters
EDrroR ARars:

EDITOR ARGUS:
While heretofore / have not agreed
politically with The Argus, | want to
congratulate the new editor ON the excel
lency of its local news. You are surely
gathering the local happenings from the
four corners OF Preston county, which
makes it a very interesting county paper.
Another feature that has been of vital
importance to the taxpayers is the publi-
cation OF the county audit. IL is a mat
ter of comment that The Argus is ia,
only paper in the county hat is publish
ing IL. IL is a common remark around
here that the Preston Republicans how
ing about the publication of the financial
statement vas not based upon its interest
I'm the dear taxpayer as much as 10 make
a little political capital out OF il. The
reason for this opinion prevailing is the
fact that the Republican, up to the pres
ent time, has not published the audit.
On the contrary, its correspondents con
denim IL and call it worthless" And
the Republican takes up a column of edi-
torial space i'm calling attention TO il and
@
indorsing the sentiment expressed by it,
contributor. Let me Say TO the Republic
can that il it is laboring under the inn
preston that the condemnation of the
audit is going to please Republican tax
payers il is making "a fatal mistake. |
have talked with a gTea: many Taxpayers
OF different political affiliations and / have
n first N to hear that condemns il.
1t is just the opposite. They all approve
OF the audit and say that il is no reflec-
ton or injustice upon the county officials
who are being audited. None of us are
perfect. They are Just as liable to make
mistakes as other mortals. III they nave
by mistake taken money that belongs TO
the county it should be refunded. This
will not reflect upon the honesty of the
public official. But it is the consensus of
opinion that no public official should OBJ
ject to a competent accountant auditing
his books to determine il all is right. 1t
is simply a matter of business.
That the rest of the county may know
l will say hat Union district is ready to
vote a hearty Endorsement of the county
court. Union feels proud OF her member
OF the court. 1t has watched his course
and is satisfied that he is safeguarding
the interests of the taxpayers.
1t is remarkable the change of political
sentiment among the people. You
scarcely ever hear partisan politics dis.
cussed any more, unless it is one of the
old-time politicians, and no one pays any
attention to them. / have TO pinch
myself sometimes before 1 can realize that
this state of affairs exists. To think how
long our county, state and national affairs
We're run on partisan politics! l often
wonder how we could have been so
blinded to our own personal interests
For years we acted more like mad people
b sane and sensible. Is it not the
Gods truth, brethren? And who was il
that reaped the reward of our partisan
politics? Consult the county, state and
national records and you will find the
answer. Have not a certain number OF
men monopo,ized the offices for tffe past
thirty or forty years? Take orr county
For years it was dominated by a few Re
publicans who selected the candidates for
the public offices. Not until we gave
Preston to Junior Brown and elected n
n~on-partisan county court did we sue
coed in bursting up the partisan political
combination. We are still i'm the grip of
the state combination. The old gang
still holds on to the state offices. But in
y we will separate the state gang from
the public offices when we will dispense
with some of their pet offices and reduce
the taxes. 1t is an outrage the way they
have increased the state expenditures.
The Dawson tax laws have surely done
what The Argus said they would do, in
crease our taxes.
The letters of Free Lance and others
! have read with profit. Let us hope
they will favor us with many more.
If you can find space to insert this let.
ter will appreciate the favor.
DAvY.