The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-22
Great Victory is Gained by the
Advocates of Better City
Government.
UffICE HOLDERS TRUST IS DEFEATED
Charter Provides For An Economical Administration Of
City's Affairs, Non-Partisan Government and
Above All Fair Elections

After one of the hardest fights ever waged in the
Legislative Halls at Charleston The Fairmon Non-Par
san Charter Bill was passed late in the session held on
Saturday night and the people of Fairmont who have
stood honest government fair elections economical
administration of affairs have at last great and de-
serving victory.
lbiwas passed in the Senate and the one amend
ment concurred in by the House and Famont "the
city favored by nature and developed by industry has
at last a charter which the entire community feel
proudsof.
Witnesses describing the great Legislative battle
for several weeks at the state capital
say that only by the greatest of energy and with
defeat staring the advocates of the charter in the
face atevery stage Of the fight that they at last finally
passing the BILL despite the great opposition
Of the Office Holders Trust Of Marion County who were
present at all times and fought the from start
to hnish with all the cunning and underhand methods
only to who have had great experience in the
past conjuring up schemes to defeat the will Of the
voters
Senator Scott c. Lowe who pledged himself before
theeecon as being in favor of change in the Fainont
Charter the leader of the opposition but despite
every of delay which inaugurated by him and
his colleagues in the last hours of the week. when time
wasprecious the measure was brought to the third read
ing and by vote of IA to II passed the Senate and in
short time afterwards the House ratified this section
The New Charter which was passed by the Legisla-
the same one which was endorsed by the Fairmont
Chamber Of Commerce, the Business Mems Association
andnumerous other public bodies at meetings held two
years ago. with strict registration law attached to in
sure! the citizens fair elections in the future.
Thefght for better government was begun two years
ago when the Non-partisan bill was drafted and placed
before the Legislature and would have been passed at
that time the Office Holders Trust had not intervened
ansecured the passage of the Bipartisan farce govern
entunder which the city has been hrdened ever since
TheNew Charter above all other things provides for
an honest economical fair administration Of the ctys
affairs by three men who will devote all their time and
energy to the work This will be saving to the tax
payerswho carrying the burden Of four commits
sioners working under the four hour day system, all
of them having other remuneratve positions which takes
interest in the business which they paid to
transact
The Charter also combines the Commissioner Of
Finance. and the City Treasurer. This will Danish
other office which absolutely useless but for which the
people have been paying their money
TheNew Charter will take effect in ninety days from
its passage the Legislature and at the end Of that time
after city election will be called and Com
issoners under the plans and provisions of the New
CharterSWil be elected