The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-24
rHESPLEpeEs REDEEMED.

THEsPLEpees REDEEMED.
The Republican party went on rec.
ord in its platform in 1872 for divers
and sundry matters of progressive leg.
islation, and owing to the fact that
the senate was in 1918 half Democrat
Ia. these ple edges could not be fulfilled.
The party leaders, however, reassured
the voters that these pledges would
be redeemed, and Governor Hatfield
went upon the stump last. fall and
plead with the voters to send repre-.
sentatiyes I'd the Legislature who
would red eem these promises and give
the people other progressive laws that
he demanded. The legislature was
elected with a large Republican ma.
FORTY, and the people expected the
representatives to keep their prom
ises, and they did. Never before IN
the history Of the state has such q
long program Of progressive legisla'
ton been carried out so completely.
The county salaries law, the primary
election law the corrupt practices act.
and practically the entire program as
promised was enacted into law. 1t Is
true that some OF these measures are
not altogether what they should be.
The Representatives, coming as they
do,from all sections Of the state, with
constituents OF different and varied
opinions as to what should be done, 1t
was necessary to compromise here
and there on these various measures.
and concessions had to be made to
secure their adoption. This was clear
lys demonstratedE in the passage OF the
county salaries law. This measure
was originally drafted and introduced
with salaries which were considered
extremely low and was to go into ef.
feet In two years, thus reducing the
salaries OF the clerks who had six
years to serve. This OF course brought
q great lobby to Charleston. men from
both dominant parties. who protested
that they should be allowed to serve
out their terms before any reductions
were made. twas asserted by them
and their representatives that any
other plan would be unconstitutional.
So persistent we're they In their de-
mands, and SO influential were they.
that d concession was made to them
by which they would not be affected
BY the new law. Then a revision Of
tho salaries was made by the com.
mittee considering the bill and they
were slightly increased. The senate
then made further increases amount.
ing to about $4,000 for the entire
state. and the house protested against
these increases and refused to recedo
from IT'S action, making the passage
OF this bill seem extremely doubtful
even up to the last day of the session.
"A conference committee was then ap.
pointed to get the senate and house
togather ont the salaries and compro-
mise was finally made reducing the
senate's increases to about $4,000 for
the entire state, and after this change
had been made the bill was passed.
This shows how difficult It Is to get a
large body Of men to agree on any
one law. and these forced compro-
mises will account for most OF the de.
fects thatimay be found In the various
laws which have been enacted. This
plan was not only necessary in the
passage of the county salaries law,
but with most all other measures.
II would have been no more nor less
than o political calamity had the leg.
islature refused to pass the county
salaries law. Every Republican of the
legislature and most OF the Democrat.
tc members were in favor OF this
measure In some form. but the rub
came whenSa BILL was to be prepared
that would have the support of a ma.
jorttyl OF the votes In the legislature.
IL he salaries are too high in some
instances or too low in others, the
legislature can change thom later
from time to time as the business OF
the various counties increases or d.
ministes. Marion county will be as
Greatly benefited as any other county
In the state. The reduction Of the
shefiff's fees OF over $4,000 to a
$1,000 salary is a saving OF over $40.
600 on one Office. The clerks fees
have been reduced to less than half
under the salary plan. This county
VIII save under the new bill each year
something like $40 900 in salaries. It
Will haev another good effect on tina
county as Il will prevent the expendi.
ture of large sums of money to obtain
these offices, which alone has been
the one big factor in corrupting the
elections of this county. The tempta.
ton 70 get these fat, Jobs was too
great TO resist, and large amounts OF
money were put into the balance 20
obtain these Offices Now, since the
salaries are reduced to a comfortable
living basis, but still large enough to
attract good and competent men, the
fights Will not be based upon Inc
amount Of money put. into the cam.
paign, but upon the qualifications and
political standing of the men who
seek these Offices! ~.
Governor Hatfield Is to be conprat.
ulated upon his fight for his party's
Platform and the Legislature is to be
commended for what the people had
been promised and what they had a
right to expect at their hands.
TIE DOE arIrpe h0nrYr $500.