West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-02-04

comeists Review os ths Coed Work
Done BY the Bipartisan Court
Reed Carefully and Drew Your
Own Conclusions

Editor Argus:
For forty-fve years the Republican
party had absolute control OF Preston
county, during which time the county
practically stood still as far as permanent
improvements were concerned. No per-
manent improvements were made, except
two river bridges, few small iron
bridges, a few new by-roads and an aims
house. 1t was very thoughtful in them
to build the almshouse after taxing the
people to poverty and running the county
into debt, where il remained until biz
partisan court was elected and paid off
the debt. Until the election of the BIZ
partisan court the ofiice-holders and the
politicians absorbed all the revenue col
lected. Not until bipartisan court was
elected four years ago was any effort
made Tor permanent improvements. This
court during the four years did all it's
work with practically three years taxes.
They brought the county from CREDIT
basis to CASH basis and placed il in
the category OF progressive counties. The
first year very little was done in the way
OF improvements on account OF putting
the county on cash basis. Now, note
the difference: All the years under Re-
publican ring rule no one Was paid i'm
cash for service or commodities except
the ofiice-holders. For road and bridge
work it was all credit. Road supervisors
issued certificates and they were peddled
around among the stores and the money
lenders until fall when the sheriff began
to collect taxes, when he would pay them
OIL. If you needed little cash and took
1t to the money-lender he would have to
have his pound OF flesh 10y shaving your
order as close as you would stand for it.
This vicious system grew up under Re-
publican bossism and ring rule. 1t was
destroyed by the bipartisan court. Now
when you do work for .he county or sell
1t material the money is ready for you
instead OF orders on the county. Money
the sheriff collects this fall is issued to
pay bills this winter, spring and summer,
not bills that were contracted last fall
winter and summer.
During the four years this bipartisan
court has been in power it built nine
concrete bridges, which, with the APP
proaches, averaged 81, 900 each. They
will last for centuries. Nine iron bridges,
one OF them rive. bridge. Built road
from Bull Run down the mountain to
the river bridge. Built long needed
road from Masontown to Herring. Built
the largest part OF road from Austen to
NewburP, road that has been badly
needed for years. Bought one stone
crusher and engine, and a two-thirds'
interest in another crusher, the two cost
ing some 5000. Built 81, 600 barn on
the poorhouse farm in place of the one
destroyed by fire. Has brought the poor
house farm up from bill OF expense to
the taxpayers to self-sustaining institu-
ton. Put $500 worth of steel filing cases
in the vault of the circuit clerks office.
Fitted the county clerks Office with gas
lights and stoves, q new Burroughs add
ing machine, book typewriter. Fitted
and furnished an office for,the county
superintendent of schools. Refitted and
furnished offices for the sheriff. prose-
cutting attorney ard assessor. Refitted
the circuit couf room with flooring.
chairs and gas1ights. But the greatest
improvement of all and the one that is
the most benefit to the people is the inn
proyement in the county roads. The
roads were improved at least fifty per
cent. A great many open breakers have
been eliminated by the substitution of
iron pipe, tile or concrete. Rocks blasted
out of the roa Is and bitches made
Brush cut from the side of the roads.
Loose rocks removed from the roads and
splendid bitches made, as drainage is
the most important thing i'm road max
ing. Had fine bridge built at NJ. &K.
Junction, which eliminates a dangerous
crossing and accommodates a large num-
Der of people. Besides this, the court
had a complete audit of the accounts of
the present and some OF the ex-county
officials. Recovered several thousand
dollars and have an excellent chance of
recovering several thousand more. Paid
OIL an Indebtedness which had been
hanging over the county for years. The
court did all this. besides paying running
expenses, which have been greatly i'm.
creased, owing to the Dawson tax laws
which send back to the counties much
to pay that was formerly paid by the
state under the old laws. Take alone
the item of criminal charges, court
charges and jury charges and the cost
last year was $500. In addition they
have created new, offices and increased
the salaries.
Such is the record Of the bipartisan
court. Let the unbiased and unpreiu-
diced taxpayer study it carefully and he
Will have TO admit that the affairs were
conducted in business manner and par.
tIsan politics wholly ignored. There is
no political party that can claim credit
for the good work done by this court
The credit belongs TO the individual
members, two Of which, Messrs. jenkins
and Sidwell, are members Of the present
court. Sol Ppfxaty