The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-01-04
UNFOLDING COVER.

NOR HATFIELD.
During every campaign in West Wiz.
GINA for the past sixteen years, since
the Republican party has been push.
ing West Virginia to the front in
most progressive manner, we have
had to contend with the idle, sense.
less and baseless charge Of reckless
extravaganza in the management OF
The states affairs.
But when we examine the figures
and find that the cost Of our state
government is only about $3.50 per
capita, about one.fourth that Of our
sister states, Ohio and Pennsylvania,
those charges disappear under the
white light of publicity into vague
mist OF deception.
The charge OF extravaganza was re.
peated last fall, but our Democratic
friends never paused to criticise their
own party for the largest expenditure
ever made by the national govern.
ment, running the expenses far over
the billion dollar mark, making a war
tax, In time Of peace, necessary to
cover up the yawning deficit IN the
treasury, In face of their pledge
for economy. oh, no! Because Gov.
ernor Hatfield had the courage to 20
upon the stump and tell the voters
the truth about the states affairs,
telling them that the next legislature
would be asked to appropriate and
provide for more money to keep the
state institutions in good order and
to provide for the constantly growing
increase in the states expenses, our
Democratic friends berated him and
the Republican party for gross ex.
trayagance. The Governor explained
TO tho satisfaction Of the voters the
necessity for this extra money. He
showed that by reason Of the prohl.
httion amendment that the loss OF
license reyenuelt to the state was about
three-quarters Of a million dollars
per yea, and then there was the cost
of the strike at Paint Greek amount.
ing TO about a half a million dollars
more. an expense wholly unexpected
and unproyided for. but without these
two large and extraordinary losses
there would of necessity have been
need for more money as our institu.
tons are constantly growing and they
must keep pace with the growth in
population and the cost OF supplies
for the state.
The amount needed Is about a mil.
lion and a quarter dollars which
would make the per capita cost Of
the state government only about
$3.50, only one:third that of Pennsyl.
yania. II viii add only one dollar
per capita to the cost and the Gov.
ernor can have our dollar any time
he wants II and we will not complain
II he runs II up near the FIVE dollar
mark, provided we get improvements,
better schools, free school books IRE
room and better accommodate g at
our various state institutions, good
roads and many other things that are
necessary TO- attract people to West
virginia to live.
Governor Hatfield, from his long ex.
perienee in the public service. knows
the states needs as no other man
knows them. He is "a walking ency.
clopedia OF information on the sta.
tisttcs OF West Virginia and can talk
of them and quote figures for hours
like q rapid calculator. The people
have confidence in his honesty OF
PURPOSE and his ability to properly
expend any money that Is entrusted
to his administration. We say give
Governor Hatfield free reign and let
him make West Virginia grow.
He has been fearless in the matter
Of asking for more money as he al.