davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
State Editors.
LANoHoLDlNe coRpoRATloNs.

Since the days Of the Gracchi in
Rome it has been recognized by
students of political and social
science in all times and climes that
serious political and economical dis,
advantages attend any system OF
land ownership which creates vast
landed estates with absentee land.
lords. The agrarian troubles of an.
ctenc Rome, the French Revolution,
the militant movement in Russia, the
long and bitter class struggle in Ire.
land all had their origin in conditions
which permitted the ownership OF the
surface OF the earth by the few, and
the consequent exploitation of the
many.
Without much recognition Of the
fact by the people of West Virginia,
an enormous portion OF the total area
Of the state has gradually passed into
the control OF few individuals aud
corporations. Counting the lands
held by corporations in fee, those held
under lease, and those on which great
corporations are holders OF coal, oil,
gas and timber rights, 1t is probable
that two.fiiths Of the. entire area OF
the state is held, in whole OF in part,
under some form of tenure, by land.
lords in the form Of corporations.
There is before the legislature a
bill to impose a small license tax
on all such holdings in excess OF five
thousand acres. The proposed tax
is to be imposed on the privilege OF
holding excessively large tracts Of
land or, interests therein, and It is
fixed at the very moderate flat rate
OF five cents for the privilege OF hold
Ing each acre in excess of five thous.
and acres. 1t should yield consider.
able revenue to the state, but Is will
serve a still more important purpose
II It calls the attention of West Viz.
ginians sharply to the possible dan.
gers OF the tendency which has been
concentrating the ownership of our
natural resources in the hands Of a
few great corporate interests. : The
operation of the law would give us
official records showing the extent To
which West Virginia Is running risk
OF having some day to deal with con-
ditions involving a contest between
vested rights and human rights such
as for so long vexed the British
parliament and the people OF Ireland.
-Morgantown Post Chronicle.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
Peoples Forum

The mayors Exposition Of the
New Charter" has merged into an
encomium on the present commits.
sioners and an ungentlemanly TRADE
OF falsehood about good citizens OF
this city who favor the new charter
because OF economic and business
reasons, He is even bold enough, to
call the supporters OF the new char.
ter. Political Conspirators. This Is
very plain talk to be engaged in by
one whose political relation to Fa-s.
mont have been SO brief. The al.
nifty Of the office Of mayor is being
much lowered when an encumbent OF
that office occupies his time lin an
attempt to show that such respected
and longtime citizens as Judge Ma.
son, ]. NJ. Hartley, ]. NJ. Jacobs,
George E. Amos and others who orig.
inally endorsed the new charter are
political Conspirators.r TT NJ
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
slxTX.THIRp CONGRESS.

The Sixty.third Congress, now dis.
persed, was thoroughly typical OF the
Inhabitants Of the United States.
Having their virtues, It necessarily
had their faults, one OF the chief OF
which is extravaganza.
The appropriations OF this Congress,
the first having a Democratic ma.
jority in both Houses since the Fifty.
third Congress, which sat In 1S93.a5,
aggregate S2,237 100000. The total
appropriations by the Fifty-third Con.
gress, twenty years ago, were S917..
100000. At that time billion-dollar
Congress was thought to be inexcus.
ably wasteful. or late we have had
two.billion:dollar Congresses as a
regular thing. and now We are taking
leave on one that has made a record
OF almost two and one-quarter bill.
lions.
This is the one great fault Of the
Sixty.third Congress. 1t had time for
most things except economy. It was
mindful Of its pledges except that re.
lating to retrenehment. It corrected
abuses Of taxation. finance, banking
and law, but it could not, at least It
did not, make even an attempt to
check the lavishnessl Of the nation. In
that respect 1t simply ,drifted with the
tide. ~
Has the Federal government be.
come so lunwieldy, so overloaded with
excuses and 30 committed I'd prodis.
atty that no political party Is CAPABLE
OF correcting the wrong which IS at
the root OF nearly all other wrongs -
New York World.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
CERTAINLY sol

Il do not say that three directors
under the new charter may not give
as good returns. as economical and
efficient government as is now given
with four commissioners" - Mayor
Bowen.
That's what we have been saying
all the time. In fact it is our opinion
that one good man could do this. We
are Informed that one of the present
commissioners said only few days
ago that any one OF the four commits.
sioners now employed could do the
work OF all four Just as efficiently as
1t Is now being done.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
backs Of the farmers and home own.

hetSne W sAN Aat AASA . RAN htMc oNh-
ers. The bill to tax great landed es:
tates would yield very large reven-
ue, and the tax would fall on wealth
rather than on poverty. No small
part Of that tax would have to be met
by absentee landlords who get mil.
lions Of dollars in royalties from their
West Virginia estates and make little
or no contribution through ordinary
channels of taxation to the support
Of our state institutions. But the
Democrats and their Republican allies
seem to prefer to tax every farmer in
West Virginia rather than put even
tax Of five cents an acre on the hold
ings Of the land.grabbing corporations.
1t is the corporations versus the farm.
ers, and the farmers send very few
lobbyists to Charleston to fight their
battle. The third house Is unanimous.
ly in favor of taxing the farmers and
If turning down the income tax and
the land tax bills.-Charleston Post.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
elected to each house concurrfng

elected 20 each house concurring In
the removal
II Is provided that the officer pro.
ceeded against must first have rea.
gsonable notice of the charges alleged
against him and Of the time they viii
be investigated; and an opportunity
to make his defense in person or by
counsel, before the legislature or any
committee appointed to investigate
the charges.
There is another provision in the
Code, in section nine OF chapter seven
which gives the governor the right
TO remove any OF the officers men.
TONED for any Of the causes named
in section seven during the recess Of
the legislature.
But In such case, unless the officer
SO removed be the secretary OF state,
the governor shall communicate to
the legislature Immediately after the
beginning Of the next session the fact
Of the removal and the cause thereof,
and If the legislature by joint resol,l.
ton dtsapproyes OF the removal, the
officer shall thereby be reinstated in
his office.
That a difference exists, is to be
regretted by the mutual friends OF
these two high officials OF the state.
AS 1t Is 1t seems to be only personal,
and others have refused to take any
hand in the controversy. The gov.
erlor surely has not such Intentions
Us are credited to him through the
circulation OF this uncontirmed rumor.
1t is further alleged that detectives
have been Swallowing General Lilly
for some time and have followed him
10 Washington, New York and other
places In an effort to get some cvi.
dence against him Of personal ma.
ture.
II this is SO, this sinister intrusion
upon his liberty is as reprehensibie as
any alleged misconduct, The evidence
of which might be obtained in any
such manner. General Lilly is a most
popular official. He was elected by
the voters OF the state by a most
handsome majority. He is big hearted
and true to his friends aud has never,
at any time, forsaken them in order
" AAt LlIti ahS VI NE pet5olidh Rlaua
and such friends as he has thus made,
and in this manner held. will quickly
resent any attempt that might be
made to remove him from office,
should 1t be made.
We take It that whatever Governor
Hatfleld's personal opinion OF General
Lilly is, and whatever his differences
with him may be, that he is in the
first place too sane a politician; and
secondly, too broad a man, to under.
take plan Of reprisal of this kind
This would, in our opinion, very ma.
terlally weaken Governor, Hatfield
with the people of the state, who have
found him to be their friend and one
of their most able and fearless execu-
tiyes, and it might have the further
disastrous effect OF disrupting the
party, which now stands in need at
this criticize time, of the united and
loyal support Of all. Republicans, no
matter what their personal differences
may be.
Our advice is, II any such thought
as the removal of the attorney gen.
eral exIsts-forget It.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
CORPORATIONS Or FARMERse

Nowhere has the big question that
is up to the lawmakers In the special
session been stated so nakedly as in
the Charleston Gazette OF last Sun.
day morning. That question is, shall
the deficit be met by taxing the farm
ers or the corporations? The Demo.
Gratis in the senate voted solidly
against taxing the corporations. and
they were Joined In that vote by a
small group OF Republicans. The in.
crease OF the direct tax. levy means
an increased burden on every farm
and home in West Virginia. The COR
poratlon income tax means that the
necessary revenue would be drawn
in large measure from Interests en-;
5oying immensely valuable special
privileges:
s The income tax Is not indeed. the
only means by which the burden
might be equitabiy shifted from the
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
THE RESPONSIBLE ONES.

II the provisions for revenue 10
meet the appropriations made by the
legislature are not made the Fair.
mont Normal school will lose the $780,.
600 necessary to construct the, now
building and Senator Lowe, and the
Democratic representatives in the
legislature from this county, who have
obstructed every effort to provide the
revenue will be held responsible by
the people.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

Client signatures and the commissions
ers refused to honor them on tho
tiimsy, technical ground that they
were filed one day too late.
Does this look like the commissions
ers wanted to give the people the fair
deal that the Mayor now boasts about?
Does this look as IL they wanted to
submit their action to the approval OF
the people?
They raised the howl that 1t would
cost $500 to hold. the election. Tho
West Virginian met this with the pro-
posal to pay every dollar OF the ex.
pense of that election over 5000.
They then said they would lose pos.
tai card notices which had already
been printed notifying the people that
they were to be held up for $4,000
per year to provide more money for
the salary grabbers and to keep the
little army of meter inspectors, water
inspectors, henchmen. petition destroy.
ers, intimidators. blackmailers and
boycotters well paid and we'll fed.
1t was then shown that these postal
notices had cost the city only about
$40 or $40 and then broad grin
spread over the countenance OF Fair.
mont and the commissioners were
given the merry Ha! Hal" They
discovered that they had not given
the people the notice required by the
charter by publishing the water ordi.
nance, although there are two lawyers
on the commission and two other law.
yers on the city pay roll. Finding
that their water grab was for this
reason invalidated they repealed II,
and so strong was the protest against
their action that they have not to
this day dared to resurrect the infa.
nous water ordinance, although they
have had 1t in their power to do so
every day since that time. M
The West Virginian would be pow.
erless to prevent them from enacting
any ordinance unless the people were
behind the paper. This paper pro.
fesses to have no influence with the
city hall crowd. They do not respect
its wishes and why do these commits.
sioners give 1t so much credit in re.
gard to the water ordinance? 1t Is
because they fear the wrath of an out.
ragged public. That's the reason ani
the only one.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
SUFFICIENT WARNING.

In the estimation OF the reactionary
Democratic press Of the state. the
"ablest Republican newspaper" 'the
strongest Republican newspapers In
the State" ETC.. are the ones which
are opposing the Republican program
of legislation and assisting the Demo-
cratic obstructionists. Such Decio.
cratic praise should be sufficient
warning to the papers receiving It.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

las thisa Did; the bosses want YOU to-
make Il $4,000 or $50. 900 instead OF
s2o,o002 IL they did II Is indeed al
shame that you are mot given a little
more time to carry out the wishes OF
the Office Holders, Trust.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
SAVING BOTH WAYS.

On matters of state politics the
Charleston Mail and the Gazette are
in such harmonious accord We do not
sec why merger OF the plants would
not be good.stroke Of business diplo.
macy. Think Of the saving in both
overhead and nnderhand expense!
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
A MEAstY SHAME. INpEeo.

1.-THE commissioners have been de.
MED their just rights OF an opportun.
ity to make good. Mayor Bowen.
We don't know about this. They
have certainly rendered satisfactor,
service to the bosses In whose employ
they have been. Have they not gotten
away with o S20. 900 Salary Grab the
first year and built up "a political ma.
chine that Is a little wonder? Why
worry over such an accomplishment
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

|, The common or garden variety OF
fool is not particularly Objectionable.
Most Of the annoyance in> that con.
nection comes from the fool who
claims to know it all.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
PLAINLY APPARENT,

"TtIe new charter combines the OF.
fee of director Of finance with that Of
city treasurer. The purpose OF this Is
apparent."-Mayor Bowen.
Why certainly. It is plainly apparent
that 1t will save the city the s1,500
salary now being paid the treasurer.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

Those who have taken the pains to
look up the Rev. Billy Sundays record
as player have discovered that the
Rev. Mr.. Sunday hits them much
harder from the pulpit than he did on
the ball field.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
ONE DANGER.

There is one danger in the ratifiea-
ton of the new charter by the Mayor,
the Times, and the city hall crowd,
and that Is It may be rendered ve:y
unpopular by their approval.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

There is a good deal of adverse
criticism directed at society, but OBJ.
servation will show that society PEG.
pie behave as well as any other class
and are more polite about 1t.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

DISRUPTED AND DISCOUNTED.
I'VE are still disrupted and disjoint
ed."-Mayor Bowen In the Times.
Call an ambulance at once! Get {
surgeon and the smelling salts!
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
WHAIi

"Reprisals are considered. Mayor
Bowen.
What! Does this mean another
SIS 900 water ordinance OF an addition
to the salary grab?
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

The worst fooled man is the one
who goes into business for himself
because he wants to be his own boss.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

Among the other annoyances Of
teaching are the parents who insist on
visiting the school to see how their
children are getting along.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

II you wish 10 attract a good deal
of attention pretend that your fool
notions are in the interest OF human
ity.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

If a man is successful half the peo.
pie believe his wife made" him and
the other half believe his employees
did 1t.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

A man is making fair progress II he
has more sense now than he had last
year.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08

What is this Hydra.Headed Elec.
trio business we hear so much about?
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-08
WHEN JOHNNY COMES
MARCHING HOME:


When Johnny comes marching home
again, hurrah. hurrahi
Well give, him a; hearty welcome then
hurrah, hurrahi
The men will cheer, the boys will
shout, II
The ladies', they will all turn out.
And we'll feel gay when Johnny comes
marching home.
The old church bell will peal with Joy
hurrah, hurrah!
To welcome home our darling boy
hurrah. hurrah! .
The village lads and lassies say,
With roses they will strew the way.
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny
comes marching home. s
Get ready for the jubilee, hurrah,
. hurrah!
Well give the hero three times three,
hurrah,, hurrah! IN
The laurel wreath is ready now,
To place upon his loyal brow,
And we'll all fee gay when Johnny
comes marching home.
Let love and friendship on that day,
hurraE, hurrah!
Their choicest treasures then display,
hurrah, hurrah!
And let each one perform some part,
To fill with Joy the warriors heart,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny
comes marching home.
Milford chronicle., 1915-01-01
BURRSVILLE

This is moving week about this vicin-
ity for those who will change their homes
for another year. w. S. Wooters will
move from the village to his farm near
here, and Arthur Culvey the tenant there
will move to the Grinnage farm, which
he bought.
Mollie Cahall will occupy the house
vacated by Mr.. Wooters, and her brother
Thomas E. Cahall will move to the farm
she vacates.
Gilbert Breeding goes to the William
Wooters, Sr. farm, near Hickman, ard
lanes Lister comes from Thomas Eli
ways farm to the house vacated by Mr..
Breeding. =.
Charles L. Caha1l, of Philadelphia, is
visiting friends here.
A. ]. Billings and wife were holiday
visitors of her parents here.
Mrs. Ashland is visiting her daughter
near Ridgley.
Mary Breeding has returned from the
hospital, and is much improved.
Mrs. Harvey is quite i'll.
There will be service in the church al
Wesley next Sunday.
Milford chronicle., 1915-01-01
ADAMS CROSS : ROADS

Although this is only a crossroads the
people of hereabouts enjoy a great deal
of social entertaining among themselves:
This Christmas has been exceptional
for this, and no tables in the world ever
presented more tempting viands than
those of the 70. .ehanded folks of Adams
Cross -Rroads. A large dinner party was
given at the home of W. 1. Hubbard on
Saturday evening, at which five of their
near friends took part.
Miss Esther Adams was guest at the
home of her cousin for Christmas.
Lottie Deore, of Philadelphia, is a
guest of her grandmother, Mrs D. c.
Adams
Emma Collision was weekend visitor
with her sister, Mrs. {. W. Adams.
D. c. Adams entertained large num-
Der of friends from Br1dgeville over Sun
day.
lanes Johnson entertained his sister
from Epworth Districton Christmas.
Calvin Scott and wife passed part of
their holidays with Smithville friends,
while several others have been sporting
in Baltimore.
Milford chronicle., 1915-01-01
KITCHENS CROSS ROADS

The holidays have been marked by
pleasant social intercourse among the
people of this district near to both Rob
bins and Redden, and as everybody
seems to be contented with their lot,
the old year must have been kind to
them generally.
Cove S. Lynch last week butchered a
pen of four hogs which made him ll4e
pounds of pork, and so the future meat
supply there is assured.
The social visiting affected about all
of the people Miss Florence Derrick
son was a guest of Miss Della Dutton.
Walter Fisher of Wilmington, was Z
guest of his parents, William, Fisher
and wife. Cove S. Lynch and wltee,
with Miss Elizabeth, were with H. j..
Burton and William Southland, guests
of H. T. Messick on Sunday.
Francis Kitchens gave social party
last Saturday evening at which twenty
young ladies' and thirty-fve young men
were present and had fine time.
James Webb is passing few days
here with his sister, Mrs. Carrie Burton.
lanes Workman and family enter
tanned Mr.. and Mrs. Kline on Sunday.
Alonzo Workman has been visiting
his grandparents, G. H. Messlck and
Robert Dutton, and family of Virginia,
have been guesis of his uncle, G. R.
Messick. 90
G. Vannie MA ck and family of
Redden, have b IN n, a,feW IIsl
with his parents pose.-Y Youths CoI
Milford chronicle., 1915-01-01
LINCOLN CITY.


Miss Louise Clendaniel is spending the
week in Wilmington.
Mr.. and Mrs. Willoughby Beideman
are entertaining Oscar Johnson and wife,
of Camden, n. ]. and Howard Beideman,
wife and children, OF Philadelphia:
Clarence Pierce and wife are visiting
his father, Foster Pierce.
Mrs. Chas. Walls has had as her guest
Miss Linda Hudson, of Lewes.
Miss Laura Calhoon is spending the
holidays in Lincoln.
Henry Hatfield, wife and children, OF
Camden, N. j., have been visiting reia-
tives and friends for the past week.
The wedding bells a. le playing lair
tune in our little town, even among our
school teachers. On Tuesday ohm west
principle of our school, and Miss Annie
Benson, ,-of near Ellendale, were married
at the BRIDES home. They left on the
afternoon train for parts unknown.
On Monday last Miss Martha COOK ana
Wm. Curtain, both residents of this town
visited Dover and were married. We WISH
them happy and prosperous life.
George Hatfield and wife, OF Camden
n. j., are visiting Mr.. J.. \. LeSompt
Hobart Morrison, of New YORK, II
spending the holiday season with his par
ents.
Mr.. Edward Harder, who is suffering
from blood poison, improves very slowly
The Misses Sara Donovan, of Whining
ton, and Mabel Donovan, of Claymont
are visiting their parents.
The people of Lincoln City gave thei
pastor fifteen pound turkey with whicl
to grace his Christmas dinner.
Mr.. Corbitt Steen of Millsboro, spen
Sunday with Rev. and Mrs. J. H. Gard
ner. Mr.. Gardner was his former pas
tor.
The people of Cedar Neck Church CAV
fine Christmas entertainment on Tues
day evening of this week, and remem
bered their pastor by giving him dresse
chickens, sugar, sausage, etc.
Rev. I. H. Gardner will preach Ne'
Years sermon on the circuit next Sun
day. Slaughter Neck, 1870 a. m; Ce
dar Neck, 2.30 p. m, and 7.3O p. m.
Lincoln City.
Rev. ]. II. Gardner expects to atten
next week the Billy Sunday meeting
Philadelphia.
As Friday, January 1st, is the al.
legal holiday the rural mail carr'srs ar
excused from making their tips. tn
mail for rural routes will nfN De 1ellver
ed until Saturday.
On Wednesday evening, December 50
1914. Miss Irma G. POstles and Mr.. JONI
LeCompt. both of Lincoln City, wer
Joined in matrimony by the Rev. J. n
Gardner. The time and place was KEEP
secret bv the parties, but as usual tn
facts became known to few of the mos
intimate friends.