The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-12
ONE FEARLESS 3pEMocRAT.

has one fearless Democrat in It who
Is not afraid TO speak HIS mind. and
who does not put the dollar above the
interest of the people. was evidenced
yesterday when Delegate Talbot, OF
Webster county, got up to explain his
vote on the measure placing produc.
ton tax upon coal oil and gas, which
has been opposed by the solid Demo.
cratic minority and several Repub.
Iican senators who have so far
blocked the passage of this measure
In an attempt to force a direct state
tax upon the people.
MI. Talbot, whose Democracy can
not be Questioned, and who repre-.
SCENTS one OF the strongest Democratic
counties In the state, upon arising
from his seat, said Il regret very
much, indeed, to see the members Of
the minority side OF this house vote
70 eliminate the word people,, and
insert in lieu thereof tbs word,
dollars..i"
The action OF Mr.. Talbot created
considerable excitement in the house.
His speech was in the nature Of a
bomb In the Dem cratic camp. Dele.
gate Akin, OF Marion county, who
votes first, In explaining his vote
against the bill. said: II 1t was not
for the coal Companies he would not
have Job. Mr. Talbot replied that
he did not owe his Job in the legisla.
ture nor at home to the coal, oil and
gas companies.
When the name Of Mr.. Talbot was
reached he rose and explained his
vote as follows.
For the last eight or ten years the
Democratic party In my county, in
mass meeting assembled, have unani.
mously adopted a resolution instruc.
ting its representative in the legisla-
tlre to vote for Q production tax on
coal, all and gas. could not vote
against this bill and return to my
county without an sunbroken pledge.
have always understood the Demo.
cratic party stands for that principle
which brings the greatest good to the
greatest number OF people. And l re.
gret very much indeed to see the
members o. the minority side of this
house vote to eliminate the word
people, and insert in lieu thereof the
word, dollars.'
THAT seems to be the position OF
Some Of the gentlemen here, and
think that the gentleman from Mar
ion tMr. Akins) pretty nearly voices
the sentiment of every minority mem
Der who votes against this bill when
he said, ..but for the coal, oil and gas
interests in this state he would not
have q Job. j do not have any job
here ON the floor of this house or at
home with these interests. ! am
free, untrammeled representative OF
the people. and, therefore, l vote
.Aye.se
TO show how quick the special in.
terests, or those in sympathy with
them, jump upon a man who shows
some signs Of independence, James
w. Weir, formerly political secretary
Of ex-senator O. w. Watson, now the
press agent OF the Democratic party
and special dispenser OF twisted
news" reports for tho Fairmont
Times, Wheeling Register and other.
Watsonized newspapers, and who rep.
resents Randolph; county in the house,
seemingly as a side line. rose to his
feet when hisaname was called and
severely criticised Delegate Talbot
for impuning his motives for his vote
against the bill. II did not occur to
Mr.. Weir that the roll call was made
IN Alphabetical order that Mr.. Tai.
bolts name was called first and that
he voted before Mr.. Weir did, and OF
course could not 4impugn q mans mo.
tive for something he had not yet
done. There is a parliamentary rule OF
the legislature which prevents any
member from impugning the motives
OF any other member. 1t is behind
this rule that the corporation hire
iings hide and snap at independent
men when they dare do their duty
towards their Constituents.