Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-11-25
Let Us Nonin.t. A Big Nan For
Governor.

probably be settled BY the character
and qualifications Of its candidate for
Governor. Certainly the people Of
West Virginia have grown tired of the
kind Of Governors who have shaped its
policies and almost destroyed its repu-
tation Is State 10 the last fourteen
years 1t is not the purpose Of The
Times just now to engage in much crit
icism Of the many mistakes which have
been produced by the incapscity of the
occupants of the gubernatoriaI chair
and their inability to rise above small
politics in the ait mpted adjustment Of
matters Of serious import to the citi-
zens of the whole commonwealth. But
the people cannot be oblivious to these
mistakes and their very disastrous con-
sequences to the taxpayers and the
business of the State. says the Fair
mont Tines.
The financial condition and reputa-
ton of West Virginia has been put in
jeopardy by the stupidity and hard
hssnedness of its governors. who have
assumed to have all the wisdom neces
sary to deal with public questions and
who have botched nearly every matter
they have attempted to adjust.
Let us by way of illustration al ude
to one or two such instances, without
desiring in the least to aasail the per-
sonal integrity or reflect upon the sin
certify of the incapables who have been
elected to Lhe most important off e in
the, State
when West Virginia was confronted
with suit in the Supr ms Court Of
the United States to determine the
amount of debt she might be called up.
on to pay to the holders of the Virginia
debt certificates. ordinary prudence
would have caused a ,chief executive
VINO had any conception of the gravity
of the threatened proceedings to en-
ploy lawyers of the greatest reputa
tion and ability to meet that epleI did
array of legal talent and learning Sc
lected by Virginia and the bond hold
ing syndicate to press their c4sa
yainst West Virginia. How did tha
governor meet this grave situation?
Unfortunately, he seemed 70 regard
the immense sum voted by The Legi.-
lature for legal defense aa a political
pefquisite to be dis ibu+ed an o per
sonal friends and some who wanted to
be on the payroll Of the State. While
Virginia employed Holmes Conrad and
men of his kind to represent that State
our governor selected Vim M, y. Daw-
son ard that kind to represent West
Virginia. Is there any wond that
West Virginia is paying for such ca
pacity as this? prominent R"plbi
ear, whose name is household wore
i'll nearly every section of West Vlr-
GINA. stated at the Board of. Trade
FIN" citing in Farm mt that when one Of
| the GU S de attorneys employed to
fgive some little prestige to the IVES,
Virginia defense, was asked by one II
the justices of The Sup eme Court if
West Virginia had ever made an,
overtures of settlement to Virginia. b.
halted, ran his hand dawn in his peck e.
AID finally answered that he did net
know. Was ever a case go badly m All,
aged when the principal attorney, =
man who was then tottering on The
brink of the grave, and who may b..
ex FUSED by reason of age and infrmiis
from making proper defense. didn't
know enough about the case to know
thot West Vir sinia had time and agai
sought to make settlement aud had
sent commissions to Richmond for
that very purpose? So we are about
to pay the penalty Of snch mismansge
ment.
Again the strikes in the Paint and
| Cabin Creek regions cost the State
nearly half million dollars and a
number of lives when strong and ca
pable executive would have stamped
the trouble out in week. But again
cheap politics were played with the
usual results.
The mistakes of the present execu-
tive are before US likezan open book
We have seen State taxation increas
taed beyond all rea~on to provide 20
litical machine to serve personal am
billions: but such mistakes will have
due publicity in their proper season.
These mistakes certainly will prove
an object lesson to the voters of West
Virginia.
They will certainly begin 10 realize
soon. if they do not now, that the Of
fee of Governor of West Virginia is a
full sized mans job. That a man
must have. capacity, wisdom, firmnes,
and patriotism to discharge its duties.
That there is vastly more in it than
The mere gratifying of the ambitions
or wishes of some Individual whose
bump of conceit inspires MIN with an
idea that he should be governor. With
the control of all the public institu-
tions in his hands. the regulation and
policies affecting the great business
interests of the State practically I'M
der his direction. the people cannot
afford to take further risks of inexper-
fence, incompetency and political char
Iatanism in that great Office. Many
Republicans have learned the lesson.
They are beginning to say that it isn't
matter of SO much Importance what
party governor may represent if only
he is a governor big enough and with
brains enough to measure up to the
great responsibilities that attach to
the position.