The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-03-10
GOVERNOR HATFIELD
EXPLAINS ATTITUDE

the legislatures do strenuously OPP
pose the direct method for the reason
that it is inequitable. This | dis
sage to the Legislature and quoted
high authorities and could have
quoted great many. more il space
had permitted me.
Eve can get along some way or
other, IL the legislature will only cur
tail the appropriation bill to comply
with article i O Of section 5. and close
up some Of our institutions. Has the
time come when the members OF the
senate feel that they cannot afford to
enact any revenue measures which do
not meet with corporate approval, as
they seem TO be directing the destiny
of at least a majority Of that body2 I
dwelt upon the subject OF retrogres-
sion and retrenchmenti in my message
on finance which here quote:
Two Courses Left.
There are only two courses left
open to use as a state. The first is
to stop the progress and development
OF our institutions and eliminate those
which can be most easily sacrificed
with the smallest amount Of harm,
and go into retrenchment in a mater
ial way and permit stagnation and
Tetrogression 70 say our hands as n
in the race with the
other states for civic betterment and
accomplishments. In some regards
we stand the peer of any other COM
Eionwealth. but il we are to hold our
place and not lag behind, we must go
forward in keeping with the demands
that are made upon us, as was point
ed out in my biennial message. in
which tried to picture the future Of
our commonwealth and prepare the
way for future administrations that
would in some manner make the task
less frksome and burdensome than it
is at the present time and has been
Experienced by those who proceeded
me as chief executive"
eff we have reached that plight in
cur states growth, let us have 1t, and
without further procrastination by
the senate. Further delay means
greater expense to the citizens. 1t has
been urged that should have sent
riy message on finance to the legisla-
fture sooner. If we are to Judge the
p1 esent com bination in the senate on
revenue matters. little or nothing of
the much needed legislation which
was passed would have been put
through if the revenue problem had
come up earlier.
reels justified.
''L feel quite justified in my course
in this regard, and have no apollo
gies to make. The privilege tax on
corporations that brought about So
much OF the wall was not introduced
in the house at this session, but in
stead an income tax with which I had
nothing whatever to do. This idea
seems to be as unpopular as other
methods that were considered at the
regular session. It is quite conclu-
sive to me that. and those
who would be affected by any Of
these special privilege methods Of
taxation are absolutely opposed to
them, regardless of their merits, and
it is my humble opinion that they will
be able to thwart and defeat any rev
enue measures Of this class.
Il feel sorry for some of these who
have permitted their better jud gmentl
to be affronted with passionate re-
marks and the other haransues and
unjustifiab1e statements made by the
subsidized press. This is only done to
becloud the issue and whatever hail
ness may arise at the present time
Will. lin the very near future be given
10 the rank ana HE, VINO III NY. 4Op1n-
ion will give the answer in no uncer-
tain terms. We have in the past ex-
|perienced procrastination by the legis-
lators upon great questions which
were near and dear to the people. We
Eave seen their wishes stayed and
their dreams thwarted by the insid-
|ious 10 bby that had behind it untold
wealth. This can only exist for W
short period of time. Equity and jus
tee will. sooner or later, prevail and
those who are most obstinate at the.
present time will feel the awakening
OF the people and when the crash
comes 1t will be a complete reversal.
az has been experienced in all grea.
romantic and social problems which
have confronted our state and the ma.
ton as we'll.
LAS to the unkind remarks that
have been made concerning me by
politicians who have been sorely dis
appointed because the people have not
given them favoraDIe consideratio ton.
and on account OF statements unkind-
~ made by some who have been mis-
Informed, I wish to say III my behalf