The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-03
THE TUNES ooNIF.EssEs.

The Times gives for the first time
since the November election a pretty
accurate review of business condi:
lions, which brands as false all 1t said
during the last campaign and all it
has said since to bolster up its losing
cause.
II admits that the merchants will
have 10 carry on their shelves fall and
winter goods through tho summer. 1t
will be remembered that the Times,
only o few weeks ago, sent its repre-
sentative to visit the merchants for
Interviews and found one store whici
had done more business through the
holidays than it did the year before.
II attempted 10 make 1t appear that
trade condit ons were never better in
Fairmorit. Itnowt confesses to its dc.
ception and tells the truth about the
conditions. II you have any doubt
about business conditions, not only in
Fairmont but all over the country,
ask the merchants how business ls.
Go into most any store in the city
and see what reply the proprietor will
make to this inquiry.
But the Joke OF the whole matter is
that the Times lays all this blame
upon the West Virginian and its con.
sorts. The Times. we repeat, again
does US too much honor. We know
the West Virginian Yields potential
influence in this community. We know
the people are behind its policy. We
know that It is adding hundreds OF
new readers to its. list every week,
hut we do not claim the power to de.
stroy the commerce OF tho entire
Fairmont coal region and shut down
the mines. Nothing but a Democratic
tartff policy could bring this calamity
about. The West Virginian does con.
fess 10 acduainting the public with
the business conditions as they exist
ed at the time of the election. and
before, and showed the cause for the
depression with the hope that tho
voters would remove the cause. They
failed to do IL then. but they have
made up their mind to attend to it at
the first Opportunity.
There were not only national
causes behind the local conditions.
but there was "a local cause, and that
was the dissati sfaction with the locat
! government which had saddled a large
floating debt upon; the people and was
fast Increasing It by inaugurating' u
100000 yearly salary grab In an effort
30 build up 10 political machine at the
expense of the taxpayers.
The Times talks as IL no Republican
is engaged in the merchandise busi.
ness In Fairmont, that no Republican
lisa stockholder or director in bank.
that none of them have real estate in.
yestments to be affected by political
condit ions, Why, bless your sweet
life the Republicans own about half
the taxable property in Fairmont, and
they are only clamoring for represen-
tation In their. city government, which
they viii have under the new charter.
They know under what national policy
business Is good, and they have fear.
lessly advocated that policy and will
continue to do so, the Times notwith.
standing. They pointed out the pit
falls and business has fallen in them.
They are ready and willing to help
pull business out Of the rut and they
will keep on 2tugging at It until it is
again placed on the solid track of
prosperity. This they intend to do
and 1t will be done, never fear. 1t Is
true that Democrats, Republicans, So.
cialistsf and the members Of all other
parties as well as their wives and
children and their business, must sui.
fer while this is being done, but 1t is
the penalty that is imposed for
straying after a minority party and
giving Il control of the national gov.
eminent tits true that 1t was all
done b va political accident. 1t Is true
that Il was not endorsed by a major
lily Of the voters Of the country, but,
neverthel ess, we have the conditions,
and We have no accident insurance
against such a calamity. 1t would be
q good policy for the national govern.
ment 10 take out an accident policy
against the possibility Of another
Democrat tic administration.