The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-04
BIPARTISAN FARCE
rule E.ISU|N||M||l|A!SkIED.
Legislature Sees Trickery
Of Democratic Office
Holders Trust.

O. : d 3
CHARLESTON, Feb. 4.-The Fair:
mont Charter bill which was thrashed
out before the House Committee on
Counties, Districts and Municipalities
Tuesday afternoon and recommended
for passage is in the. hands of the
printer and willcome before the House
in a few days.
Delegate Ira Akin made a brief pro-
test against the bill stating that the
people did not want Il and presented a
petition of protest against the bill, but
the petition was "loves' labor lost"
when, a petition for recall was present.
ed to Offset, which Commissioners re.
fused to honor. W.sR. Riggs who was
at Charleston two years ago with
a Democratic delegation appeared
against the bill and pulled that old
Chestnut stating that the editor OF the
West Virginian was a defeated candi.
date for city commissioner so often
referred to by the Times but when g..
w. Robinson took him to; task fol. .S.iiis
statement Mr.. Riggs admitted that he
was mistaken, and this OF course dis.
credited him with the committee. May
or. Bowen was made. the goat for the
city! administration which sent him
here to defend the present.regime and
some ofsthe Fairmont delegation said
some very plain things to the mayor
that they say they regret he forced
them to say.
Geo: E. Miller also appeared for the
Office. Holders Trust to defend the
Salary Grabbers. He stated that he
used to be q Republican and that he
knew that the Republicans OF Fair.
mont were more corrupt in elections
than the Democrats and asserted that
the Democrats had never burnt any
ballots to cover up their deeds. He was
forced to admit that the man who was
accused of doing this was at this time
one,of the city commissioners who was
protesting against the new charter and
his remarks after this admission help.
ed the cause Of the Charter advocates
more than anything else that was said.
John Guy Prichard replied to Mr..
Miller and told the committee that he
was a hired man in the employ Of SEN
htoi "atSuu.7 WI. t1EICLhTut IIlaue q
strong speech and unmasked Mr.. Mil.
Ter. very much to the pleasure of the
Fairmont people who heard him. It
was shown to the committee that the
present system had cost the people Of
Fairmont s20,000.00 in extra salaries
and wages for the first year, that the
new charter reduced the salaries and
the number of commissioners to three
saving the city annually about $4,000
in direct salaries alone besides limiting
the salaries Of all appointed offices,
preventing salary grab in the future.
Those appearing in behalf OF the
people. before the committee were M.
E. Morgan, Rollo Conley, j. G. Prich.
ard, j. NJ. Jacobs, r. T. Cunningham,
NJ: c.. Lough and L. M. Davis. The new
charter will come before the House
as soon at tits printed and there seems
to be no doubt OF its passage.
1t is absolutely fair to all parties,
is more economical and Is in no
sense of the word a partisan or Repub.
lican measure as It's opponents allege.
The people will be highly pleased with
its economical. provisions I fair elec.
ttons and the privilege Of all political
parties to have representation on elec.
tion boards.