West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-08-24
INTRODUCTION.

President Wilson, In a very recent
address delivered IN the city of Wash
ington, said In effect that he was only
Interested IN a political party as an
instrument OF service to all the people.
The Democratic party OF West Vir-
ginia, In convention assembled. de-
clares this view OF the function OF
political party to be thoroughly sound
and fundamentally Democratic. A po-
htical party should be a means TO an
end, and that end good government.
When control OF a political party Is
seized by leaders who, through greed
and arrogance, come to think they are
the party. and even the State itself,
and to substitute service to them
selves for service to the people, II
ceases to be real party and degen-
crates into personal faction. a polit-
ical machine. extorting from the peo-
pie heavy tribute of taxes TO keep
itself In power.
Twenty years ago the Republican
party came into power in this state,
and as early as twelve years ago there
was unmistakable evidence that It was
ceasing to be real party and becom-
Ing the instrument OF cunning self
seekers. This degeneraoy has grown
Into despotism that is CALLING to Re-
publicans as well as Democrats, and
reaching the summit OF arrogance I'M
der the present administration, has. by
ballot frauds and corrupt practices, de-
stroyed self-government in the state.
Courageous attempts have been
~ a tutfh In 49, a. q r. a.
thing, but the helplessness OF the IN
dependent Republicans was demon
strated In the recent primary, when
led by brilliant campaigner, backed
by thorough organization bitterly
lighting the entrenched machine at the
time OF that machines most obnoxious
leadership, they were unable to free
themselves. II they really won, as
many think, their victory was barren
OF results, as II always will be while
the machine controls courts and pri-
maries.
IL Is plain to all who want TO see,
that the honest Republicans OF the
state cannot clean house without the
help OF the Democratic party, for the
same old crowd OF office-holders will
name the Republican ticket In 1920 and
1924. regardless Of the party will; Just
as they did this year. So the Democra-
tic party frankly asks all such indie
pendent Republicans to join with US, at
least for this campaign, In what is
really a non-partisan fight, TO drive
from power this selfish factional ma
chine that IL as offensive 10 Repub-
Hcans as 70 Democrats.
We oner you state candidates, who,
IL elected. will not build up personal
machine or even a Democratic ma
chine, but will serve the whole people
OF the state every day OF their official
lives, and IL successful we pledge our
selves among other things TO provide
Tor a genuine. adequate and honest
registration Of voters. to pass a cor
rupt practice act with teeth In It and
10 permit all party organisations now
existing or hereafter organized. 10
participate On equal terms in fair open
elections, TO the end that IL we do not
give the state good and satisfactory
government, there shall be no partisan
barrier on the statute books TO prevent
our rebuke by an untrammeled ex-
preston OF the public Judgment
The State Machine and High Taxes.
The cost OF machine politics has in.
creased taxes In this state until the
ownership OF property is almost penal
lied, and II the system continues, Il
will soon be impossible to bring a
dollar OF outside capital into the state.
We pledge the people 70 stop the ex-
pense on useless Offices that have been
created 20 strengthen the machine, and
70 reduce the cost OF government
wherever II can be done consistently
with high standard OF efficiency. and
IN this effort we are entitled to the
help OF every honest man OF every
party, for all alike suffer forced trib-
ute. This clique OF political high
binders dominating our state calls IT,
self Republican" but II is not in fact
entitled to the party name OF Lincoln.
Grant and Garfield, for graft and grand
larceny have no politics.
Money Due the State.
In March, 1910, at a time when both
The national and state administrations
were Republican and West Virginia's
delegation in Congress was solldly Re
publican, and when the Virginia debt
suit was pending before the Supreme
Court OF the United States. our Demo
critic press called the attention Of
The state administration 20 West Vir-
ginia'B claim for fifteen million dol.
lars against the Federal Government
growing out OF the Northwest Terri.
tory Trust Under a Republican ad-
ministration, state and national, no
step was ever taken % give West Vir.
ginia the right % sue for that claim
against the Federal Government until
Senator W. y. Chiffon introduced a
Dill for that purpose, and By reason OF
bic position on the Senate Judiciary
COMMITTEES and his unuhng eTorts,
succeeded ia getting a favorable re-
port thereon.
Engrossed in machine building, and
Jealous OF any honor that might come
70 the suthor OF the bill, the Hatfield
hdministraton has failed TO help push
This claim Of such vital interest % the
taxpayers and has scoffed at Il az be-
Ing politics" We declare that Il s.
politics IN the highest and best sense
of patriotic service % the whole peo-
pie OF tho state.
We pledge our candidates for Gov.
ernor. and other state Offices. % Wig
erously cooperate with our represent
atYes IN both branches Of Congress.
70 put this money the Government
owes us into the state treasury. 70 the
End that n we should be required %
pay any part % the Virginia debt
claim. regarded By many Of our poo
Ole as unjust our taxpayers may be
saved from ruin; and n We escape pay
meat q that claim tho money could
oe used 20 tighten tho heavy burden
% taxcs undaR which our people al.
ready efacucr