The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-07-25

s -
Members OF the Senate and
OF strike problems and labor condf
1ative representative OF the A. F.
Walsh, Borah and King.
or fifty years ago. remember the
old swimming hole and the gun we
used to have there. Sometimes, it
seems to me that the things for
which we struggle are not worth
SO much as the friendships formed
in our youth.
Born in Worthinston.
II was born in Worthington.
Near Worthington is the place
where my father was born and
where my grandfather brought his
young bride many years ago. Some
day want-to build modest home
there. place where l can live a
part Of every year.
but these are merely the rem
iniscences of one who has sudden
ly had It thrust upon him that he
is old, and who wants to go back
to the days of his childhood and
live them over again in memory.
These thoughts will not interest
you.
Il am not here tonight to tell you
about those things but to tell you
why I am a candidate for the Re
PUBLICAN senatorial nomination.
For twenty years I have been the
publisher of the Wheeling Intelli-
gencer. That paper was born in
1856, the year when the Republican
party wars formed, and the Intelli-
gencer has supported every Repub-
lican candidate for president from
John c. Fremont in 1856 to Warren
G. Harding in 1920.
at is a proud record. When
became owner of that great paper,
/ assumed great RESPONSE bilfties.
I knew I had before me- great
task. 1 was conscious of the great
part the paper had played in the
formation of Wheeling and Ohio
County and my object was and is
to keep up the traditions OF the
Intelligencer, to make it an or
gan not helpful only to my party
but to all the citizens
'.I have looked upon the Re-
publican party in this country as
the party of tdealists, the party
with visions. Whatever we are
going to do in future will be done
under the leadership Of the Re
publican party.
Predicts Tax Reform.
81 will tell you some OF the
things have stood for aud which
I have helped the Republican par
ty carry to a successful conclus-
ion. First, the fight for the tax
reform laws in 1905 and 1906
We did not accomplish all we had
- = Is rfp H., a
did accomplish much. And we
form fight in West Virginia. All
our taxes have come from a direct
state tax.
From this direct tax. we have
had to care for excessive expendi-
lures. There was the Virginia
debt. We had 10 care for the
s5O,OO0,OO0 road bond from our
direct state tax. We have had to
raise large amounts and we Will
have to raise still larger amounts
Last year the state treasury
showed a deficit of So, 500, 900.
Unless som ethinG is done, the de-
felt will probably be 100000
next year.
The direct state tax cannot. be
continually increased. We must
have some indirect revenue to
increase the funds. We might
perhaps tax street railways. We
might put a tax on oil and gas
lines We might tax all coal
products or all natural resources
in the state.
'If tax increase is desired and
there is a tax reform fight in this
state, the citizens should take
this stand: No increase in direct
taxation; all increased revenue
must be raised from indirect taxa
ton. am not here to tell you
from which the things I have
named the tax should be raised:
I want merely to explain why in
direct taxation is the only method
we can allow.
Whether I am to be United
States senator, or the editor of the
Wheeling Intelligencer or just a
private citizen, after this election.
I shall tight to aid the small prop
erty-owners and to protect them
by an Indirect tax en- natural re-
sources and public utilities.
Suggests Indirect Tax.
.'It Is an almost inevitable re-
suit OF high taxes that the poor
man is the greatest sufferer. The
citizens Of West Virginia are like
you and me, only Of moderate
means. We can not allow out
rageous taxes to be placed on our
homes and farms.
I'VE have public utilities com
panies in our state building up
great incomes and paying no
large portion of tax. This is an
amazing thing. In states on all
sides OF us, this large concerns
are subject to indirect taxation.
Why not in West Virginia?
During the last two weeks, my
candidacy has been assailed by
some Of my opponents who have
put out anonymous accu sations as
to my position as friend Of labor.
Other attacks have been brought
against me, anonymously. I do not
propose to answer these unsigned
charges, the accusations -of men
who are afraid to sign their names
to their statements. But will ex-