Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-03-04
ARTICLE No. /.

In the coming October we must elect
Governor, Attorney General, Auditor,
Treasurer, Superintendent Of Schools,
and three Judges. The people are anx-
iously waiting to see whom the Con-
venlion will nominate, and 1t well be-
hooves us TO look about and select the
most available talent and merit in the
State. Although the sentiment OF
West Virginia is largely Democratic,
vet we are in imminent danger OF de-
feat. Nothing Can save our party but
the most circumspect and judicious
nominations. Unless We give our ban
ners 20 able and true men we will
certainly be defeated. 1t is we'll to
look this fact square in the face, for
after the Republicans have carried the
election it will be too late to correct
mistakes.
The vast majority of those now
pushing forward for office are unwor-
thy and incompetent. They have
achieved nothing in the past and Will
accomplish nothing in the future. But
while this is so, still We have excellent
and ample material for the public ser
vice, which is equal in character and
quality to any in the country. The
problem is, to bring it to the front and
make it known 10 the people. The
great trouble is, that our best men are
comparatively but little known. There
is SO little intercourse between the dit-
ferent sections of the State that those
who are disposed to turn their attention
to public affairs only come together in
the Legislature or State Conventions,
and our citizens are scarcely acquainted
with each other. Many other causes,
also, operate to keep our best men i'll
obscurity. To some of which we shall
advert in future article.
AS rule. our newspapers accom-
plish but little in the way Of bringing
forward, making prominent, and pre-
seutiug to the people the true talent
and merit of West Virginia. Nova
days newspapers don't puff politicians
unless they are paid for it. There are
prominent politicians whose entire stock
in trade ia the Fictitious and spurious
notoriety acquired by the constant men
ton Of their names in public prints.
The most commonplace event is
chronicled as though it were the advent
of a prince. One day-"Ihe Hon. MIR.
Jones has been invited to deliver
lecture" Another day-"The Hon.
Mr.. Jones has returned to his splendid
residence in this city, and SO the
advertising continues until the people
cry out-"What the thunder is your
Mr.. Jones good for 2"
But this advertisement has become
successful in politics and in the quack
physic trade. Helmbold placarded
EXTRACT of Buchu" upon every road
side fence. He did not say what were
the ingredients, or the virtues of his
medicine his motto was to keep the
nam. before the people, for fools will
buy whatever is always before their
eyes. And so the politician says
"Keep my name before the masses, and
they will pick me out to vote tor,
although l am not tit for office.
Mr.. Jones wanted seat in Congress
and he sent for "Wire Fuller 10 lay the
ropes.
Mr. Jones.-I want 10 be nominated
for Congress.
Wire Puller.-Let me have $1,000
to set the papers at work.
Mlr. Jones.-What have / ever done
for the papers to make fuss over aud
manufacture into political capital!
Wire-Puller.-Oh! the newspapers
will keep your name spread out before
the people, and they will keep the 9TH
ers out ot sight.
Mr.. jones' Here is the money but
don'tlet that Mr. Student have a chance
to show himself to the people because
he has got more natural brain power
and more education than any man in my
district.
Well, Mr.. Jones goes to Congress,
and the people struggle with hard times
and complain that all the great men OF
the country are dead while their sons
don't fill their places.
Two classes of men want office.
The hard working student only asks an
opportunity to show to the people his
fitness and capacity for the public ser
vice. But the other class want the
chance to draw a salary and sport them
selves in the gaudy plumage of official
station. The one would make a repu-
tation for himself and rise higher, but /
the other must inevitably sink back
into his native obscurity. Were it not
for certain newspapers this latter class,
who bring to the place neither talent
nor aptitude, these little men, who can
neither write for the papers ner speak