Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1882-07-11

this district investigate this matter, come to |
just conclusion, and if thoy find such state |
of facts take care that MIR. Hoge don't walk
into Office by trampling under foot his promise
and plighted word.
Now, what does Mr.. Hoge say in denial of
this arrangement? Tho papers of the dis,
triot have asked him to come forward and
meet Mr.. Payne, that they would arrange
meeting. We have heard no response from
the halls Of Congress. They have not asked
him to leave his post, they will see that he
gets an interview with Mr.. Payne without
neglect of representative duty; he has not
replied to this invitation, and it is net likely
that he is going to do SO, he prefers the role |
of"tfte silent man" and to let caucus of his
friends, probably consisting of ono, to>wit
democrat" deny it for him. Many will re,
member the incident in the Fairmon. Con-
yentiou when the single delegate from POGO.
hontas asked time for his delegation to con-
| suit; SO this company of one, after consulta.
tion with its own indiUist6ze self, has come
to the front over the nom de plume of "Dcm,
oorat," to deny, upon its own unknown re-
sponsibil;ty, what does not lie exclusively
within its knowledge. Why is not the de-
NAL In Mr.. Hoge's name if not over his
| signature, why not with his concurrence and
| by his authority?. Is it little more COME
ntent for somebody else, whose identity is lost
under en- assumed appellation-a voice from
Hardy, mystic, mythical mysterious, whose
personality is as unrecogpizabe as tho echoes
among his own mountains to do so? Per-
haPs it is; but, to pass on, what has Mr..
Hoge, after having written to Mr.. Payne ask
ing him what the arrangement was and ac-
kuowledging thereby his own faulty reoollec-
ton, said in dofonse of himself? Voters of
tho district, remember that he docs not DEM
1t directly that he does not consent to meet
| Mr.. Payne and deny it, but in letter to the
| Martiusburg Independent, with the lofty nsin
Of assumed patriotism, lsboring under the
immediate chronic influence of Congressional
desire, Tulgsrlyly called, "Congrossione 81
Itch says, that he will cheerfulIy retire if
majority of his constituents from the eastern
counties demand it, secs no reason why his
name should not be presented for ro>nomina~
ticn, and further, ''It is for the people ALWAYS
to determine who shall represent them no
man, whatever be his pretenees, has right 70
claim that distinction or usurp prerogative
which belongs to tho people exclusively"
Thus Tar has your present representative been
heard from in denial of positive assertion
that he is breaking faith by asking a renom-
ination, OF permitting to DO urged claim for
denomination ; an assertion which if not true
would bring sensitive and innocent man,
with just pride in his manhood, to his feet
at once in vigorous and emphatic donial
Let US see who is usurpiUS the prerogative
that belongs to the peorlo exclusively, who
claims tho nomination as a matter of right;
Who has the arrogance and temerity to say to
the sovereign, the people, you shall and YOU
shall not. Let US look at the letter of "Dom>
oerat" for IN answer. He says in effect, Mr.
hoge ID entitled to two terms; that is Gus,
tom that custom is law. Tho Democratic
party cannot a6ore? to turn him out it would
be rank, base in justice. Is not this claim,
or tho part Of this hot advocate of Mr.. Hoge
Is he not harnossing up tho volition of tho
district with lG10P Is he not threatening in
case this claim or title is not recognized?
think any impartial person who reads it will
SO conclude. Mr.. Lucas does not claim that
tho people shall elect him, not evon tho por,
VorsIty OF his worst enemy would accuse him
OF that. When it becomes necessary under
tho law and constitution for the people to
consider whom they shall elect to represent
them in position Of high trust aud exalted
| duty, those most fitting, as q general rule
arc presented for their CHOICE, their fitness is
canTassed, their ability discussed p1o and
con, their past record is rewritten and tho
people, through their political conventions,
nRmo . man to DO the standard. bearer of their
principles in tho Political contest. To state
this particular case: A custom in this dis
| lAiSJ SlNc5 thS COuDlleS on the eastern side OF
the mountains alternately a representative in
Congress 1or two terms. In 1880 tho claim
OF The eastern sids was recognized t. prom.
lnont candidates from tho slope of tho rising
SUD, ware tho Hen. John Blair Hoga and tile
Hon. Daniel B. Lucas. Mr. Martin, from
the western side, desired third term and
| was candidate ulso. These three were strong
and no ono Of them could got tho nomination
rlono. Mr.. Lucas, with his friends went
over TO Judge Hoge and gave him the nom
lnEtion. Why? Because, ca alleged, he
arranged to tnke it for one term and to give
Mr.. Lucas the next term, to which the east
ern counties were entitled
Mr. Hogo has received the benefit, and now
refuses to boar the burden at all and his name
is placed in tho field for denomination, with
his consent. These two gentlemen come M
again in 1882, the ouly candidates at present
announced. Tho friends of Mr.. Lucas ask
this congressional district to give him the
nomination. Why? Because he is man
! Of ability, good, true and whole>hearted
| Democrat, has worked for his party, has eivon
way before that harmony might be preserved:
| and further, Is entitled to it, as against Mr..
Hoge, because he (Hogo) only wanted it for
one term and agreed to retire,
| Mr.. Hogs's friends now ask second torr, bs
cauto Huch gif' ia generally bestowed upon tho
same man. There con be no streng III in this prop
citcoInstsne!s O fee .neb g9Gd e5ou's under the
not justify man 10 vielating his agreement. No
| ono will deny that Mr.. LucGS will IDS ke a more
energetic ConsIerFmEn than Mr. Hoge, then If
tho emily claim in favor of MIR. Hoge is custom
and 1t 10 proven, which il surely will be- that be-
obtained the position be now holds by oluntariIT
and soiemnly waving tho benefit of the custom,
| how arc the people doing any injustice to him
| He would not have been successful in 1851 unless
| ho hEd waived tho benefit of any such custom and
Alr. Lucas had 20: retired, as he did. This claim
| OF i:tio by custom alone. independent OF other
considerations, and that. too in the seth OF al
legsd sgresTpent. nayors aomewhat OF aTrosance
and spirit of dictAtion, which the people mipht
| BIO tempted to rtbuke.