Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-09-06
HON. S. B. ELKINS.
Extract from a letter to the Editor 9
the Tribune.

the Tribune.
Hon. E. Willis Wilson 3 abuse of Mr..
Elkins in his speech at this place is not
sustained by facts. Mr.. Elkins gradual
ed at the University of Missouri in 1860,
at the age of 18. He took the highest
rank in his class, and bears the degree
of A. B. and A. M. from his University
For the last two years he has been elect
ed to deliver the address before the
Alumni Association. Having studied
law he went to New Mexico, where he
studied and became practically master OF
the Spanish language while engaged in
the practice of his profession. He was
elected member of the Legislature, and
in 1867 was appointed by the Governor
and confirmed by the Legislative Council
as Attorney General of the Territory
In 1857 he was appointed United States
Attorney, and in 1878 he was elected to
Congress In 1875 he declined a renom-
nation and visited Europe. Upon his
return he found that Notwithstanding
his declination his constituency had re-
turned him to congress, where he serv-
ed until 1877 with great credit During
Mr.. Elkins public career his official in
tegrity was nevered questioned. In 1872
he was elected President of the First
National Bank of Santa Fe, bank which
is the depository of the Public Funds.
and which is safe and prosperous. Mr..
Elkins recently resigned his presidency
of this bank, and the Board of Directors
thereupon passed and published resolu.
tions expressingt their $ profound regret =
at his retiring from Office, their conf
dence in his ability and prudence in the
management of the bank, and their be-
lief in his unblemished and sterling in
tegrity. Mr.. Elkins became member
of the church in his seventeenth year
When he went to Mexico he found So
ciety crude; there was little moral re-
straint, and vice surrounding him every
where. Though young and without a
home, Mr.. Elkins maintained high NOR
al character. He has honored his faith
in his life. While in Washington he
attended DIR. Mitchell's church, (Presby-
terian). He is vestryman of DIR. Heber
Newton's church, N. Y. Mr.. Elkins
is man of vigorous intellect, tact, ener-
gy, commanding ability, iron will and
unfaltering courage.
Such is the man whom the Democratic
nominee for Governor of West Virginia
calls contemptuously "Steve Elkins. y
Has the Democratic party lost all of its
manliness and politeness I? Is it driven
to defame the character of honest chris
tan men to maintain its power in West
Virginia? Has the Democratic party no
merits to recommend it to the people
Has it no good acts of the past to sustain
it !? Has it no purposes and plans for the
future prosperity of the State to offer
If it has, would it not be better to rely
on its merits more than on abuse and
Misrepresentation Honest christian
Democrats, are you willing to traduce
the character of honorable men because
they differ with you politically? If not,
can you vote for man for Governor of
your State who delights in doing SO ?
The day for such speeches as Mr.. Wilson
made here, has long since passed. The
people desire argument and facts, not
wild defamation and low abuse of re-
spectacle citizens. The Democratic
party has honorable men in its ranks, and
men of respectable speech, will such
men allow their party honor to be tar
nished by the election of Mr.. Wilson
Governor of their State? Those who
vote to make Mr.. Wilson Governor, vir-
,ually endorse his acts, give credit to his
speech, and make his bitter and abusive
anguape their own.