Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-02-06
A FEW PLAIN QUESTIONS, MR.
C0LST0N.
From the Monroe Co. Waterman,
Democrdtic.l

Mr.. w. B. Colston of the Martins
burg Statesman, we desire to address
few plain questions to you. You
are, We believe, Postmaster at the
city of Martinsburg, for which of
course you are largely indebted to
Senator Camden's influence. Yet
we fondly believe that in spite of
prejudice you will not shirk our
inquiries. but will give them that
audience which courtesy and pro
per consideration for the public in
terests demand. The ominous sill
ence of the press of the northern
portion OF the State upon the topic
of the Senatorial succession, betok
ems the throttling grasp ola masters
hand. A frank aud free expression
of opinion we now ask from jour
nal hitherto of some character for
spirit and courage.
When, IN the Spring of 1881, Mr..
Camden, by his single vote effected
the confirmation to the Supreme
Bench CT the United States of Stan
ley Mathews, the acknowledged tool
Of Jay Gould, a man of doubtful
principle and dangerous reputation,
was the action that of good
Dem ocrat, or Il patriotic man, and
such as should commend him for re-
election to people opposed to the
introduction of corrupting influences
into our Courts of Justice?
When Mr.. Camden takes rank
with the active opponents of the
Reagan Interstate Commerce Bill
"a measure supplying definite,
strong and promp remedies for the
unjust determinations practised by
railroads aud other great carriers
in the transportation of property,-is
his position that of a faithful repre-
sentative and such as should COM
mend him for reelection to a peo-
pie who have peculiarly suffered by
the glarIng injustice Of discriminat-
ing railroad companiesg
And when it is endeavored to re-
cover from the clutches of the Texas
Pacific Railway Co. a domain of 90,
100000 acres of public land, to W hich
this grasping corporation has not
even the shadow Of a title, is the
attitude of Mr.. Camden in lodging
the vote and strangely disappearing
from the Senate Chamber at time
when his country needs defenders
against public plunderers, such as
should commend him to his consti-
tuents for re election
Has not Mr.. Camden. while in the
Senate of the United States mani
tested a singular sympathy for and
interest in the great corporations;
and does he not appear in the
character of an obstructionist to
legislation looking to the curbing of
their powers and the defense Of the
people from their tyrannous en-
croachments?
And now, Mr.. Colston, on your
heart and conscience, can you advise
the reelection to the e. s. Senate of
a man whose private interests impel
him to become the friend of vast
coalitions of wealth, rather than the
representative of the people and the
defender of their rights and liber-
ties? We charge him with nothing
worse. Can you stand up in the
presence of the Democratic party of
West Virginia, and, in the face of
this mans active candidacy for re-
election, say that the question of
his return to the Federal Senate
should not be an issue in the selec-
ton of our next Legislature
This paper is the organ of no syn
dictate ofWest Virginia bondbolders,
Mr.. ColstoL. 1t has no axe to grind
it represents no disappointed office.
seekers. But we are not of those
who cry "Peace! Peacei' when
there is no peace. With no disloy
atty to our party We proclaim it.
And if aught but an honest desire
for the veal of our State and her
people has led to what is here ex-
pressed, then count us thrice per
iured traitor.