Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-06-02
THE MAYoRALTY QUESTION SETTLED
THE ''PERNICIOUS ACTIVITY OF GETTING
ERISM " DEFEATS THE PEOPLES
TICKET.

At the city election at Park0rsburg, the
home of ex-senator Camden, and at other
places where local leaders made strong
efforts to maintain party supremacy fol
political effect, the people protested by
their votes and turned the corporation
management over to the Republicans.
| Martinsburg is the home of Senator
Faulkner, and ever since his election the
political air has been filled with the en-
chanting zephyrs of Democratic victor.
les and majorities in the town and coun-
ty. 1t may have been over-confidence, OF
| friendly zealousness. 1t may have been
laudable pride and natural desire for
party credit and political and official en-.
couragement. 1t may have been, and it
is right and reasonable.
But something has been wanting
POPULAR PARTY LEADERSHIP. 1t is a
Democratic sentiment of the bone and
sinew of the party that the day is past
when the Democratic hosts can be mar
shaded by stripplings in politics, 50 old
stagers " in the public records of states
manship and dependents in leadership
leaving the solid men of prudence, abili-
ty, popularity, and progressive social
and political representation, in the back
ground of party influence and leader
ship,-leaving the Democratic party in
the condition and position of wrecked
and dismantled ship,-the crew intent
upon the cargo,-the officers and exper-
fenced sailors seeking safety and refuge
with the good people on shore.
For several terms the citizens of Mar
tinsburg have tried to elect people IS
man for Mayor, and there was always a
great cry before the election of $ no poll
tioo in onr of - b,,t oftor ho
election there was sure Democratic
victory and the offices were filled with
Democrats.
Long before the late corporation cleo.
ton there were efforts made to have a
citizens ticket for Mayor, Mr.. Lambert
being in the field, Mr.. Heller the choice
of the Republicans, and Mr.. Cushwa the
| Democratic preference. There was a
worked up citizens meeting The Re.
publicans hoped to nominate Mr.. Heller
the Democrats worked for Mr.. Cushwa,
and before and after the meeting a few
of the most popularity objectionableDemo.
cratic leaders used the most - offensive.
ly partisan " expressions in favor of Mr.
Cushwa. They got him and they haven 7
got him. The vote Mr.. Cushwa got
shows the sincerity of many of the citi'
zens, and the people know who and
what to blame for their defeat. A man
not hampered with the "pernicious &C
tlvity " of Gettingerism and the like
would have been elected by a big major.
ity. What the Democrats had against
Mr.. Lambert we do not know. He was
always Democrat and a prominent ex
confederate, but the party by its action
threw him overheard, and what he is
now politically makes little difference
to the people, just SO he gives them the
best enforcement of the laws and good
management of the corporation interests
This is settled fact in both parties, by
bitter experience, that trumped up and
packed conventions, individual prefer
ences of wealth or clique, CANNOT
ELECT. Every man is a leader: every
man has vote every man has friends
and in politics as in public enterprise, q
little selfish, sour leaven will spoil thu
most tempting dish. If any public Oh
political cause of the people without re-
gard to politics wishes success, Getting
erism and i'd genus Onne must be muz
zled and kept in " inocuous desuetude.
The Republicans have now the respon
sibility of the city administration. Lei
them see to it, not for party purposes Oh
political effect, but for the public good
and if there are any appointments to bt
made, take good, honest, deserving, Ca
pable men OR NONE. Leave we'll enough
alone, or make it better.