West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-03-14
An Interview with Mr.. Heermans.

An Interview with Mr.. Heermans.
The editor of THE New ERA called
upon Mr.. Heermans with a copy OF Mr..
Fortney's article entitled, "a Bit Of
History" with request that he allow
himself to be interviewed with reference
to those portions Of the article that refer
to him personally, for publication.
Edltor--Is Mr.. Fortney correct when
he states that your opposition to him Is
from purely personal standpolntP
Mr.. Hsermans-MY opposition TO Mr..
Fortney's nomination for the ONCE In
1880, to which he refers, was because
believed he was not as we'll qualified for
the position az the then incumbent, Mr..
w. q. WorleY, whose nomination l IA
vored. Others of the party thought 90
too. Even Mr.. Dawson admitted to me
before the convon ZION, In talk OH the
subject, that Mr.. Fortney was not we'll
qualified tor the position, but as he had
promised his support 10 him, he opposed
Mr.. Worley. 1 do not remember TO
have opposed his nomination In 1884, for
1 was not In the convention. But sup
pose l hadP Has IL como 10 pass In
this year of grace that q citizen must
be called to account for discharge Of
duty In opposing one candidate for public
| position and favoring another2 / know
| OF no other act OF mine that could pos
sibly be construed into opposition from
"a purely perRonRl standpoint" Dir.
Fortney and his family have received
from me and my family nothing but
courteous and kindly treatment. He
said but few days ago in presence Of a
mutual friend that l had invariably ac-
corded him gentlemanly treatment that
had conferred favOrs upon him, etc.
h,-Mr. Fortnsy refers TO your OPP
position TO the request made Of the county
court to provide him an Office in the court
house2
Mr.. H.-Yes he applied TO the court
TO have the hall under tho court room
DIVIDED by partition into four Offices, one
for himself, one for the sheriff, and two
10 DO rented. 1t is not uncommon for
members Of the county court TO confer
with their constituents regarding public
measures. was asked what thought
Of this proposition, aud gave my objec-
| lions substantially as follows -
LIST The people Of the county have
suffered an almost irrepafable loss once
IN the burning Of the public records, and
the county court has very wisely '0ndeav-
| ored 10 guard against such loss again IL
has even expended near $4,000 in the
| purchase Of ground near the court house
Ia order TO remove buildings that were
| thought TO endanger the court house.
| The putting Of stove into each of the
| four offices proposed and their occupancy
would greatly add to tbs danger OF FIRE.
2nd IL is a question whether the
court has a legal right TO rent rooms on
Offices In the court house.
Bird : The citizens of the town Of
| Kingwo0d Contributed tl 900 toward the
erection OF the first coart house, with
the understanding that tho lower hall
| 1.-THE one proposed 10 be cut up should
be used for the purpose Of a town hall,
and similar contribution Of I'll 500 was
made toward the present court house.
| with q similar understanding. Then IL
sometimes occurs that both courts are
IN session at the same time, aud IL is
very convenient for the county court TO
have a room suitable for that purpose.
4th: IL is not the custom, nor dOes
the law require that the county furnish
the prosecutor an Office. II IL presumed
that be is lawyer when elected, and
that he has 40 Office.
No, Mr.. Editor 1 have no feeling
personally against Mr.. Fortney Ia nav
opposition 70 public measures which
concerned him In any way, but have act
cd from sense Of duty as a citizen and
Taxpayer.
Ed.-Mr. Forlney refers 70 your sala-
/ ~ as cashier % tho bank ns e reason for
the Increase OF hs have you any OBJ
lection 70 stating the amount the bank
pays your
Mr. HI notice That Mr.. Fortney
has a slight attack Of blank on the
BRAIN" ] willingly give you The desired
information. / am under q bond Of one
hundred thousand dollars have the Gus
tody Of hundreds Of thousands Of dol
lars IN the course Of the year, and re-
ceive but 81 200 salary n year. put in
more hours Of hard work every 5ay than
Mr. II. does during bis busiest seasons.
Considering the time he is professionally
occupied with his professional duties
during the year, and the time i am em-
piOyed Ia my official duties, his salary IL
larger than mine--fhis is upon the basis
Of less than iiill time being necessary for
him 10 perform his Official duties.
Ed.-Why then do you think Mr.
FOrtney connects you personally in 20
prominent a manner with bis efforts TO
secure an increase Of salary2
Mr.. H.-FOr the purpose, as ha pre-
sumes, Of creating q maudlin sympathy
IN his favor, BY seeking go make Tie i'm
preston that be is q much abused man
] think, furthermore, that he ~ the will
ing aid OF certain persons who do not
relish the manly OutspOken views o.
your NEW ERA upon public quas tons
and they fear the Increasing popularity
Of the paper may lessen their bold upon
public patronage.