The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-03-16

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judge Okey Johnsoo has submit
ted the following letter for pohIics-
tiop, and as Il contains nothing but'
|truth and good common sense wei
take pleasure in reproducing il. II
will clearly show that no Sunny
business" was resorted to By Mr..
Kenna to secure bis reelection.
Judge johnson says:
John E. Kcnna will be regarded
as not only a triumph for party or
ganization, but triumph of pure
party methods.
First it was triumph for party
organization, because be was the
nominee of his party for Senator.
Not only SO. but contrary to party
usage two-third rule was adopted
in the caucus; and it was understood
if he received the two-thirds, he
would he entitled to the vote of every
Democrat in the Legislature. This
vote he received; and all except one
stood by the action Of the caucus.
That one was present in caucus when
the two-thirds rule by the concession
of Kenna's friends was adopted.
Then the fight was, should forty-6ve
rule, or should one rule? The fight
went on until the one yielded, and
the forty-five carried their point. II
the forty five had yielded to the one,
hereafter no man could he sure of an
election, although the people unani-
mously wanted him, unless in case
he could command votes enough to
elect him. This would be party
decentralization. and not party organ
ization.
As to the methods used by the
candidate. He used none of the
modern appliances.
l.. He had not by the us of money
or otherwise s'set up the Legisla
ture. AS far as known few if any of
the members were elected ON pledge
to support Kenna. They came free
to vote for any one, but representing
the sentiment of their constituents,
two-t thirds of them were for Kenna
when the Legislature convened.
2. He had no lobby. Those who
came to help him came of thei own
volition and at their own expense,
because they honestly desired the
election of Kenna on his own merits.
Ie has made an upright Senator
and he had many friends who unso-
licited by him, gave him all the NOR
al support they could.
He did not have the Federal office
holders in that State to come at his
call to help him. The few friends
who did come, came Of their own ac
cord, and at their own expense. He
did not keep bar room in the hotel.
He did not, either by the use of
whisky or other things, try directly
or indirectly, to influence single
vote.
He did not ask single Republi-
can to vote for him, and was elected
by Democratic votes. Not a Single
Republican voted for him. He is
therefore under no obligations to the
Republicans for his election, and is
not in any sense a "Mughwump," but
fair, square, upright Democrat,
with grand twelve ear-oid Demo
cratic Congressional Record without
a stain upon it.
This is the man, and this is the
manner in which he was elected !;
and the Democrats Of West Virginia
are justly proud of him.
During the trying ordeal through
which he passed, lasting for a month,
the sturdy nominee of his party. de
meaned himself with the greatest
dignity. Never once losing his tenn
per; reyiling no one, fearing no one,
imploring no one, but with quiet
ness and manly bearing that won
him many friends, he calmly awaited
the result, as the sturdy seaman
awaits the result of the storm. No
man ever conducted himself with
more dignity and propriety in such
a contest, nor more richly deserved
the success that came at last.
OKEY JOHNSON.