Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-12-18
WHO WILL BE AUDITOR?

appears to be the chief prize for which
candidates will contest next year in
this State, il We ale to judge from
the earnestness with which the cam
paign is already being started. Not
even the governorship seems to at
tract as much attention or to com
mand as great interest. 1t is an i'm
portant office-one that is profitable
to the incumbent and one that the
welfare of the State requires 70 be
wisely and honestly managed. Dur
ing the two terms that he has filled
the position, Auditor Duffy has been
both wise and honest in his admins
tration of its affairs.
However
An editorial in the REGISTER sew
eral mouths ago OH the subject of
third terms for State officials drew
forth all almost unanimous opinion
from the Democratic newspapers
that it would be unwise in the extreme
to start such a precedent. Nearly
every paper that commented on the
sutherland they were many
strongly opposed the third term, and
this was the opinion Of the people
generally. The law of our State linn
IFS the term Of the Governor to four
years. State Superintendent Morgan
and Treasurer Thompson, who had
expressed themselves before, again
announced plainly that they would
not ask for another lease of official
life at the hands of their party. They
were satisfied with what had been
done for them.
Auditor Duffy is the one State OF
fetal who, il we are properly III
formed, seeks denomination. Eight
wears i'm the latest State office has
not been sufficient for him. Now,
the REGISTER has nothing against
Auditor Duffy, personally, politically,
officially, or in any other way, nor
has it any pet candidate for the place.
Only it is unalterably opposed to
third terms in West Virginia. We
think that rotation in office is indis-
putably for the good Of the party and
Just as certainly for the welfare OF
the State-e1cepting, perhaps, In
those cases in which expert knowl-
edge is demanded.
If there were a dearth of capable
candidates for the Office we should
not so seriously object to the third
term. But there is no dearth-there is
a flood Of them. w, have heretofore
expressed our opinions of the quaIit-
cations of T. NJ. Darrah Of Wheeling
and George w. Tippett OF Point
Pleasant. Holly q. Armstrong Is
another candidate who is well quail
fed TO fill the position. In the first
place, he is popular Democrat
tried and true, and this will commend
him to his party. He is, we believe
well qualified in every way TO hold the
Office named. He was chief OF the
stamp department Of the internal rev.
enue bureau under Cleveland, and
filed the place most acceptably. He
was for a number of years deputy
county clerk of his home county,
Jackson, and was clerk of the West
Virginia State Senate at its last SEES
sion. His experience in public life
would count for a great deal in the
conduct of the Office should he be
elected. Where Mr. Armstrong is
best known he is best thought of,
and he will go into the State conven
ton with a large following. Then
there are G. NJ. Thompson, Of Hunt
ington, Mr.. Garden, OF Ohio county
and still others whom We do not just
now recall-good Democrats and ex
cellent business men. We think
these gentlemen are entitled to the
first consideration at the hands OF
the De mocracy. If no choice can be
made from amongst them. and it APP
pears that we cannot get along with,
out the present incumbent why then
well throw up our hat for Mr.. Duffy.
But give the other Democrats a
show, first.