Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1896-04-25

Senator Elkins has never declared
his candidacy for the nomination at
st. Louis, nor has he authorized any,
one to do so for him. He has said
with emphasis there are other Repub-
licans in the party more deserving of
the great Office than he All talk of
him in connection with the nomin-
alton comes from friends in his State
and throughout the country, and not
from him. Notwithstanding his de-
clared purpose not to be a candidate,
as West Virginian, l want to set
down some of the reasons that move
me, in common with the people of
our State, to desire his nomination,
and why we think he should have it
this time
Senator Elkins has always been an
earnest, active, vigorous and aggressive
Republican, firm believer in protec-
ton and all the cardinal principles of
the party. His candidacy is urged
on the ground of his being business
man and representative American;
his undoubted ability and unques-
toned integrity, his vide and varied
experience in public affairs, and his
knowledge of men and of the whole
country, its resources and its wants
Senator Elkins is a many sided man,
blessed with good, common sense and
sound judgment, man of affairs, and
a successful business man. If he
should be nominated he would stand
for the business interests of the peo-
pie. Our country has passed the
formative period in the evolution of
government, it has survived foreign
and civil war, and our Government is
now firmly established on enduring
foundations. We have reached the
point where we are now a business
people, living in an economic age.
Economic and business questions en-
gage the attention of the people and
press for solution. Most of the prob
lens to be solved relate to our ma
terial advancement and progress.
Why not place at the front one who
has by his life, unaided but by his
own will and energy, shown himself
so capable to meet and solve such
problems. and whose first act i'll the
Senate saved the country millions OF
dollars? The administration of the
Government and its affairs should be
Entrusted to a business man; more
than ever at this time trained and ex-
perienced business men should con-
troll and shape the commercial and f.
nancial policy of the Government.
The reforming ofour currency system,
the building up of our shipping in
terests, our home and foreign CON-
merce, our manufactures and en-
couraging our agricultural interests
are the pressing questions. Much of
the confusion and chaos that now ex-
ist in our methods of finance and tax
alton and the administration of the
same is largely due to a want of
knowledge of true business principles.
Strange to say, in land of business
men our first President was the only
successful business man that ever oc-
cupied the Presidential chair. Since
his time our Presidents have been
statesmen, lawyers and military men.
The time is at hand in our history
when the people want a inau for
President who is something more
than a statesman or politician.
They want business man, with ad-
ministrative ability, who knows the
people, the whole country, and under
stands its business interests; one who
sympathizes with the wage-earners
and at the same time knows what
capital deserves.
Senator Elkins started in life poor
boy, without influence and without
friends to help him. He was born
and brought up on farm Whatever
he has in the way Of means or capital
he has acquired by his own efforts.
He is a large employer of wage-earn-
ers, and enjoys their sympathy and
confidence. He has for more than
quarter of century taken an active
interest in national politics; but dur