Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-06-25
B0LDEN ON DAYTON.
We clip the following from the
Preston Republican
"Unadulterated Cheek"

"Unadulterated Cheek"
Last week, in double-leaded ed.
itorial, the Preston County journal,
published at Kingwood, very gratu.
itously called upon the candidates,
(other than Mr.. Dayton), for the
Congressional nomination. to with
draw from the contest, in favor of
Mr.. Dayton. The editorial was
written by the editor of the Journal,
recently appointed postmaster at
Kingwood, by Mr.. Dayton. The
writer declared that as Preston and
Tucker counties had elected dele
gates for Dayton, while he was not
even present, but at Washington
saving the country by his great wis
dom and patriotism, therefore the
people wanted him re-nominated,
and no one else has a ghost of a
show. Such balderdash is unpard-
enable, and could only come from
an office-holder, who is q personal
and political friend of Dayton, and
therefore, unable to see through any
but Dayton spectacles. The people
are not for Mr.. Dayton. If the Of
fiee-holders and ofiice-seekers would
keep out of this fight, he would not
stand the slightest show for a re-
nomination. 1t is true he was not
in Preston and Tucker counties in
person, but his agents and appoint
ees we're there in force, and fought
fiercely. Take Preston county for
an example. Who were the Dayton
leaders ? Postmasters and appoint
eee, who openly organized and con-
trolled the meetings. The county
organization was used for Dayton.
Other candidates were denounced
and treated with no consideration
whatever. Such were the means
used to secure delegates for Dayton.
1t was one.sided contest, with all
the power of patronage and organ
ization with Dayton. The people
had nothing to do with it. In Tuck
er it was even worse than here. Mr..
Thomas Gould, 8 resident of Wash.
ington, and not even voter in this
district, was sent 10 Tucker coun-
ty two weeks before the election TO
run things for Dayton. All his
postoflice appointees were at work
for him, and even then he had a
hard time to get through. The
people faced packed conventions, as
we are informed, and at Parsons
over forty of the best and most in.
fluential Republicans were compell-
ed to leave the convention because
Of the unfair and high-handed man
ner i'll which the Dayton men we're
running things, and openly stated
that they would never vote for Mr..
Dayton. No, Mr.. Dayton was not
there. 1t was not necessary. His
agents and office holders, not the
people, did the work for him. To
say, therefore, that he is the choice
of the people, under these circum-
stances, and to ask the other honor.
able candidates to withdraw, is a
monumental piece of cheek. Mr..
Dayton has so far about 40 dele
gates. 1t requires 1923 to elect. Mr..
Pitzer will have % votes in Berke.
ley, and Mr.. Sturgiss 81 votes in
Monongalia, or IL more than Mr..
Dayton has now. They have even a
better show than Dayton in the
other eleven counties. Why should
they withdraw To ask them to do
so requires considerable cheek. But
such request corresponds with the
nature and character of Mr.. Day
tons campaign. First, he tells his
friends he will not be a candidate.
Then he changes his mind, after
consulting his postmasters and APP
pointees (the people,. Then be
works the county committees by APP
pointing their chairmen post-mas
tiers, and promising jobs to others.
Thus equipped, he has a powerful
force and organization of office.
holders behind him to hold the dear
people in line.
The editor of the journal knows
Dayton is today the weakest candi-
date Tie Republican party can
nominate. He is rot near as strong
as Pitzer or Sture iss, nor as compe.
tent to meet the enemy on the
stump. He has host OF enemies
who will work and vote against him,
and there are other and stronger
reasons Why lie should not be nomi-
mated. The people demand another
mar. Mr.. Dayton is the man who
should withdraw. He should keep
his word and stay out of the race.
lie shall not endanger Republican
success this fall by getting this
nomination at the hands of office
holders. Let some other man lead
the party to victory.