Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-06
WON'T RETURN LENTZ
CONSTITUENCY TIRED OF HIS En-
RATIO METHODS.


and Charles A, Towne-Former
worker, the other Taiker-what
Each Has Accomplished.
Washington generally Is very much
gratified at the report that John j.
Lentz. representing the Twelfth Ohio
district. Is not likely 10 be returned.
The members of the house. almost
without regard TO party, win be glad to
learn that this agitator has been de-
featcd. He did more harm TO the Dem
ocratlc party In the house during the
last session by his vicious attacks upon
President Mckinley and by his erratic
manner Of conducting the prosecution
in the Coeur d'Alene investigation than
can easily bc repaired. Simply because
the house would not print the enor-
nous mass of testimony taken before
the Cnur dAlene investigation com
mittee Lentz blocked every bit of bust
ness In the house in the closing days
OF the session. Many men, both Repuh-
leans and Democrats, desired to pass
bills to which there was 10 real objec-
ton, but he would not allow them 10 be
considered, and the result was that
many n member of congress went
home disappointed and had 10 explain
TO his constituents, who were likewise
disappointed, that the failure TO pass
certain bills was due 60 the Democrat,
Lent. OF Ohio.
Charley Towne versus Theodore
Roosevelt seems to be one of the issues
Joined for the campaign That being
tls case, little comparison of the two
men will not be uninteresting.
Roosevelt is a man who has accom-
plished something. Roosevelt was n
young man when he became member
of the New York legislature. He made
his name known throughout the length
and breadth of the land by his stanch
advocacy of honesty In legislative af-
fairs He has twice been delegate
TO Republican national conventions
He has been member Of the civil
service commission. police commission
er of New York city, assistant sec
rotary of the navy. lieutenant colonel
and colonel Of the First United States
and participated In the war with
Spain, in which he distinguished him
self He has been governor OF the lar
gest state in the Union and admins
tered it's affairs with great satisfac-
ton. He is an author, having written
a number of books, all of which have
added to the literature of the world.
He has travelled extensively In tile
west and is thoroughly acquainted
with all phases of the country, its peo-
pie and conditions.
Charley Towne first came to the sur
face in Minnesota about eight years
ago. He had good presence, a good
voice and was a good talker. The peo-
pie of Minnesota, especially the Re-
publicans, anxious to encourage prom
ising young men, sent him TO congress
| from the Duluth district This mark
| of favor swelled his head to enormous
proportions He believed himself the
| leader of the state. Without knowing
anything Of the subject he took up
finance. Captured by the phrase "free
and unlimited coinage of silver" he
followed II and went off ut tangent.
Earnest and intelligent Republican
leaders like the late Nelson Dingley OF
Maine Serene Il. Payne Of New York,
Joseph G.. Cannon of Illinois, General
| Grosvenor of Ohio and others labored
with him In vain to convince him that
| he was wrong. He stubbornly follow
ed what he believed was to become
popular in the country. So he made
great speech In congress. 1t was APP
plauded by the Democrats and Popu-
lists, who fiattered Towne by saying 1t
was the ablest speech ever delivered
In congress on the money question.
AS matter OF fact there was moth
| ing to IL. Representative J. t. McClea-
ry Of Minnesota, who had not posed ~
a financier or an orator, took up
Towne's speech and riddled 1t point by
| point Still convinced In his own ego
tism that silver was the popular issue,
| Towne continued In his course. At the
| st. Louis convention he obtained pos
session Of an alternate's badge from
| Minnesota man and followed Teller,
Dubois, Pettigrew and Frank Cannon
out of the Republican national conven-
| ton. Since then he has been chairman
OF the few men who call themselves
| the Silver Republican party.