West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-05-24
LEROY SHAW srlm on DECK.
Who struck Jimmy FLYNN
To tho Editor Of The Arsas.

.
desire 20 come into yon5 Couu again 70
correct some statements. or rather intima-
tons from the pen Of his Honor. Chairman
James w. Flynn. which appears in the
last number Of ihc Journal I, seems that
the brother labored hard in column article
TO show that | had said certain things in a
former article published in your paper re-
feciing on the commissioners of our Primary
election.
have clipping of the article in question
in my possession, and / am frank to say that
Il contains no reflection or charges against
anyone, except those who planned and car
ried out deceptive schemes on the voters
prior to and on the day Of the election.
The charges made were to the effect tina,
certain parties through misrepresentation
and the defacing Of ballots, deceived many
voters at the polls. aud that the man.
ner Of holding the election as authorized by
the committee fostercd and encouraged
frauds TO be praciiced that could not have
been accomplished had the election been
held under the election law ia force and
effect at this time. | would be pleased to
have the Squire inform the people how
any set Of election officers could hold an
election under a Law that has not been in
| force in this state since 1891. itwould seem
to me that in as much the most vexed
question now confronting the American
people, is How can we best MAINTAIN the
purity Of the ballot And lanes w. FLYNN,
chairman Of the Republican party Of the
banner county, would not attempt to pour
cold water on much needed reforms, by
representing purity that he knows does not
exist He intimates that everything has
ever arose under our system of holding
Primaries Let us see how this is, in 1888
we held Primary under "party law" as
he terms il, which resulted in general
ilare-up, and the defeat of our nominee
for sheriff. In 1902. when was nominated
Tor sheriff, the returns were questioned by
the friends of Mr.. Hollis, who ran second
in the race. recount was demanded and
was made, which resulted in small gain
Tor Mr. Hollis, showing the returns incorrect.
am Primary man; | believe in getting as
close to the people as possible. believe in
holding our Primaries IN the most guarded
way, and that would be under the election
law of our State. am of the opinion, Mr.
Flynn TO the contrary Notwithstanding, tina
n Primary election is illegal, held in any
other way. | believe in freedom of speech
and freedom in action as regards party man
agement. Chairman Flynn has no more
rights in this respect than the humblest man
in our party. also reserve the right as a
Republican 10 associate with whom please,
to publish my communications in the paper
that lease, and 10 run a paper of my own
if choose.
II we occasionally get spanked by our
party, as did in the Primary, and as Chair
man Flynn did in the TOWNSVILLE conven.
ton, all we have to do is to accept il and
Try to get things in better shape in the
future Chairman Flynn seems to be
troubled about me doing business in THE
ARGUS court, that it is not court of Justice.
Well that depends largely who the suitors
arc, as | never was a Democrat and de-
serted my faith, can expect justice in the
court of THE ARGUS.
thank Squire Flynn very kindly for
the offer made to furnish the names of the
parties who defaced the ballots at Tunnelton.
AT the same time see no way TO punish
them for so doing in an election that was
not held under the law in force. The
Chairman asks me to explain my reasons for
having two thousand official tickets printed
and distributed. answer for the reason
that knew that my name was to be stricken
from every ballot that could be gotten hold
OF by certain men in the employ of the
opposition.
Glanced to be at Fellowsvilc in 1902,
on the day of our Primary election. Mr..
Hollis and Mr.. Lenhart were there also.
When the voting began saw both of them
with large packs of ballots in their hands.
| asked to see them and found that each
had erased the names of all the candidates
except their own. / did not, at that time,
nor at anyolher election, handle or scratch a
ballot, excep, so directed 10y the voter.
The candidates are each taxed by the Com
mttee flor sheriff the sum of sIS for the
purpose of paying for the tickets and other
expenses of the election. The tickets thus
paid for by the candidates belong to all Of
them, and the striking off of any candidates
name by any person other than the voter or
his agent, is, in my opinion, not only
violation of the law but gross injustice
done the candidate so stricken oft The
tickets that sent out to my friends were
perfect, and though paid for by me, were
intended to be used for the benefit Of all the
candidates. would not care to be nom
mated by defacing ballots, paid for by
other candidates, neither do care to peddle
tickets on election day to secure my nom
nation. say paid for by other candidates
on the ground that Mr. whetsell claims that
he printed no private tickets except those
printed for me.
While my brother Flynn would naturally
seek justice at the hands Of the Journal
court, knowing that the Judge thereof would
natural sympathne with a Hopper, am
glad that our worry Chairman admits that
my charge that there were defaced ballots
peddled at the polls on April 21si is true,
and ] trust that in the future he will see his
way clear to cali an election that is Of more
Importance locally than the state election.
10 be held under the election law Of our
state. f.reoy s,.v
kiugwood, May Fl, 1900.