Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1904-05-27
THE SAME OLD MACHINE.


The same old Republican machine
which hasbeen running matters in Der
kelley cot.nty started operations for the
campaign on last Saturday. The occa-
sion was the county Convention to Sc
lect delegates tothe state convention.
Congressman A. G. Dayton appeared
in town on Thursday night este nsi-
bly, to take drive to Antietam with
his postmaster Mr.. Clohan on Friday
but the leaders scented trouble ahead,
suspected that the real mission of the
C congressman was TO whoop things up
for his friend, Charley Teter at the
convention on Saturday and so gave
the statesman polite invitation to
leave which he accepted and gave up
the drive to Antietam. The machine
had long ago fixed up matters and
agreed that Teter should have eight
and Dawson nine of the delegates.
When the convention was called to
order Mr. Joseph Leyth was made
chairman and Mr. L. d. Gerhard
secretary.
In order to carry out the fixed pro-
gram DIR. w. I. Henshaw at once
moved that committee be appoint ed
to select the delegates. The brilliant
yong Virginian, Attorney R. l..
Flountelroy, opposed the motion in
ringing speech. He was opposed to
ring rule and forcing through a slate,
and motion was offered as a substi
tute that each district get together
and select its own delegates. Mr.
FIountelrov spoke in favor OF the mo-
ton and Dr. Henshaw spoke in favor
of the committee plan, that it was
honest and fair ard customary.
| The vote was taken and though the
substitute had a good support 1t was
voted down and the original motion
was put and voted through. The com
mittee was named. as was arranged,
of course, and retired. In few nom
ents reported with the name Of John
J. Hetzel on the tail end as delegate
at large The irripressible Fiauntel-
roy rose again and stated that he
knew of his own personal knowledge
that Mr. Hetz-l would not serve and
tn 7 wouldbe robbing the convention
OF its rights for The county chairman
to name a man to fill the vacancy
alter Mr. Hetzel personally refused to
serve. Prosecuting attorney Lin Say
reported that he knew the color of Mr.
Hetzel's epublicanism too we'll to
believe what hadlbeen said and that
he would serve. At this juncture a
son of Mr. Hetzel rose In the audience +
and said that he thought he could T
speak for his father with as much cor
rectness as Mr.. Lindsay and that he
would not accept Mr., Flountelloy /
sprang to his feet and proceeded to /
give Lindsay complete ffaying
in a most scathing but eloquent
speech and declared himself respon-
sible for his remarks and that Lind
say could get satisfaction either there
or on the outside and in any manner
he might desire, There was cousid-
cradle uproar and confusion aud
though the ring had brought Sin their
crowd and had coAtrol of the meeting
Mr.. Flountelroy had arespectable fol-
lowing. He had the advantage OF the
gang in every sense excepting in votes
which they jammed the state through
Mr., Fountelroy was clearly in the
right Though he saw early in the pro-
ceedings that he was leading a MIN
ority he had the Courage to proclaim
the truth aud denouuce the proceed
ings in manner that showed that he
could take care OF himself and that
he was a d4ten Ter of justice aud fair
play.