West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-01-21

chNhb AhS POfttitdi nuuttIo Oh
Preston county politics. OF course,
every man who aspires to the Dig
nifty of politician visits Kingwood
to pay his respects to Boss Flynn.
must confess that one time / had
an ambition to be political boss,
but was side-tracked by the Chief
Mogul of the party at that time for
a handsomer and better organizer.
But that ambition of early youth
has flown, and every time look
upon James Worshipful Flynn, and
observe the burden of worry and
grief that he is carrying in his hope
less effort to please all the aspiring
statesmen l have no desire whatever
to be political boss.
The political seer is absent from
town this week and have been at
sea how to furnish the people with
dish of politics. 1t is wonderful
the interest the American people
take in politics and Preston is no
exception to this rule. Without ex-
aggeration it is safe to say that we
have more prospective candidates
inIPrestoh.County this year than any
former year within the history of
the county. If we have few pco-
pie in the county who imagine we
should not devote so much space to
politics our excuse is that the true
mission of newspaper is to fur
nish the people with that news
which interested them the most.
Stop on any street corner, drop
into any store and you will invari-
ably find that the sole topic of con-
versation is politics."
CHANGED to run across my stall
wart friend, Leader Leroy Shaw,
on last Wednesday, and was most
pleasantly surprised to learn that he
is pronounced candidate for leg
islative honors. He is one of my
most valued friends and one whom
have great admiration for. He
is known TO most every man, wo-
man and child in Preston county
and numbers his friends by the
thousand. The man that beats
Leader Shaw will recognize at the
end Of the contest that he has been
in a genuine political fight. The
Leader IS always in dead earnest.
He asks and gives no quarters.
There is no sugar-coating the truth
to say that he is a born fighter.
This has been tested on the battle
fields of the late unpleasantncss and
in facing the Cooley gang. It is
true he carries a little lead to re-
mind him of the conflict, but IL the
occasion should require it he would
repeat his performance. He is
not an artfuI dodger by any means.
"rhe people are determined that
l shall make the race for the Leg
islature and have concluded to
concede to their demands" said
Leader Shaw, in reply to my in
quiry. "When my term of Sheriff
expired had intended to withdraw
from politics and live IN retirement,
but the Fates have decreed other
wise. A delegation of my fellow
townsmen waited on me a few days
ago and urgently requested that I
announce myself candidate for the
Legislature. They pointed out
that il was necessary to have fight
er in the next House of Delegates
who had the courage of his convic-
tions. who could not bebrow beaten
Of coerced by the monopoiists who
have unfortunately gotten posses
sion of our State. Tax Reform will
be the leading issue in the next
campaign. The people know Lee
Shaw never evades the issue. My
record as Assessor, County Com.
missioners and Sheriff is one which
I am willing to 60 before the people
on. +"
Leader have always looked
upon you as one Of the foremost
men Of your time" / chimed IN
when the Leader showed signs Of
fatigue. "Your honorable, but
bold, record as a warrior is one
which challenges the admiration Of
al men. Even your enemies adj
mircyour Undapnted courage and
unimpeaohsble honesty. dare
say your loyal friends will rally to
your support this time in solid
column. They believe there is a.
least one more fight, left in you be.
fore you pass from the public stage.
They can never forgot your record
asfing fighter In pas, years Others
D ye appeared upon the stage as
Is fighters, but they proved