Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-04-15
.HETHL VS.. THE RING
Office Holding Clique Using Every
Method to Defeat Him.
CALL HIM A "DISTURBeR"
But This Seems to Be Inspired By the
Fear That He Might Disturb"
Their Grip on the Pie Counter.

Their Grip on the Pie Counter.
/ There is every evidence that tht
Berkeley county bosses" (that an
omaly of republican rule here) are
growing desperate at the Roadway
being made by Mr.. John j. Hetzel in
! his campaign for the Endorsement OF
| his me county for the nomination
for congress; and if the sort of q
fight being pus up by the "rinR' Is
an Indication of the state OF their
feelings there is an imminent prospect
of three or four men, who assume to
tell the republican voters just what to
/ do In anv situation, having fit OF
two before the day set for the primar.
les.
| Notwithstanding the sweeping order
| from Washington for all office -holders
to get ous of politics especially when
there is fight between republicans
the i degrading coterie that has held
on i Se grim death through two ad
manifestations and still wants more,
| is using every available means to pre-
vent a free expression of sentiment
on the part of the rank and file, and
the old ship of state is allowed to
bump her way through the shoals
while the ce-holders are securing
the county in the hope of stirring up
prejudice against the only candidate
who is in position to bring the con-
gres sional nomination to Berkeley.
The opposition to Mr.. Betzel seems
to center around the United States
government building in Martfnsburg.
and from this headqu arters of the
offiIe holding ring the order has
gone forth that Mr.. Hetzel must nos
positively must not-carry the
county. Not only have such orders
been issued, bnt the members of the
ring" have backed up these orders
by personal campaign il many Sec
tions of the county, where they seem
to have been meeting with Indifferent
success
The rank and file of the republican
party in this county can EASILY judge
the motives behind this opposition,
and 1t Iemaios to be seen whether
they will tamelv submit to further
dictatfon for this source. There has
been q growing hostility 10 the
methods pursued by those who would
use the party here for self-advanee-
ment, and ID is about time to give ex-
preston in an emphatic manner to
this feeling of righteous Indignation.
The repu blican party is too big and
progressive to be used BY one man,
two men or half a dozen men like a
herder of sheep would use his flock.
but there are men who will make
this attempt just so long as the rank
and file permit it.
Mr. Hetzel does not assume to own
the republican party, or any portion
OF it. here or elsew here. he is going
before the members backed by clean
record, by lifetime of devotion to
lCS hntereSts anu WIN CousCAoushoos
that if the majority of the members
wish him to have the indorsemsnt of
Berkeley county, they will attend the
primaries and register their demands.
The allegations thai he is dis.
tnrber'' is in line with some other
Statements being made to hurt him
with the voters, and is no doubt in
spired by wholesome fear that he
might "disturb" some of those who
have eaten at the pie-eounter for
so many years that they imagine it
belongs to them alone.
All that Mr.. Hetzel asks is fair
play and a free expression of the will
of the republican voters, registered at
the primaries on Saturday in the
county and on Monday in the city.
This much can be confidently stated,
however-that if he is Endorsed, the
chance of the nomination coming to
Berkeley is materially strengthened ;
If he goes down to defeat, there is
nothing in prospect for Berkeley ex-
cept the best deal" the winner can
make in the convention with that
man who will be nominated from an