The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1907-08-08
Friends Claim He is So Far Ahead
Now That He VIII Certain
ly Have walkover.
An ACTIVE POLITICAL HISTORY
Has He in His Native State and Has
Done Much to Promote In-
B tercsts of the Party.

CHARLESTON. Aug. 2-From all
present indications the Republicans
Of West Virginia will have an oppor-
tunity next year OF tossing their hats
in the air and sounding the praises
Of a real West virgipian as the can
didate of that party for the once of
Governor. y
Present Secretary of State Charles
Wesley swisher is already SO far in
the lead for the Republican guber-
material nomination, that there is
but little talk of any one else in that
connection. And 1t is worthy OF
noteiin this connection that the party
has been extremely fortunate In this,
IS well as past campaigns in the
selection of the candidates who be-
.ome the real standard bearers. and
,earl the brunt of the battles. Judge
Son was the Pathfinder OF the Re-
publican successes in West Virginia.
He was elected in 1855 as the first
Republican Governor of West yir-
ginia since the war, but was robbed
of his place by the Vaccinations of
Democratic office holders, who have
ever since regretted the outrage.
Coli Tom Davis. of Grafton, came
next as a devoted and able Repub-
licaI leader, although not speaker.
andlt methods employed in secur-
ing his defeat has even since proved
the damnation OF Democracy.
George Wesley Atkinson came next
with the standard unfurled. and af-
ter campaign never before equail-
ed for aggressiveness and determined
organization, was triumphantly and
overwhelmingly elected to the Office
of governor by such majority that
even the Democrats hesitated to
tamper with 1t. Then followed the
election of A. B. White. fearless.
patriotic and able, presenting to the
people an administration that chal-
lensed the admiration and approval
Of all the people, Then the election
OF Governor Dawson, after running
thel gauntlet of the most villianous
campaign ever waged against party
or Its candidate. and the institution
Of the reforms for which the party
stobd pledged. Through all of this
there has been no swerving. no hesi-
tation. no double dealing. until to-
day the State of West Virginia stands
out as one of the leading States Of
the Union in the matter of corrective
and beneficial legislation.
In all this history, Hon. Charles
Wesley Swisher has had most
prominent and active part. In his
early life he was compelled to delve
in the mines to aid in the support of
his family. but that indomitable
pluck and ambition that Is so char
acteristic of the American youth
soon asserted itself, and almost be-
fore reaching his majority. he was
located In the growing, bustling city
Of iFairmont, battling with the older
heads for place in the business
sprld and competence for the
owed ones.
Secretary of State swisher became
resident of the city of Fairmont in
1893, the next year after locating
there was elected member of the
city council, and served for three
successive terms from the ward in
which he resided As member of
the council, he was active in every
movement for the upbuilding of Fair
mont. and the people of Fairmont
and Marion county very soon showed
their appreciation OF his ability by
eleeting him to the legislature in
1893, receiving the largest majority
ever given a Republican in Marion
county. In the lower branch of the
legislature, Mr.. ,Swisher was watch
full and alert to the interests of the
State. as well as 10 his constituents.
as was evidenced by his election to
the State senate, the upper branch
Of the legislature, by the Republicans
Of the senatorial district composed
Of THE counties OF Marion, Monon-
gala and Taylor. As State senator,
Mr.. Swisher was of great value in
the shaping of legislation and in the
councils of his party associates. 1t
could never be said of him that he
would not follow the leadership of
the older heads, and hence his course
won the admiration and approval Of
all the older leaders.
But perhaps the most remarkable
achievement of Mr.. swisher occurred
when he received the nomination for
the very responsible Office which he
now holds, that of secretary of state.
At the famous Wheeling conyen-