The Washington bee., 1907-02-16
FROM INDIAEA'S CAPITAL
COME WORDS OF PRAISE FOR
DESERVING WEST VIRGINIA
COLORED LEADER

DESERVING WEST VIRGINIA
COLORED LEADER
From indianapolis Freeman
Phil Waters, West Virginia's ire
pressiblc young leader, has again brok-
en- the ice and LANDED choice political
plum. On the 18th Of January he was
unanimously elected clerk oi the faa1ce
committee Of the West Virginia Sen
ate. now sitting III legislative session IN
Charleston. Mr., Waters was Tor six
years clerk Of the same committee in
the House Of delegates. and 10 90 10
the Senate In the same capacity Is
decided promotion. He was also sec
retary Of the Democratic caucus Of the
House. which IS an innovation for a
Southern State, especially when II Is
well known thar Phil" Is a Republican
Of the rock-ribbed variety and a foe
man worthy Of the steel Of the best
warriors the party Of Jefferson and
Bryan can marshal on the banks OF the
classic Karbwha. Mr.. Waters Is a
brilliant orator, and II Is doubtful if
he has an equal Of his age in the coun-
try. It has fallen TO his lot to second
the nomination OF every Republican
nominee Tor governor Of his State since
1892. and his voice has made the vel
, kin ring on mountain top and in val
I 'cys In CFery campaign since that time.
He graduated from the law depart
ment II the University OF Michigan in
1905. carrying off a goodly share OF
the laurels OF his class in oratory and
/ legal lore. and was noted as a leading
athlete He IS a prominent churchman
and Mason. Mr.. Waters, though young
, in years. has held some important po-
} si,i0ns Of trust and responsibility IN his
State, being strongest where he Is best
/ known - among his immediate friends
and neighbors, being loved and respect
/ ID BIZ both races alike In 1896 he was
/ librarian Of the House Of Delegates
/ from 1897 10 1902. corporation clerk in
.-c olfice of the Secretary Of State
/ 1902, deputy United States Marshal,and
served in the same year as clerk Of the
| finance committee OF the City Council
/ Of Charleston. W. V; the next year
| he began his duties as assistant clerk
! Of the Supreme Court Of Appeals OF
| the State. Mr.. Waters Is an expert
statistician and has been the clerk II
charge Of the State appropriation bills
1T every session Of the Legislature since
1908. Not long ago he was fayorably
/ mentioned in connection with the Office
/ of assistant register Of the United States
. Treasury at Washington In any event
/ Sir. Waters has proven so faithful
/ wherever stationed that a promotion tc
one Of the highest positions may be
predicted for him during the next few
years-and all viii agree that he will
eninently deserve the honor With the
! colored people of West Virginia Mr.
! Waters Is a prime facorite, and should
ne be summoned to Washington, from
works to reward, as 1t were, they Will
be "tickled to death" The country at
/ large knows him likewise, and the race
everywhere joins in the request to the
powers that be" to let "Phil" just walk
up TO the pie counter" and help him
| self to whatever he wants. The best
is none too good, and If the registership
OF the Treasury does not happen to be
available at that time, let the high
and mighties" see to it that he gets
something equally as good" Senators
! Elkins, Scott, the several Congressman,
| cx-Coyernors Atkinson and White, and
the present Chief Executive Dawson, all
owe this brilliant young LOchinvar a
| big debt Of gratitude for effective ser
vices in behalf of the grand old party
at critical moments. Surely they VIII
not fail to respond to his Macedonian
cry" when he asks for a tryout at the
heavy patronage bat.