The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-04-04
Peoples forum
False Pretensc.

False Pretense.
Editor West yirginian:
In announcing Ills candidacy for the
nomination for the State Senate In
two colume "write-up" in the Free
Press. a Democratic peper. Thomas w.
Fleming. among other things says !or
himself that he was chairman OF the
county committee for eighteen yeas
and largely through his energy this
ocratie when he assumed the chair.
manshfp, was placed In the Republic
can column" Mr.. Fleming may have
been chairman Of the county commit
tee many years ago. but what seemed
to the writer as astounding claim was
that Mr.. Fleming as chairman assist.
ed In bringing this county into the Re-
publican column. The writer has been
somewhat closely in touch Will, Re.
publican struggles in this county for
the past twenty years. and he does not
remember when MIR. Fleming was
chairman. He does remember. how
ever. that Marion county was brought
into the Republican column in the
year 1900. by as great a political battle
rs was ever fought anywhere. when.
with thorough organization and quart.
Ing the election rooms and the ballots.
against great odds. the Republicans
La, ~,
members tint at that time Mr.. Elem.
ing was NOT chairman, nor was he
in any way connected with the organ
ization, but HE WAS THEN A RESI-
DENT OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, and it is known to n certainty
that he did not send any handsome
contributions to the committee. The
next victory for the Republicans in
this county was In the year 1909. aril
the writer remembers that Mr.. FlcDl.
Ing was not connected with the organ
ization that year. neither lid he Md
by way of contribution. The writer
further remembers that Mr.. Fleming
got back from New York Just In time
to try to break up. By riotous conduct.
Il Republican county convention, arc
TO head trump" delegation to the
congressional convention Mt Wheeling.
where he en.leavored to get the con-
sent OF Captain Dovcners delegates
to give him seat In the convention
In place of true and regular delegates
from this county. The charge was OPP
emily made at that county convention
from New York. at that time, long
enough to vote.
Mr.. Fleming also states In his an
nouncement thnt he has been Railways
true and loyal party worker" This
statement. III true. would, like the
claim that he brought Marion county
into the Republican column. stand him
we'll in hand In this contest for the
nomination. Nothing appeals strong.
err to the ordinary Republican than the
virtue of loyalty embodied In the call-
ilidnte who wants to represent the par
ty. But unfortunately for Mr.. Fleming
L hG NAo W. Ute W tllG GldlIll VI
loyalty 10 the Republican Ticket. us
heretofore nominated. than he has to
the claim OF wrestling the county from
the hands of the Democrats. on the
contrary IL has been we'll understood
among those who have had the man.
/ agement OF campaigns. and those who
have been the pnrty's candidates. thnl
Mr.. Fleming was not very loyal with
his own ballot. and to a certainty was
never considered party wor kerr"
The lack of these qualities Will no
doubt work very materially against
Mr.. Fleming's candidacy when the Re-
pnblicans assemble to cast their ball
lots on primary day. And the lick of
these qualities to which he falsely pre-
tends Is one source of SO much oppo.
sition to his name being placed upon
the ticket along beside others VIM are
known to be true and loyal Republic.
cans. OLD LINER.
Editor West Virgfnian: