The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-05-20

LETTER
University Professor States His
Position in the Present
Campaign.

Il
Thomas E. Hodges Of Morgantown.
replying to John w Dayis.s letter to
him suggesting that he states his
position as to the Democratic nomi-
nation Tor governor, says in a. letter:
Dear sir:-Your esteemed favor
OF recent date relating to the mem
tion OF my name in connection with
tne Democratic nomination for COVER
nor and Offering the suggestion that
u IS due to my friends to make
known In some definite way my at
titude In the matter, has been receiy-
ca. ! have pprposly delayed reply
that might give your letter the con-
slderation to express my gratitude to
you and many others who have es-
teemed me worthy OF mention in con-
nection with such an honor and !
shall always regard 1t as the highest
compliments regardless OF its pos
sible outcome.
Although as a matter of duty i
would be ready at any time to re-
spond to the call OF my party for
service, 1t seems to me to be impos-
sible that should enter upon per-
sonal campaign for the nomination
for the office of governor.
In the first place / am at present
in the employ Of the State. holding a
position on the teaching force of the
State University. 1t has always been
cardinal principle with me that
such a position precludes It's occu-
pant from participating in an active
way In party politics, Being poor,
as are most persons who follow the
profession of teaching, | cannot af-
ford to resign my position and would
not for a moment think of enterlna
upon an aggressive campaign for al
political office without doing so.
In the second place let me say that
find weightier reason than the
one which might be egarder as uprely
personal in a strong conviction that
under conditions as they exist in this
state at the present time 1t Is unwise
to have pre-convention struggle for
any nomination. This opinion Is ex-
| pressed with all Difference to sim
cere, capable Democrats who may be
active candidates. Certainly 1t is not
4 discreditable to any Democrat to as
pire to a place on his. patry's ticket
1t Is a worthler ambition which no
Democrat should critIclse. The fact
remains. however. that nothing con-
| tributes more to party's defeat than
| fractional differences. and efforts to
| place personal ambition above party
I Tv, fn aH
| 1t would be well. think, to return to
first principles and for once have an
old fashioned Democratic convention,
composed of fairly chosen, represent
atives delegates. having in view only
the welfare of the party and not be-
ing supporters OF the claims of any
candidate for the sake of the candi-
date alone, but only as their judg-
ment shall pronounce him to be the
most available man to lead the party's
campaign. After the. basal question.
Is he honest? Is he capable? Is he
a Democrat? have been satisfactorily
answer-and there are hundreds Of
Democrats who are honest, capable
and loyal-the only other question TO
consider and the one that should be
all controlling Is: Is he available?
Can he bring to the party the greatest
strength? Too often in the past has
the Democratic party presented to
the enemy a broken line and shown
graping wounds and weakened vital
ity because Of internal strife. May
we not hope that this year, when the
political skies are fun Of portents of
Democratic victory no untimely blum
der shall deprive US of the fruit of
that victOry which is ours IL wise and
prudent counsels prevail?
In view then of these considerations
l feel It my duty to say that cannot
see my way clear to undertake n per-
sonal campaign for TIE nomination,
but feel 1t my duty to say also that
l am Democrat born and nutured in
the faith and traditional of that party
in deliberate convention should de-
eide that I am the most available
man to nominate for the office of
governor. shall accept the nomina-
ton at whatever personal sacrifice,
and give myself and all energy Of
body. brain and heart that may pos
,ess to the campaign, and shall con-
slider 1t the greatest honor OF my life
not as the attainment of personal am
i bition, but as call to service by tho
great Democratic party Of whose his
/ tory and achievements l am proud
II md in Nvbnsn P,,t,,ra 7 have the fullest