The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1908-07-31
MIR. MITCHELL'S REPLY.

Elsewhere In this issue, we print
a communication Gin partial reply"
to what was said last week upon Mr..
Mitchell's candidacy.
If, as Mr.. Mitchell says, the floor
of the Supreme Lodge is the place
and next year the time for all dis
cussion, it is passing strange and in
consistent, to say the least, for him
to be sending out letters now boost
ing his candidacy for the Supreme
CHARACTERISTIC. Why does he not
wait till he arrives at Kansas City
next year to announce himself as q
candidate for Supreme Chancellor?
Mr.. Mitchell may not, as he says
have discussed inside matters per
tanning to any branch of the Order,
but it strikes the writer that he has
| permitted others to do so. The
files of the Planet are not at hand,
but we have a hazy remembrance OF
seeing an article headed WHO is the
Supreme Worthy Counsellor in the
|
| it was a thinly yelled attempt to en-
| barrass the present administration.
Was that the fl at gnn of the cam
paign, or did the articles appear with
the editor?
The Advocate has no apologies to
make for the condition of affairs
which have existed or NOW exist in
West Virginia. True, one man hse
controlled here, but not to the extent
Of being Grand Chancellor, Grand
Worthy Counsellor and Brigadier
General. He was content with one
office. OF course, no one denies the
right Of Virginia doing what it pleas
es, but Virginia's candidate for Su-
preme Chancellor must expect to
have his record exposed when he gets
into the limelight. There is no mis-
Interpretation of laws nor obligations
in discussing his opposition to the
policies Of the Order, and even if
there were, he places himself in the
position OF Satan reproving Sin, when
he mentions it, since he for four
years fatty refused to obey an order
Of the Supreme Lodge promulgated
by his superior officer, and encour-
aged others to do likewise.
In truth, he acted as If he did not
give boot for nor recognize any au.
thority not emenating from 81 N.
Fourth ST., Richmond, Va. Certain
resolutions of the supreme body were
passed upon in his court, declared .un
constitutional and simply ignored
If, as a simple representative, he
could assume such powers, Is there a
limit to be placed Upon the authority
he would uBurp as head of the or.
ganization? Would he not, as ST.
preme Chancellor, ignore whateve.
law happened not to meet his approv-
al?
In giving publicity through these
columns to Mr. Mitchell's record, the
writer abuses no condolences, neither
does he violate any obligations. Mr.
Mitchell has taken no precautions:
other than refraining from going in.
TO the public press, to confIne his
sentiments either within the borders
OF his state nor to the menS)ers of
the fraternity. Had he been as cir
sumapect as he now asks others to
pc there would be no necessity now
Tor illusions to a steam roller, he
would not have to fall back upon his
twenty-year defense of the eolored
people, which is extraneous to the
matter under consideration.
What is here said, as Is true Of
what was said last weey is without
malice. Like all Pythians who have
the good OF the organization at heart
the writer, who is one OF the hum
bIest, i8 DESTROYS OF seeing the good
WORK go on. He feels, Judging Mr.
mitchell by his REGARD, that Mr.. Nit
chell is not the proper man for SH.
preme Chancellor, and, for that rea.
son and none other, he opposes and
will continue to oppose his elevation
I tOrthc exalted Dugitiof :. s.-.fs.. II, n.