West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-27

tUSy 0Wu tuc FdFtys
II our Republican brethren will take
the pains 10 scan the columns Of the Re
publican daily newspapers they will learn
that less than dozen men constitute the
Republican party Of West Virginia. The
rank and file are looked upon as the val
liable assets Of the state machine, which
owns the party so far az nominations and
appointments 10 office arc concerned.
Read the interviews which are sent out
from Washington almost daily. Wash
ington is the Republican mecca where all
must journey and bow before the politi-
cal lords before their applications and
claims are seriously considered. The ma
chine has small army Of henchmen who
have 10 go 10 Washington TO get their in
structions. Before the trusty henchman
departs for his home lac is sent 10 the
newspaper bureau, where an interview is
framed up for him setting forth in glow
ing terms how the Republicans back home
are overjoyed TO learn how valiantly and
heroically the senator's and congressman,
with special emphasis on the senators. are
fighting for the interests Of the dear peo-
pie! tits rather pathetic. The interview
always windsup 10y saying that the trusty
henchman informs the representative of
the press that the Republicans are unit
Tor retaining their senators and congress
men in office. II would be high treason
TO oppose the machine ofiice-holders. Loy-
atty TO the party demands their undivided
support. Their service 10 the party is too
valuable TO be dispensed with.
incidentally, the interview will close by
| saying that the trusty henchman is promi-
| nently mentioned for governor, or some
other state office, and the senators con-
| slider his candidacy very iavorably. In
other words, if he whoops and yells for
| the machine he will he considered worthy
of some office, whether he Is mentally
capable OF filling il or not.
Do you know what this all means, Re
publicans of Preston2 II simply means
| that the machine selects the candidates
of the party as much as four years in adj
vance. When the time comes for the
nomination of candidates you are ex-
pected 10 periodically confirm their Sc
lection. The machine considers ii an in
suit to its dignity TO consult the rank and
file insomuch as it owns the party.
Do you deny this? Probably we can
refresh your memory. In 1908 the mill.
tant Republicans of Preston were decided
ly in the majority in this county, and II
given primary whereby they could have
voted for delegates to the state conven-
ton they would have undoubtedly Sc
lected u solid delegation for Arnold G.
Scherr. But you were denied the primary
and were compelled TO accept the terms
of the machine, through its auxiliary, the
county committee. Thus you were denied
most arbitrarily and without apologies d
voice in the selection OF your candidates
for state offices. And be it ever said tC
your shame the great bulk of you quietly
submitted to the indignity
After the insurgents, who were i'm tho
majority, were driven to Compromise
with the machine, and w. t. Glasscocl
Il
deal in the future, and guaranteed that i
Glasscock was elected the offices would
be impartially divided among the differ
ent factions. Glasscock, under the in
spiration of ''Uncle john" proclaimed
in wild and thrilling tones from the hust
ings that he would be the governor ant
the shackle was not yet invented that h,
could not free himself from il the maehin,
attempted to manacle him! You all re
member it ii you are not suffering from
"partyism."
Now, The ARGUS is going to let you de
eide whether the governor has been man
acled, or whether he has been distribu
ting the offices impartialIy among tn,
factions. How many insurgents has hC
appointed to office? Is it not true thai
every appointment the governor ha.
made so far has the machine trademark
blown in some part of his anatomy
Scratch the appointee long enough anC
you will unearth the trademark.
| Thus the machine continues TO humbut
and fool you year after year, and YOU
stand up before God and man and sol
EMMY ayow that you are freemen! Is il
not about time you were getting a little
backbone in you and prove TO the worlC
that you are freemen? Here in Preston
more than so per cent of the Republican,
are opposed to the ring and the machine
and still you allow the ring to browbea
you and force you to accept its terms be
cause you are suffering from that fata
malady, 'partyism."
| How many of you can honestly den,
this? Not one. For same reason Won do
not realize your strength and the weak
ness of the ring. But the ring does, ant
it is perfectly aware that its days ar,
numbered when you have the courage o.
your convictions.
If you will accept friendly tip from
TnE ARGrs you will get together and or.
ganize your anti-ring forces and at tho
coming election there will not be enough
OF the ring left 10 deserve q decent fu.
neral
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