The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-02-25
Ex-senator Sam
b. Montgomery.
"IToR TIE LABOR ARGUS !:

LEAR DIX Ill was announced Il
few days ago, through the medium
of the state daily press, that ex-Sen-
a1"r Sam B. Montgomery, of Preston
county, had become Il candidate for
the appointment Of State Labor
COMMISSIONER appointments, one
OF several, that will be made in the
near future by incoming Governor
William +. GasscOck Our present
Commissioner is Mr.. L. V. Barton,
who has his Office at Whccling-a
gentleman whom ! had the pleasure
or meeting Il week or SO ago at
Charleston, and for whom | enter
tain the highest respect, and of
whom | hear none but good words
and who, | understand, is candi-
date Tor rc-appo!ntmcnt. While l
have, and could have, nothing to say
against the disappointment of Mr.
F#iton, my acquaintance with Scna-
tor Montgomery has extended over
SO long Il period Of time that, now
a. opportunity presents, | cannot
refrain from asking space in your
columns for Il word OF introduction
tor him to those Of the working pco-
pie Of the state who may have never
met him personally and who arc,
therefore, unaware of his high abiI-
itN to fill the Office to which he as
pres. Senator Montgomery has Wis
tied many sections Of West Virginia
"rrlng the progress Of political cam
pHlgnS, but there are vet many Sec
items Of the state that he has never
visited. Where he is known he is
universally respected and admired
Where he is NOT known, as is too fire.
p;icnilv the case with mon after they
&C: into politics, he may not enjoy
t. the full the confidence that is
quickly placed with him upon per
SonHl acquaintance. Senator Mont
G"mcrE's fame, however. so far as it
has preceded him into sections of
the state which he may not lavc
visited, if honest " hcrHIdcd, cannot
he otherwise than fair.
y generous public is continually
building towers to the men of this
country who have. bv their own cf-
forts, ,1naidcd by the advantages of
wealthy parcntagc, and hanpcrcd hl
tie not n-thc-distancc made
ullacv Of the free school systems
fought on to success until they stooG
on the t"pmosL rung OF the ladder
that is placed FOR all to climb.
might point 10 tn" lives Of many VIII,
have, by their own efforts. com,
from the depths of ohscurtv int,
the high c-ight Of favoritism o
Il nation: from the cabin TO III,
White House; from the saw mill t,
the United States Senate; from tn.
farm to he Presidency of our HIGH
60 institutions Of learning. In thi
Instance | Will conlinc myself to tn
hoy who was born on il farm in
''haCl county of the state. but who
~ reason Of his own indomtHhI
Will, has climbed steadily hat ladde
oi success: discouraged by nothing
vet encouraged by the smallest hap
ICniugS that rewarded his efforts.
Briefly. here is the life history o
Samuel b. Montgomery up to tn
present time: He was born on
farm in barbour county. West Nil
glnla. ON May 18th. 1876, and j
therefore but thirtv-thrce wears O
age the coming May. His parent
were poor. unable to give him tn
schooling that he would have re
ccived had they been in what
known these DAYS as '-moderatc eli
crmstanc"s. The Young man >au
uC! had early to hustle for his ow.
living. When OF tender age his par
cr'ts moved to Newburg. Presto
county. where The son attended tn
public Schools such lis they were il
tj"s" DAYS. His first avocation as
hoy was selling the Wheeling Intel