Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-05-21
TAKES OBSERVATION
FROM MOUNTAIN
Charles Smith Brooks Not Able to
See Clearly Through SpygIass.
HE WRITES FROM GRAFTON

Says Berkeley County is Enthusiastic
For Senator scott-TeIls Of Leaders
Who Are Interesting Themselves in
the Fight in the Second District.
Charles Brooks Smith, credited with
being one of the shrewdest and ablest
political writer's in the state has gone
to the top of the West Virginia hills,
overlooking the Second Congressional
district, and has erected his political
observatory at Grafton. The spy glass
or telescope which he used in search
ing out the political situation in this
county must have been a very poor
one. And then too, Charles Brooks"
! either did not know, or else over
looks, what every Eastern Panhandler
knows, that there is a high mountain
between Apple Pie Ridge and Grafton,
which obstructs Che "~Graft"onlanFs
view and protects this end of the dis
trict from the frost which falls on the
section lying between the mountains.
The District Generals, while having
headquarters at Grafton, generally
have to come to this end of the state
and take their observations from the
top of Apple Pie Ridge or Polivar
Heights, Berkeley county people must
be seen and talked to before you a
form an estimate or what they are
going to do. The opinion of a few men,
r,bo ora a1wauc uyi11inn RI hava thair
opinions aired in pubic, do not con-
vey the sentiment of the people as a
whole, and particularly is this the case
at this time.
Those who read the lurid descrip-
ton of the Hon. Smith, will be CON-
PEELED to force a smile similar to the
one which comes creeping over tho
faces of the State Senators when the
same Hon. Charles Brooks Smith
makes his appearance in the hall OF
our higher legislative body after the
opening and wends his way to the
press table with his ever present grin
and boutionair.
The gentlemen named as being the
leaders in the fight for Senator Scott
in this county. will probably be sur
prised to learn of their active interest
in the matter. So far the Road Com
missioner is the only one named whe
has come out openly for Mr.. Scott.
The others will likely not take a too
active part until later. There is yet
plenty of time TO line up As the
names of the candidates for Senator
will not go before the people o. Ber-
kelley county.
II the able political "dopester'
wants to find put how things are in
Berkeley county he should come down
here and take a drive through the
apple orchards and then walk out
over the stone quarries. He might
then be able to get a closer view Of
the situation thar he a from the top
of the mountain at Grafton.
Below will be found his latest effus-
ion on Berkeley county.
Grafton, w. Va, May 13.-This
city is the political headquarters OF
the Second Congressional district.
Here the congressional committees OF
both parties have had their head
quarters for many years, and from
here the ~contending armies in many
memorable battles have been directed
in their m~aneuvers. Memories or
historic e~ngagementse in which tn
Daytons, the McGraws, the Lakins.
the Tom Davises. the Sturgissess and
first of all the William Wilson's group
ed themselves in the background.
In the current conflict, then, it
would seem appropriate to send a dis
patch dealing with conditions in the
Second district from this hilltop
upon which so many great politicat
leaders have stood, ield-glasses IN
hand, viewed former great connlcts'
and gave directions for the CONDUCT
of momentous political battles.
To begin with let us take the ) T.
ond in detail. by counties. Entering
from the far eastern side, we come 70
Berkeley. What is the situation
there senatorially? We ind the party
organization. backed by a large malor-
itv of party sentiment, formed in bat
lie arrav behind the Haunting stand
and OF Senator Nathan Bay Scott.
Snch strong and influential leaders az
William Hoffheins, George NJ. Bow
ers. Charles NJ. Lamar and Charles ?.
Light are to be found in the coun-
ground leading the forces of the coun
TVS popular choice for the senator
ship.