The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-11-30
Is BEING ANXIOUSLY SOUGHT
AMONG NEGROES OF FAY
ETTE COUNTY.
Candidates Scarce
Men Who Have Had the Honor are
Unwilling to Accept 1t Again on
Account Of Small Salary, and
New Man Must Be Selected to
Try for House Of Delegates.

Fayetteville, Nov. 29.-It hay-
ing been very generally conceded
that John S. Noel is to have no op-
position to his candidacy to succeed
himself as Republican Committee
man at Large when he announces
himself, as he is expected to do
shortly, speculation is now turned
toward the men who would make
good legislative timber
Interest in this question grows
with the increasing friendliness be-
tween the factions Of the white Re-
publicans and their manifest desire
to get together. In the last cam
paign in this county there were two
tickets in the field, one of the Re-
publicans only, the other Independ-
ent-made up OF disgruntled Re-
publicans and Democrats. The lat
ter sent the three delegates to the
legislature and made such a close
bid for some of the other offices
that the courts have not yet decided
TO whom the honor belongs.
The regulars would have licked
the platter clean, but for their ILL
concealed attempt to drop the Ne
gro. Previous to that campaign
provisions had been made for sever
al years for the certain nomina alton
Of a Negro on the legislative ticket
OF the three possible nominees, the
call for the primary election pro-
vlded that the Negro receiving the
highest vote should be declared
one. In 1910 this provision was
overlooked, so it was claimed, and
J. nj. Ellis and II. l.. Sweeney had
to take their chances with the field.
The result was that neither was
nominated. Grounds for the charge
of fraud we're not wanting, and Ell
lis and q number Of other influen
tial Negroes allied themselves with
the independents.
Ellis detection was not without
good results, and the Negroes are
very likely to have their ancient
privilege restored to them. Hence,
the interest that is being taken in
the probable candidates.
In. the outset, Ellis, who repre-
sented the county three terms, and
H. H. Railey, who was in the House
of Delegates one session, have elm
mated themselves, though both are
good material and either could win
easily if the other were not in the
race. Ellis gives as his reason for
preferring private life the meagre-
ness Of the pay, claiming that he
loses more from his law practice
than the salary paid a legislator.
haley advances the same argu-
ment. This leaves to be considered
DR.. r. l.. Gordon, Of Thurmond,
who has long asDired to the honor;
Rotten Anderson, Of Fayetteville,
custodian Of the Court House and
prominent in political circles; T. l..
Sweeney, an attorney Of Fayette-
Vile, who has tried for the nomina-
ton so many times as to be re-
garded as standing candidate;
and J. V. Coleman, Of Mt. Carbon,
a hard worker in recent campaigns
for the Republican ticket.
There is no certainty that all or
any-of these will allow his name to
be used in connection with the place
but they are being talked Of by
their friends who are putting out
feelsrs to get a line on public sem
timent. Coleman is said 10 have
expressed his willingness TO make
the sacrifice but doubts the wisdom
Of taking the step because he fears
his educational advantages have
not been as great as he thinks the
man ought to have who helps to
make the laws. Anderson, Gordon
and Sweeney have not yet express
ed themselves, but something may
be coming from that direction at
most any time now.