The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1911-01-12
West Virginia Republican
and Democrat Parties
Have Had.

States senator's by the Democratic
Legislature Of West Virginia, which
meets within the zweels is attaretina
attention not only withinssthe state
but throughout the nation, "a review
of the, States representation in the
past in the Senate of the United
States may not be out of place.
The election of two Democrats as
senators will break the tie which
existed prior to the death Of Senator
Elkins as to the term OF service OF
Democratic and Republican senators
respectively. For In the torty-eight
years of the States existence the ag-
gregate term of Republican senators
has been just fofty-eight years and
the aggregate term of Democratic
senators has been the same.
While their terms of service have
been Of equal aggregate length, the
Democrats have had seven senators.
while the Republicans have had but
five, making the average length Of
service of the Republican senators
longer than the average for the Dem
ocrats.
Senator Elkins, with is years of
service to his credit, lacking a few
weeks, and two years more to serve.
when he died, had the longest term.
OF Office of any of the senators the
state has had. Senator'S Davis,
Faulkner and Scott. with twelve
years each of service, rank next to.
Senator Elkins in length of service.
Senator Kenaa served ten years, his
career being ended like that of
Senator Elkins, by death, when he
had two more years to serve. Senators
Camden and Wiley had eight years
each OF service, Senators vanWinkle
and Foreman six years each, while
Senator's Caperton, Price and Here
ford each served part of the. same
six year term. Mrs Caperton, whoI
was elected to the senatorshtp, died.
Mr.. Price was appointed to fill the
till the legislature convened
and then Mr.. Hereford was elected
to fill the vacancy for the rest OF the.
term.
When the state was formed in,
1853, the first senators chosen were.
Peter &. VantWinkle, of Parkers=
burg, and Waitmans 7. Wiley, OF
Morgantown. Mr.. Wiley drew the.
short term of two years and was
elected for full term as his own
successor in 1865, serving until
March 4, 1871. Mr.. Wiley, who was
reckoned one of the great lawyers
of his period, was a member of the
West Virginia constitutional conven-
tion which framed the states first
constitution. He was senator from
Virginia under the restored govern
ment and when the new state was
formed was senator from it. He
died May 8, 1900.
Serving with Mr.. Wiley was Sena-
tor VanWinkle. He, too, was con-
sidered one of the best lawyers oil
his period and territory. He was
member of the Virginia constitu-
tional convention OF 1850, and as
sisted in framing West Virginia's
first constitution, as member of the /
constitutional convention. He was
member OF the reorganization con-
vention at Wheeling in 1861 and
took an active part in the formation
Of West Virginia. He died April IL,
1912,
Arthur /. Boreman, of Parkers-
burg, succeeded Senator yanwinklel
IN the Senate in 1869, being elected
10 the place while he was serving as
the governor of West Virginia. Hei
took an active part in the formation
of the state and was president of the
Wheeling convention OF 1861 to re-
organize the government of Virginia.
Senator Boreman died April 1871
1896.
Henry Gassaway Davis, then of
Piedmont, now of Bkins, was the
first Democratic senator. He sue
cecded w. 7. Wiley in 1871. Start
Ing life as a poor boy, working upon
farm and afterward as brakeman
on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad,
he gradually engaged in coal mining,
banking and railroad construction.
He served twelve years in the Sem
,ate, retiring in 1888. since which
,me he has devoted himself to rail-
road building, coal mining, banking
aud other Industrial and financial
eterprlses. He was nominated for
tue vice presidency on the Democrat
i ticket with Judge Alton B. Par
ker and now. at the age Of 81 years,
.Ae is still active in politics and is
looked upon as a senatorial posi-
.Ioility at the present time.
!. Allen T. Caperton, of Union. sue
recded Senator Boreman in 1875,