The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-08-08
LETTER ON THE
ISSUES OF THE DAY.
It Puts DIR. Hatfield With the stand
n Patters.
From Geo. w. Summers.

Against the action of the fraudulent
republican convention at Chicago has
forfeited all right to the support of
the rank and file Of the Republican
party and Of decent citizens general
ly In my Judgment no honest
man, whether Republican or Demo-
crat can support Mr.. Taft and claim
any right to the suffrage of an hon.
est man.
These are the words of Theodore
Roosevelt and they indicate his at
titude toward DR.. Hatfield, Republi-
can nominee for Governor Of West
Virginia, a supporter of President
Taft. For DIR. Hatfield within the
last week has shown himself to be
friend and supporter of President
TAFT, Not only has DR. Hatfield
failed ito come out against the ac-
ton Of the fraudulent Republican
convention at Chicago" but he was
present at the notification meeting
at the White House few days ago,
and Joined with others in extending
congratulations to President TAT
upon receiving nomination at the
hands of the Republican party.
DR.. Hatfield was accompanied by
former Senators N b. Scott and Da-
Wis Elkins, Congressman James Al.
I Hughes, former state Chairman
Virgil l.. Highland and other anti
Roosevelt Republicans on his visit
to the White House His greeting
from President Taft was much more
cordial than that of other visitors.
and there was every evidence that.
4 Or. Hatfield was recognized at the
White House as one of the Presi-
dents warm friends.
Such conduct upon the part Of
DR.. Hatfield, in view of the state
ments made by Mr.. Roosevelt, would
absolutely bar him from receiving
the Roosevelt support for the gov
eTnorship of West Virginia. The
attitude of the Bull Moose party to-
ward the Republican State ticket
has not yet been defined but as DR..
Hatfield Is at the head of the ticket
and as Mr.. Roosevelt has declared
mis- opposition to candidates who do
not support him for President. II
would seem that the nomination Of
"a third State ticket will be the next
stem on the part of the Progressive
Marty since, under the dictates of
their leader, members of this party
cannot support DR.. Hatfield for
governor, or the ticket Of which he
lis the head.
I rri +.
Those who desire to guess at the
result OF the election to be held in
West Virginia in November next.
should remember that the Democrat
ic narty is stronger in West Virgin
i "a at the present time than it has
been for many years, regardless Of
the situation in the Republican par
lty In addition to this ususual
strength of the Democracy, the con-
d1tion In the Republican party
ishould not be lost sight of. &. The
splendid record made by the Demo-
cratic representatives from West
! Virginia in both houses Of Congress
has united and strengthened the
Democratic party in West Virginia
until 1t need not fear to meet even
united Republican party in the
campaign. The course pursued by
the Democrats from West Virginia
In both Senate and House has been
such as to justify the confidence
which has been placed in them and
which has resulted in bringing to-
gether all Democrats and uniting
them for the fight against the vari-
Gus kinds of Republicans who are
trying to get themselves into polit-
zeal power. On the other hand there
are so many varieties of Republicans
lighting under so many different
Ileaderships, that no one who pro-
fesses to belong to that party knows
today exactly where he stands.
According to Governor Glasscock.
Mr. Taft is not the real nominee of
the Republican party, but M. j..
Simms of Montgomery, West vir-
ginia, who was selected by the West
| Virginia delegation to the Republic
can convention at Chicago went to
| the White House last Thursday and
assured President Taft that he is
the regular nominee of the Republi-
can party for president. DR.. Hat
field, Senator Davis Elkins, Con-
gressmanf Hughes and other leaders
of the Republican party joined with
Mr.. Simms in this assurance. Will
| liam Seymour Edwards, a member
of tht National Committee which is
trying to elect Mr. Taft, asserts that
Theodore Roosevelt is the real nom
lnee Of the Republican party for
president, but Mr.. Roosevelt says he
lis not, Republican, but is seeking
to establish new party and TO
become its candidate for President.
1t Is hoped by some that the cand:-
oates for electors. on the Republi-
can ticket, II elected will vote for
William III. Taft for president; 9TH
ers believe they will vote for Roose-
welt; while Mr. vickers, one OF the
candidates says 1t is his own bust
ness and no one else's how he will
vote for President If he Is chosen
an eiector. Such Is the situation in
IT,. Republican patty in West Vir-
ginia. while the Democratic party is
more thoroughly united than it has
been before for many years and
more determined to win in the COM
ing election.
As the adjournment of Congress
4 draws near the apraamanf unon