Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-24
THE JEFFERSON PRIMARY.

An analysis Of the vote at the JEFF
ferson primary on Saturday last shows
the way the political wind is blowing
in West Virginia. 1t proves conclus
lively that the rule OF the people, free
from outside intrigues and influences,
is still dominant in the Democratic
party 1t shows that the Democratic
party is opposed to mud singing and
false charges, and it is apparent, upon
the face of the returns that govern
ment by petition instead of by ballot
is a misconception of the system under
which we live.
The arbitrary action Of the County
Court of one year ago, in refusing to
grant license after the town had so
voted, injected the license question in
to the campaign and the people re-
undated that action at the first oppor-
tunity. The county, therefore, will be
wet" Crafty politicians always try
to make the dry" citizen feel that
their efforts can never be misdirectcd
Lodged behind this citadel. these poll
tlcians use conscienciously dry peo-
PIE to advance themselves politically.
Then too, ex-senator William Camp
bell, who runs an abusive sheet under
the name of a newspaper in Charles
Town, was fighting for what was left
or his political life The last linger-
ing attempt was being made by him
to form an organization through
which he hoped to again ride into pow
er. But the stalwart Democracy of
jefferson will never forget his studied
effort Of four years ago, to disrupt the
party. His candidates were overwhelm-
ingly defeated and his methods repudi-
ated.
We congratulated the people of JEFF
ferson upon the return of Speaker
Wetzel to the House of delegates. The
territory east of the mountains has
had the speakership bui twice since
the formation of the State, and no
man has filled that office with more
gracc and dignity and with better re
suits to his party than Mr. WetZeL
His long experience IL the lower
house. his knowledge OF public AFFAIRS
gained by that experience. his untirlng
efforts TO give the best that is in him
TO his people rendered him not alone
a formidable candidate but made him
the logical one for the position. Mr..
Wetzel may feel highly complimented
in his selection over his opponent, for
it was difficult for the voters to de
eide btween him and a man OF so
high attachments as Mr.. Burr.
The whole party in this senatorial
district was watching the fight be
tween Mcssrs. Kump aid Gilkeson,
both of HAMPSHIRE for the result in
Jefferson practically decides who
shall be Senator McInt-re's successor
That Mr.. Kump carried all but two
precincts in the county, receiving, as
he did nearly two votes to Mr. Gil
kesons one, is a high compliment 10
one Of Hampshires rising young men
Mr. Kump is not a stranger to leglsia-
tive halls having represented his
county in the lower ECIse, and If
nominated and elected he will make
good, no doubt. as the representative
of this district
IT, as we understand it, the dele
gates selected to the various couyen-
lions are favorable to Champ Clark
for the presidential nomination, the
county is in line with the sentiment
most prevalent throughout the State.
All in all the Democracy of Jeffer-
son is to be congratulated upon the
result of the primary. Il should now
be the effort OF everyone to unite ia
order 10 present a solid front to the
common enemy this fall. and thus TO
contribute all 10 their power to the
splendid victory That awaits the party
in State and Nation.
nrMnT Attn nEgTt nnK