Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1912-05-28
". G. Brown Strong In Second.

hCfoCis w va, ApTlI Z9,-A SeOtle-
man who has just returned from a bust
ness tour of several counties 10 the Sec
ond Congressional District, made known
here his views upon the congressional
situation and was outspoken IN his opin-
ION that Congressman VIM. G. Brown is
stronger in the district this year than he
was two years ago. He said:
I'm Preston county, where the Repub-
lican najorities have been large for many
years, the Republicans are torn by dis
sention which since the presidential con-
ventions of last Saturday. are even more
bitter than they were two years ago"
1.-The young progressive element won
out in Preston county by sweeping the
county for Roosevelt. 1t can be fairly
said that twas not entirely due to the
popularitv'of Mr.. Roosevelt with the Re-
publican voters, but the Roosevelt ad-
herents were spurred on to take an active
part in the conventions. because the
county committee and Republican organ
The Preston County Journal, were ram
pant In their efforts to capture the county
for President Taft.
at was the progressive element in that
county which two years ago gave Con-
gresham Brown his big maj ,rity in the
county-the unheard CT thing for Dem.
ocrat carrying the county. This year,
while Attorney General Conley is not op
posed personally. for the same reasons
that Mr.. Sturgiss was opposed in 1910.
hundreds Of the voters are favorable to
Mr.. Brown in that county for MIR. Browns
own sake, and for the record he has made
in Congress.
They speak out openly and frankly
about the matter, and heard It discussed
in various parts of the county by Repub-
llcans in public. where | met groups
gathered together. They refer 10 Mr..
Browns close attention to the bushes.
of his district. His promptness in answer
ing letters, and his prompt interest IN the
pension cases of old soldiers. as we'll as
his cheerful willingness to take all. mat
ters brought to his attention by citizens
of the district, whether rich or poor.
In Monongalia county l find Nh.
Brown personally very popular. although
he is of course not as well known there
as he is in his home county of Preston
But the independent spirit of the voters
seems to be manitesting itself. 1t was
shown also in the Monongalia presiden-
tial conventions, and this same spirit is
dominantamong the voters in all matters
and questions that are before them for
settlement in November.
mo one hears any personal objections
raised to Mr.. Conley, who will undoubt.
eddy be the congressional nominee of his
party. But the voters are saying that he
has been well taken care of in public of
fee and is leaving the Office of ATTORNEY
genera, to which he might have been re.
elected. to come back into the district to
cal ture the seat IN Congress. They argue
that Il mere political difference between
Conley and Brown is not of sufficient i'm
portance to make it their imperative du-
t TO support an untried Republican
for tried Democrat who has made a
useful member of Congress, and who has
worked z.alous,y. early and late, for tn.
interests of his district. irrespective of
party + ffiliations.
That seems t, be the keynote of the
Sentiment as it stands. They feel that
Mr.. B own is eut tied, justlv.to second
term. That he has been a hard worker
and while he has supported the Demo
cratic tariff measures, as a loyal party
man. that even is a better evidence OF
Loyalty than some Democrats have shown
in supporting Republican measures, or
some Republicans have shown who have
supported Democratic measures. In fact
many of the Republicans in the district
are favorable to revision of the tariff
downward, as the national party plat
form pledged the party. and so far, the
voters have found nothing Objectionable
IN Mr.. Browns course. but very much in
his favor and to his credit
This stu ton was surprise to me-
continued the gentleman interviewed.
"but / believe that l have sized the
situation up about right. The republicans
of this county are not hide bound in
party loyalty any more. and Congressman
Brown seems to have pleased the people
of his district.
SIN several of the other counties |
found the same sentiment and same state
offesling. Especially in Taylor, Berkeley
and Jefferson, as we'll as this county of
Mineral and the two counties spoken of
more IN detail. of course Hon. WIN, G. |
Conley has following and his friends.
The fact is his friends were free to speak
out about his coming candidacy. They
said they regretted that he had chosen to
take this step at this time. They are
loyal to his interests and are proud of
the record be has made in public life
aud do not want to see him rush into this ,
contest and be slaughtered Mr.. Brown.
they say. has always been personally
popular. and his two years of service in !
Congress has but added to this popularity.
and they would much have preferred 70 !
have safely reelected Mr.. Conlev as
attorney general, and given him congress
lonal honors at some other time