The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-11-07
WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE
: RENE(,ADES2

WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE
: RENEGADES?
A few years ago the men who
now control the Republican organi-
cation in Mingo county were in the
Democratic party running for all Of
the Offices In sight. They were fire.
quently turned down and one by one
became disgruntled. About the
time the principal leaders OF their
clan became convinced that they
could not control fhe Democratic
party, the State began to look like
it was permanently Republican and
the coal development of the county
began to reduce the Democratic ma
jority here so the Democratic party
did not furnish very promising
field for graft. Its principles, how
ever, remained the same. These men
were not Democrats from principle.
In fact very few OF them had suffi-
cient intelligence to know anything
about political principles, and more
shame on them II they did. They
organized themselves into gangs and
took charge OF the Republican organ
ization with the assistance OF the
worst element Of the Republican
party. and to the complete disgust of
the decent Republicans. They con-
trolled the organization with an
iron hand and gathered around
themselves the lowest and worst ell
ement of both parties. The element
that could be bought with little
graft in the form of county Offices,
State and Federal appointments dis
trict offices, the distribution OF road
funds, deputyships for various Of
ficers, clerkships, the granting of
saloon licenses and even the employ
ment of bar tenders. This has CIV
en- Mingo county as rule set of
county and district officials that are
not only incompetent from the
standpoint OF intelligence to admin
lister the duties Of the various offices
in high class, honest and genteel
manner, but officers who perform
every official act according to orders
issued by political bosses, whose ig-
norance and dishonesty are notori-
Gus. Whose work in the way of
election frauds and official dishon-
esty are well known over the State.
In fact, our county, with thousands
OF honest and cultivated people in it,
has national reputation that makes
gentleman or lady feel like apol-
ogizing anywhere they go for living
H., iv,fa
This organization has been recog-
mixed and petted by the Republican
State committee and the Republi-
cans have to all intents and purposes
been kicked out OF the party.
This is the political condition of
Mingo county at the present time.
Mercer county went through the
same condition several years ago,
and Mcdowell county is still groan-
ing under the same load Of corrup-
ton that disgraces Mingo
But a new era is dawning Within
few months Theodore Roosevelt
and his followers have organized
the Progressive party and obtained a
majority Of what was once the Re-
publican vote over the Republican
organization in nearly all the States
o. the Union, including West Vir-
ginia. This. makes the Republican
party the third party with no graft
in sight except what was rescued
at the present election. The Repub-
Leans are now in a class with the
Socialists, Prohibitionists and other
small parties who are compelled in
nearly all the States to nominate
their candidates by petition. The
action OF their conventions and pri-
mary elections will not be recog-
nized
In addition to the above difficul-
ties, the whiskey graft and the in
fiuence of the saloons in controlling
the negroes and ignorant and low
elements Of whites, will soon be
gone This is an awful and irrep-
arabic blow to the renegade organi-
cation in this county and Mcdowell,
as well as everywhere else where
Methodist Church.
Sunday School at 9:45. The nonse
will be warm ard everything in good
shape Come on time and let us
have the best Sunday School OF the
year
Prayer iuee.lng "Wednesday night
at 1880. The pastor has been away
from prayer E,f citing iof several
weeks, but will be on hand. new and
asks eyerv member of the chhrta to
rally to this important service.
Sunday morning Rev. J. B. Ward,
the new Presiding Elder, will preach.
Come out and hear him, he is a
strong preacher.
Sunday evening at 1880 the pastor
will preach the third of series Of
sermons on the Lords Prayer.
Strangers and visitors vii. find a
hearty welcome Now is the time for
every member of the church to rally
for good work.
L. w. PIERCE. Pastor.