Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1912-05-14
To The Democratic Voters Of the Fiji
teenth Senatorial District.

There are some things ! want TO sayto
the Democratic voters of this district
things which should be called to their at
tention and should merit their consider
alton.
/ became candidate for the State
Senate at the solicitation of considera-
Bile number of the representative citizens
of my county who feel that their county
is entitled to the nomination, and who
seem to think am qualified to represent
this district in that body.
1t was my own people whoinduced me
to enter this race and no man is my
sponsor.
When the Prohibition Amendment was
submitted to the vote of the people. had
hoped the whisky question would be ELI
mated from the campaign, at least this
year, in the selection of our candidates
for the various offices. and their election.
But the whisky interests of Berkeley
county and other parts of this Senatorial
District think otherwise. and have de-
termined that must be defeated because
l, as member of the last Legislature.
was in favor of and voted for the submis-
sion of that amendment to the people.
For years there has been great de-
mand by the people of the State that
they be given the right to vote on that
question.
was of the opinion that that demand
should be granted, that the people had
right to decide that question for them
selves. / took that position in the Leg
lslature and advocated. the submission of
that question to the people.
That action of mine has made me often
sive to these liquor people; and now that
am candidate for the nomination tor
State Senator, the saloon and distilhng
interests of this district have declared
that must and shall be defeated; and tc
that end they end all the influence they
can control are putting forth every effort
| have no apologies to make Tor my re
cord in this matter.
| believe that the people ought to bs
permitted to decide that question fol
themselves. l did not believe and dc
not now believe that the whisky interest:
of the State should alone determine it
and now they propose to punish me.
The question now is, what are the peo
of this district going to do about it? Ar,
they going to quietly submit to the con
troll of the district by this poweri Arr
those people to be permitted to determine
who their candidate shall be at this cleo
ton as they have been doing in the past
, as they did in the Martinsburg Conveu
ton OF 1908 when Mr., Mcintyre wa
nominated2
n repeat, the leaders of the whisky OF
T ganization have determined that | am I
7 be beaten because have made mysel
: offensive to them; and they are at wor
in quiet. active and we'll organized wa
for the accomplishment of their purpose
The influences that they can contro
: are at work
Aud | now appeal to every Democrat
l voter. to every fair minded man an
: every man who believes in the prophet
< Of submitting that amendment to th
people. and those who approve my cours,
n to wake up and by their active infuenc
r and votes do all in their power to n
y lieve this district of the domination ,
i this whisky influence.
e The time has come for the people
II the district to assert themselves and brea
{ the political power of these people WI
e have so long controlled the district.
d do not charge that Mr.. Kump is hin
y self a whisky man. but do say that
= is candidate OF the whisky ring that Il
saloon interests are seeking his electie
y and my defeat.
'e Very respectfully.
/ May 7-2t. II. b. GILKEsoN.
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