The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-10-31

state politics in many years. - = O''
He is the Youngest man who has ever been candidate
Tor tat exaed oGe and is one of very few men who have
been nominated by the old parties that does not aonn to fhe
legal profession. ! 80
Dr. Hatfield is physician and surgeon and he ranks at
the tOpnotCh of his profession in this state Any member If
it will SlbStantate that statement
His entrance into politics was quite by accident He be-
came interested in reform movement anonu the better ee.
men IN MS home county of Mcdowell to bnq about better
administration of local government With two oher men of
the same high standing and mbed with the same oy deals,
ne was elected commissioner. Cleaning uD in McDoW-
ellis political affairs followed, with the result that today that
county has one OF the best most honest and most progressive
governments IN the state The building of many miles of GOOD
roads by prison labor was of the many numerous reforms
originated and carried out successfully by Dr. Hatfield
His next office was that Of member of the state senate.
He was substituted on the ticket in the place of man who had
been regularly nominated but who resigned shortly before the
election. Dr.. Hatfield was far distant from home at that
time, and this action was taken without consulting him. Had
he been consulted ne would not have allowed his name
to be used and hence ne would not now be on the way to be
the governor of his native state No man was more wrapped
up his profession than Dr. Hatfield and he had not taste for
politics at that time.
When he came to the state senate by that inexpicahe
psychology which attracts the public attention to man and
aTOuSeS its expectancy, Dr.. Hatfield pointed out
young man worth watching as ne had the elements OF great
ness in him. He was pointed out as 'comer" in the wide
field Of political life and official usefulness.
The most noticeable thing in his first senatorial session
waShs serious interest in work. He studied and he shaved
with the problems that presented themselves to him. he
was an interchangeable worker night and day. He impressed
those who watched him as being ghtfuy Impressed with his
responsible duties and man who liked Work-Who thrved
Onndeatgabe effort He seldom arose to speak in that SEES
SOn but when he did, he had something to say and was listen
ed to-. He welded great influence over his colleagues
but it he knew it he gave no signs OF II.
Another thing which was noticeable in this yet compar-
aVey young man, was his rapid DEVELOPMENT 10 what may
be designated the arger view. At TSt ne was inclined
to look at the state at large from the standpoint OF his own
homecounty environment, and seemingly impatient when the
opposite view was taken by Others This trait the growing
knowledge Of legislative affairs quickly eliminated in him.
and then he arose to that degree OF perception which, wnen
possessed marks man having IN III meenentS OF genuine
craftsmanship.
His second session as senator found him the only man
TIED senate could unite on Tor It's presiding OFFICER ne Was
unanimously chosen, and in that trying poSltlon ne was So
ar and so honest and courteous that ne won Inc hgneS
respect of everybody At the concluding session. me mem
brS Of the Senate, Democrats as we'll as kepu1lCanS COM
peted with each other in flights OF oratorca tribute 70 MS
splendid record and all joined in presenting nun WIN one u
the most beautiful and costly silver services 10 De procured
AS legislator his name is associated with every one OF
The few laws that were enacted IN ms ue ooKy " sGGia
Justice and progressive development Laws fo me 1ep OF
labor the child labor commission and many oneF aaVanCeG
stems in government he stood behind and aggesSveY pro-
noted. -
His reputaton with his colleagues was as man abSo-
ey honest and fearless: man fair, honorable and court
eouS broad minded big, splendid man, who was student
and very serious and terribly Woodworking senator.
His becoming candidate for governor was more by aG
Cden Than desnn He did NOT particularly aspire to it and
had never thought of anything else except Gonlung " .e
practice of his profession. He seemed TO oeSe uaI more
s55 a'p s es But sS s0 manu- ad one made
record that he could proudly stand on, and Whcn e people
we're likely to approve So after much reluctance on MS
acy W for a tSe Nomination we'll known recent history
Everywhere he was the popular choice He carried az az 6 ex
p seven ys counties and Hf, received n $4,000
Ct the 10000 votes cast in the pafyS sLaewIue ,aS
the the bs oI and if met with their Overwhelming approval
re running that platform Of pledges today as wen a$ me
platform the party adopted in state convention asSe NJ fa
construction dea lie is man who builds up and does not
tear down. only that which is no good and should pc ra1eu
He man with message. He has program OF important