The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-05-16

that was possible for them to have
and enjoy and all they were entitled
to, in consideration of the service
performed; and since that time /
have sought diligently to that end,
and to qualify myself, as best
could, to PROFOUND a principle,
should | find. one, that in my opin-
ion would. if applied to our gov
ernmental and industrial institu-
tons, better their conditions and
give them greater per. cent of the
wealth they were producing. And
am ready to say now, that | have
thoroughly convinced myself, that
those who do the work are not get
ting near half what they are enti-
tied to, and | am ready and able to
back up my statement with statis-
tics, furnished by your Uncle Sam
himself. And Furthermore / am full
ly persuaded that there is, absolute
ly, no other means of securing to the
workers more of the necessaries of
life for the; same amount of work
done, than he is now getting except
by and through, the application of
the Principles advocated, by the So
cialist Party, to our governmental
and industrial institutions.
have written a booklet enti-
tied, The Passing of Capitalism and
Exploitation, and have one for eve
ry voter in the county, both great
ay,a ,oH xxyh; 10 nd
expect to see that they get it without
asking, and if you do not receive
yours nthe near future / would be
glad to have you call my attention
to that fact, and one will be sent
you promptly.
You will not hear from me very
often during this campaign, as it
takes money for Socialist to talk
to you through, Capitalist press,
but some time before election hope
to be able to meet most Of you, If
not all, face to face, and have a per-
sonal talk with you over the great
problems, FOOD, CLOTHING, and
SHELTER, that are agitating the
working classes more today than
ever before in the history of this
country.
am not asking your suppjrc up
en- personal grounds, or upon prom
.ses that | shall more honestly de-
mean myself in the performance Of
the duties of the office, should | be
elected, than some one else. | claim
nothing supernatural. claim to be
only very ordinary human being
and actuated by the same motives
as other ordinary persons. Nor do
ask your support upon the grounds
that / need the Office worse than
some one else, or because have
never asked you for an office before,
or because of any extraordinary
qualifications or fitness for the Office,
but ask your support upon my past
record and the Great principles adj
vocated by the Socialist Party, upon
which | rest my case. And should
the voters Of this county honor me
with this high Office, shall have
only one promise to fulfill, and that
do promise to fulfill, which is to
perform the duties OF that office, to-
the very best of my ability, without
fear or favor, and to see that the
working class, and all others, in all
cases, get the full benefit and pro-
lection of the law, as construed from
4 standpoint of reason, equity. COM
mon sense and Justice" No mans
support is solicited or acceptable,
whose past record does not evidence
the fact, that he at least thinks he
stands for principles that would do
the most good for the most people,
and those who have become fa-
moasly identified with Ring Rule, ("
ballot box stuffing. and enriching
themselves from the public treasury,
|sare very graciously thanked in adj
vance for all the brick bats or bou-
crets they may see cause to hit me
with during this campaign.
ask your support i'm the name of
honest government, and govern
ment OF the people, by the people
and for the benefit of all the people.
Fraternally yours,
THOMAS, WEST.