Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-05-02
To the Democratic Voters of the FIJI
teenth Senatorial District.


There are some things want to say to
the Democratic voters OF this district
things which should be called to their at
tention, and which should merit their
earnest consideration.
became a candidate for the State Sen
ate at the solicitation OF a considerable
number of the representative Citizens OF
my-county, who feel that their county is
entitled to denomination, and who seem
10 think am qualified to represent this
district in that body. 1t was my own
people who induced 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
whiskey question would be eliminated
from the campaign, at least this year, IN
the selection of our candidates Tor the
various offices and their election. But
the whiskey interests of Berkeley county
and other parts OF this senatorial district
think otherwise, and have determined
that must be defeated because |, as a
member of the last Legislature, was in ia
vor of and voted for the submission OF
that amendment to the people.
For years there has been greal de-
mand by the people OF the State that they
be given the right to vote on that ques-
ton. was of the opinion that that de-
mand should be granted, that the people
had right to decide that question TOR
themselves. | took that position in the
legislature and advocated the submission
OF that question TO the people.
That action of mine has made me OF
fensive to these liquor people; and now
that am candidate for the nomination
for State Senator, the saloon and distill-
ing interests of this district have declared
that must and shall be defeated, and to
that end they, and all the influences they
can control, arc putting forth every Ell
fort.
have no apologies to make for my
record in this matter. believed that
the people ought to be permitted to de-
eide that question for themselves. | did
not believe, and do moi now believe, that
the whiskey interests of the State should
alone determine it. And now they pro-
pose to punish me.
The question now is: What are the
people OF this district going to do about
ii? Are they going to quietly submit to
the control OF the district by this power I
Are those people to be permitted to de-
termine who your candidate shall be al
this election, as they have been doing in
the past-as they did in the Martinsourg
convention OF 1908, when Mr.. Mcintyre
was nominated =?
| repeat, the leaders OF the Whlskey
organization have determined that | am
to be beaten, because ! have made my
self offensive to them; and they are al
work in quiet. active and well-organ-
lied way for the accomplishment OF thell
purpose. The influences that they Car
control are al work.
now appeal to every Democratic
voter, to every fair minded man, and
every man who believes in the proprlety
of submitting that amendment 10 the peo-
pie, and those who approve my course,
to wake up and by their active influence
and voters do all in their power to relieve
this district OF the domination of this
whiskey influence.
The time has come for the people o.
the district to assert themselves and break
the political power Of these people who
have so long controlled the district.
do not charge that Mr.. hump is himself
whiskey man, but do say that he is
candidate OF the whiSkey ring, that the
saloon interests are seeking his election
and my defeat.
Very respectfully,
H. B. GILKESoN.