Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-01-18
An Open Letter From Senator Wat
son and q Wise Suggestion.

OEHdtOI
ter addressed TO Judge w. q. Bennett,
chairman of the Democratic State Execu-
five Committee, in which he suggests
that in the event that the Democraticp r
ty shall elect majority OF the next Leg
islature on joint ballot, primary election
should be called after the election 10 NOM
mate Democratic candidate for Senator,
and that the candidate receiving the high
est number of votes in that primary be
declared the Democratic nominee. His
letter is as follows:
January Is, 1912.
Hon. w. q. Bennett, Chairman Demo-
cratic State Executive Committee,
Weston, W. Va.
NV Dear Sir-I have no information as
| to the time of the meeting OF the DEM.
ocratic State Executive Committee, OF
which YOU are chairman. /, however,
venture to make certain suggestions,
which. il approved by the committee and
by the party, | believe will be conducive
| TO the success OF the Democrats.
| would like very much TO see the DEM
ocratlc party thoroughly united IN the
coming campaign. for the people need
that party and look to its representatives
10 correct abuses, reduce the cost OF ilv-
ing, revise the tariff, regulate improper
CORPORATE powers and restore democratic
| government.
The State of West Virginia is greater
than any citizen thereof, and it expects
much OF our party. The people nf the
State hope that we will nominate a
strong, able ticket, upon which all VIII De
united. and to which the dissatisfied
voters of other parties may turn tor re-
lief. We can and will elect an entire
State ticket if we carry out their WlSheS
and meet the hopes of the leaders OF the
party in the nation.
| assume that among the many dis
tingushed Democrats in the State mere
are those who will desire to submit their
claims for the office OF United States Sen
ator to the next Legislature.
There is no method provided by law
for electing Senators by direct vote, uor
is there any method provided by law TOR
nominating candidate. Experience has
taught all parties that contest among
| senatorial candidates, for members OF the
House and Senate, is demoralizing: and
| the system of compelling candidates tor
| the Legislature to pledge themselves be-,
fore nomination or election is calculated
to weaken the party, if not to Illuminate
| the candidates. The next Legislature
will have much to do besides the cleo
ton of Senator. Our party Will De
called upon to enact constructive and
progressive measures already toreShad-
owed by past positions of the party and
most likely to be incorporated in the next
| platform. Besides, the local county and
the congressional tickets are entltleo 10
the full measure of Democratic Strength,
unhampered by any weakness which any
pledge demanded from a legislative can
| dldate might entail. In other words, ev-
ery Democrat should see TO it now that
the senatorial contest shall not work tor
weakness but for strength to the common
cause.
| Nv suggestion. therefore, is that, IN
the event the Democratic party shall elect
a majority on joint ballot, the party shall
| call a primary election, under such rules
| and regulations as the State Democratic
| Executive Committee may promulgate, 10
be held after the election, and the candl..
date receiving the highest number OF
votes shall be declared the Democratic
nominee. This will approximate as near
" as may be, under the law as It now IS,
| the direct election OF Senators by the
people.
suggest that the primary be held after
the election of the Legislature, because
in this way all who may be candidates
for the Senate will be united in the bltte
against the common enemy. The ser
vices of all the cand dates should thuS.o e
united for party success:
1t is plain that all of the candidates on
the Democratic side would be stronger
than any one OF them.
If become a candidate, would not
desire to succeed unless my candidacy
meets with the approval 1.-THE Democrats
of the State. realize that the party and
its cause is stronger than any one or more
candidates could possibly be. would
dislike very mucn to see the cause OF the
party weakened by useless ante-election
contests. The only political matter COM
| ing before the next Legislature will be
the election of Senator. If he is to be a
| Democrat, as | sincerely believe and
hope he will De, then the Democratic vo-
| tiers ought to select him after the party
has made its contest upon its record and
platform, untrammeled and unhampered
by the personal ambition of anyone. May
| request that, when your committee
meets, this plan be laid before 1t Tor con-
| Sideration
AS to whether your committee or the
State convention is the final tribunal TOT
acting upon this question, | am not ad-
vised; but in the event the State con-
yention has Jurisdiction, the recommend
alton of your committee should be per-
Suasive.
| need not add that, whether ! be a
| candidate or not, and whatever may be
| done with my suggestions, your COM
| mittee will have my earnest and active
cooperation, and intend TO do all in my
power to win victory for the party.
Yours very truly,
c. w. WATSON.
We do not see what fault can be found
with Senator WatSon's suggestion. II
seem to us to be sensible, logical and
practical, and though most persons dc
not give politicians credit for unselfish-
ness, this strikes us as being an entirely
fair and honest plan. 1t certainly would
be an advantage to the State to have the
members of the Legislature selected on
their merits, instead of choosing them
because they will serve the interests o.
some particular candidate for the Senate
and the party would undoubtedly pros
per, as Senator Watson suggests, ii every
body is working tremendously instead o.
being divided into factional camps.
We like this idea firstrate, and we are
anxious TO see how it will be received
by the people genera ly.
THE EFFECTIVE LAXATIVE.
Tastes Like and is Eaten Like Candy