Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-01-19
Senator Watson

My dear Sir:
hsvs no Information as to the time
Of the NEE z Of the Democratic State
Executive Committee, Of which you
are Chairman. /, however, venture to
make certain suggestions, which, II
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
Democratic party thoroughly united la
the coming campaign, for the people
need that party AID look to its re-
representatives. to correct abuses, reduce
the cost Of living revise the .arifi,
regulated improper corporate powers and
restore democratic Cover nment.
The State Of West Virginia il greater
than any citizen thereof, and itsxpects
much Of our party, The people Of the
State hope that we will nsminate
strong, able ticket, upon which all viii
be united, and 70 which the dissatisfied
voters of other parties may turn for re.
lief We can and will elect an entire
state ticket II we carry out their Wishes
aud thus meet the hopes Of the leaders
Of the party in the nation.
| assume that among the many dir;
tinguished Democrats In the State,
there are those who will desire to sub
nit their claims for the Office Of U nited
States Senator to the next legislature.
| There Is no method provided by law
for eIeeting Senators BY direct vote, nor
is there any method provided by law
for nominating candidate. Exper-
fence has taught all pa rites that CON
test among senatorial candidates, for
members Of the House aud Senate, il
demoraiizing, and the system or COM
peiling candidates for the legislature TO
pledge themselves before nomination
or election Is calculated to wcAken the
party. II MT to humiliate the oandi-
dates. The next legislature VIII have
much TO do besides the election Of a
Senator. Our party will be called upon
to enact constructive and prog ressive
measures already fovcshadowed by past
positions Of the party land most likely
to be incorporated in the next platform.
Besides, the local, county and the Con-
gressional tickets are entitled to the
full measure Of Dsmocratic strength,
uHhAmpered by the weakness which
any pledge demanded from legislative
candidate, might ertaii? In other
words, every Democrat should see to IL
now that the Senatorial contest shall
not werG for weakness but for strength
to the common cause
My suggestion, therefore, 10 that, In
the event the Democratic party shall
elect majority on jeint ballot, the
party shall call q primary election,
under such rules and regulations a. the
STATE Democratic Executive Committee
may promulgate, 70 be held after the
election, and the candidate receivin &
the highest number votes shall he de-
clared the Democratic nominee. ibis
will Approximate az nearly a. may be,
under the law as it now Is, the direct
election of Senators by the people.
suggest thst the primary be held
after the election OF the Legislature, be-
cause In this way all who may be can
didates for the Senate will be united In
the battle against the com mon enemy.
The services OF all the candidates
should be thus united for party sue
cess.
1t IL plain that all OF the candidates
on the Democratic side would DO
stronger IL the election than any one
OF them.
| II becoue candidate, would not
desire to succeed unless my candidacy
meets with the approval OF the Demo-
Gratis OF the State. realize that the
party and its cause 10 stronger than
any one or mere candidates could pos
sibly be. / would dislike very much
to see the cause Of the party weakened
by useless ante-election contests. The
only political matter coming before the
next legislature will be the election of
a Senator. If he 10 to be Demo rat,
as sincerely believe and hope he will
be, then the Democratic voters ought
10 select him after the party has mad e
its contest upon It's record and platform
untrammelred and unhampered by the
personal ambitlon Of anyone. May i
request that when your committee
meets, this plan be laid before 1t for
consideration?
As to whether your committee or the
state Convention is the final tribunal
for acting npon this question. am
not advised; but 10 the event the State
Convention has jurisdiction, the recon-
mendation Of your committee should
be persuasive.