Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1912-09-14
what the Ministry Thinks Of
{. Him As A Candidate 4
:. For Governor
his STANDING IS EXCELLENT
Expressions Obtained Upon Inquiry
N Rds BY Rev. r. q. w. Ford, Of
Gr4ston, and Reproduced here-
with BY Formulation.

Rev. r. q. w. Ford, OF Grafton, has
{sone very interesting letters from
West Virginia minister's touching upon
tho standing OF DR.. Hatfield We ugo
ehem with hi3 permission.
1sv. w. F. Hampton, Pastor M. e.
Church.
prumpler, Mcdowell County, w Va.
April 10. 1919
Drew. 3. @. w. Ford,
Grafton, w. Va.
DEAR Brother Ford:
In reply to your inquiry in rcforerce
20 the candidacy Of Dr. Fl. D. Hatfield
1of this county for the Office Of COVER
NOR of this state. am pleased to give
you the reasons why I think the good
people OF the state should nominate
and elect him.
I have tahen paine to mako an IN
Nestigation as to his character, quail
hoation and fitness for the Office be-
Rore making up my mind or commit
ting myself, and the result OF my in
,vesugation is such that ! feel 1t is my
duty as a Christian minister to give
Atm my hearty support, and l feel that
his candidacy should appeal favorably
ITO the best citizenship Of the state
DR.. Hatfield has for many years beon
recognized as very strong and
worthy leader IN this section OF the
state; he is clean, honest, upright and
absolutely reliable. He always takes
- determined stand FOR whatever no
considers right, and he never wavers
an the discharge Of what he conceives
Ho be his duty. He is o thoroughly hon
,Ornble man and has the respect and
toonf1dence Of tho people in all this 500.
Rlon or the state In the highest degreo
DR.. Hatfield has done probably more
FOR suffering humanity in this vicinity
Ahan any other man. he having for the
past several years devoted q great DOT.
fion Of his time, absolutely without
charge, to tho relioS OF unfortunate
miners, railroad mon and others tn.
5ured IN the mines, on the railroad and
IN lumber camps in this community
The record OF his work along this line
ut the Miners Hospital, at Welch, is
well known, and for this work, as well
as his many other good qualities, he ie
very much beloved by the people in
Nil this section
understand that reports are be
n1g circulated in some sections OF the
Sstate by opponents OF DR.. Hatfield &c
Nhe effect that he is an undesirable
PcitiZen and not q law-abiding man, but
q wish to say that it Is only necessary
20 investigate his standing in this com
immunity to verify the fact that such re
Dorts are false and slanderous | COT
mot understand why any one woult
knowingly circulate report detr}
mental to the character, reputation on
good name OF a man of DR.. Hatfield's
Standins, and am indeed sorry that hi:
opponents should resort to such, IL II
Hs true that they have done so.
/ want to assure you that In my
toplnion the affairs of this state could
mot be entrusted to q safer man thar
DIR. Hatfield, and I feel sure that the
moral standing Of the people will be
elevated by his Influence as governor
OF the state. He Is temperate and so
Der in habits and his pleasing person
al1ty is lost attractive. He is kline
and courteous and never misses an Oh
portunity to do good deed and K
serve his fellow-man.
l can freely lend my support to any
man with life and character like DR.
Hatt1eid, stamped with, honesty, up
Brightness and devotion to the interes
OF the people, and | can, as a Christian
citizen, commend him TO my brethren
with the utmost confidence that he
Will carry out to the letter every prom
Use made to the electorate.
Cordially yours,
w. +. HAMPTON,
Pastor Crumple Methodist Episcopa
Church.