Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-01-08
A Spirited Correspondence.

/ ne removal OF Inc superintendent OF
the State Institution for the Deaf and
Blind at Romney, this State, has resulted
in an interesting correspondence between
Prescott Huidekoper, well-known gen.
tleman OF Hampshire county, and Gov
ernor Hatfield, of West Virginia. We
pub ish the letters in full. The first is
from Mr.. Huidekoper as follows:
Wappocomo, w. Va, Dec. q, 1913.
Governor H. D. Hatfield,
Charleston, w. Va.
My Dear Sir On Wednesday. the
18th inst, read in various daily papers
that your secretary had announced the
appointment of Mr.. Farley DeBerry, OF
Preston county, as superintendent OF the
State Institution for the Deaf and Blind at
Romney 10 succeed Mr.. K. Carey Monta-
que, effective January lst.
The spois system is a disgrace to these
United States, and could Andrew Jackson
see 10 what depths il has sunk in this
particular State he would turn over in his
grave.
You published broadcast your statement
that you would not make any ap-
pointmentS 10 any public institutions until
you had personally visited and made
careful, thorough, personal investigation
OF that institution. You also wrote and
signed personal letters TO the same effect.
You treated Mr.. Montague as would
be ashamed 10 treat servant. Mr.. Mon
tague has devoted every energy OF Ca
pable, energetic man to his work for the
past four years. He has absolutely
changed the atmosphere at this institution
and made il what il never was before,
and never will be again as long as the
office OF superintendent is banded
about as reward for political services
received in the past or for such services
TO be rendered in The future.
You have not, or had not to the best
OF my knowledge, up to 6 p. m, yeSter-
day, December 10Th, notified Mr.. Mon
lague that the Stale did not desire his
services after January lSt. Do you con-
slider that buSineSsIike method OF pro-
cedure? do not. Nor could any other
sane man. Doyou consider such methods
OF procedure good policy or good politics?
do not. Nor would any other sane
man.
infer that you have an ambition toward
seat in the United States Senate. If
you follow these methods fear for its
successful attainment
am member OF the Republican con-
greSSional committee from this, Hamp-
shire county. Last year did all could
toward the success Of your candidacy in
the primaries as well as in the general
election in November. II you enter the
field as candidate tor the Senate ! will
strive my utmost TO influence as many
voters as possibly can 10 vote against
you.
This epistle will probably not crafty
you particularly. But on the other hand,
do not pride myself that the expression
OF my own private opinions and convc-
tionS will carry any great weight with
YOU You are the Governor OF the State
and am only an individual Republican
voter who has the interest and welfare
OF this State at heart In making this an
open letter am prompted solely by the
interest and welfare OF the State and my
conception OF the "square deal" which |
you made such an important plank in
your platform. Nothing would give me |
greater pleasure than 10 see this letter
published in every county in the State.
Mr.. Montague has not made the most |
OF his position in political way, you
may say. For that respect him. How
ever, you know, or ought TO know. that |
the Republican gubernatorial vote in
Hampshire county in 1912 was greater
than in any previous year.
Mr.. Montague has devoted every |
energy toward the efficient, economical
management OF this institution. He has
had charge OF from l75 10 200 afflicted
children, whom he has befriended and
cared for as though they were his own.
He has personally tutored three blind
children who have, pa 'sed the State Board
examinations for school teachers. Has
this been done before, or do you think it
will be done in the future by men who
are appointed in payment for political
services rendered in the past or 10 be
rendered in the future in the furtherance
of the appointer's personal political am
billions?
AS | say, have expressed only the
personal opinions and convictions OF one
Republican voter.
| am, sir, yours truly,
PRESCOTT HUIDEKOPER.
To the above letter Governor Hatfield
made the, following reply, upon which We
have no comment TO make:
State OF West Virginia,
Executive Department,
Charleston.
oath December, 1913.
Mr.. Prescott Hpidekoper,
Wappocomo, West Virginia.
Sir:-The price Of beirg Governor Of a
State often is 10 receive an erratic letter
from skunk OF your ik, backed up by
the aid of prompter who is really re-
Sponsible for its subject matter.
Your reference to Andrew Jackson
sheds little light onthe matter and leads
me TO the belief that you are skulking
wolf in sleeps clothing. You do not
give much credit TO other men or their
ability 10 successfully succeed others in
the administration OF State institutions.
The man who usually yells the loudeSt