The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-06-19
MONTGOMERY TOOPOOR
TO RUN FOR CONGRESS.
Prestonite Issues Statement in
Which He Says He is Not
a Candidate.

KINGWooD, June 19-on the
eve Of the Preston county joint pri-
mary, Senator Samuel B. Montgomery
issued the following statement:
To the voters Of the Second district:
My name having been mentioned
as probable candidate for the con-
gressional nomination, desire to
eliminate myself and stop speculation
by announcing that at no time have
l felt inclined to be candidate for
Congress, and will not be candi-
date.
Going to Congress has grown to
be rich mans game. AS result
this government is growing to be
rich map's government. Not being
rich man / cannot afford to go to
Congress; neither could stay in
Congress If once elected, as l am not
In sympathy with rich mans gov
.ernment.
The trend of the Second district,
and indeed the trend Of the nation.
is away from the Democratic party.
To prove this no argument is neces-
sary. Look about you. If a pro-
gressive is nominated in this district
he will be elected. II a reactionary
is nominated he will be defeated.
To my mind the election of good
and true men to the state legislature
is the important thing at this time.
Governor Hatfield is the most pro-
gressive state executive to be found
in this country today. He believes
1t to be the supreme duty of the
In hNHY,
through an enlarged measure of So
cial and industrial justice To this
end he advocates effective legislation
looking to the prevention OF indus
trial accidents, occupational diseases,
overwork and other injurious effects
incident to modern industry.
He also advocates wise and Just
laws looking to the conservation OF
the states natural resources and the
protection OF the peoples interests
in our matchless water-power sites
and reasonable compensation to the
public for water-power rights here
after.
While the natural resources of the
state should be properly developed
and generously used to supply the
peoples needs, we cannot permit
them to be exploited, monopolized or
controlled against the general good.
New sources Of revenue must be
found to carry on the splendid work
of the public service commission; to
give more generous support to the
Department of Mines and agricultur-
al pursuits, and to provide for our
institutions. This tax must not be
placed upon the farmer, the mechan-
ic and the small property owner and
business man. 1t must be provided
by the interests that have control OF
our coal, oil and gas areas and that
are now reaching out to take over
our water-power sites. Water power
is our last great natural resource.
1t belongs to the people; their rights
are supreme.
A candidate for the House of Del
declare his position on the water
power question and his attitude to-
ward the progressive program adopt
ed at Huntington in 1912, and at
Charleston in 1914, and sustained by
Governor Hatfield, is not running in
the interests Of the people.
This state belongs to the people
who inhabit 1t and not to the absent
landlords who seek to control it. It's
resources, It's business, it's instl-
tutions and its laws should be-
utilized. maintained or altered in
whatever manner will best promote
the general interest. A candidate
who does not set the public welfare
first is not to be trusted
This is progressive doctrine and
II is sound American doctrine. If 1t
develops after the primary that the
people have been caught off guard
and that the water power and kin
dred interests have nominated leg
islatlve ticket 1 reserve the right to
continue the fight.
Respectfully,
SAMUEL B. MONTGOMERY.