The Washington herald., 1914-06-01
Political Procession.
- y. .. g.


johnson N. Camden. who ID to be an
pointed to hll the unexpired term pf the
late Senator Bradley. of Kentucky will
be the second Of the Camden name to
achieve Senatorial honors, and his selec-
ton by Gov. McCreary u very much
commended, not only by other Kentucky
Democrats now doing business In WASH
ington. but by Democrats from West
Virginia to whom the name Of Camden
Senator Camden 10 really counted q son
Of West Virginia although he has lived
many years in Old Kentucky. following
his marriage to Miss Hart In the famous
town Of Vernailles, the old home Of Joe
Blackburn, long a Senator from the
Blue Grass Commonwealth. The first
Senator johnson N. Camden was rug
ged, notable figure in Western Virginia
before the war brought about the or
ganization of West Virginia as q separate
State. He was born In Lewis County.
now the southernmost county Of the
First Congressional district, and the
home OF Louis Bennett, a notable Demo-
cratic figure in the present organization
Of West Virginia.
The elder Camden had an early ambf-
ton to be q soldier and was sent to West
Point. but resigned after two years, see
ing no conflict In sight and took up the
law. He had hardly graduated before
Braxton County. near his old home.
was appointed.
A year later ne was elected as prose-
cutor for the adjoining county of Mich
olas and then for few years gave up
politics for the more profitable PROPOSE
tion of opening up oil fields and made his
home at Parkersburg. on the Ohio. He
|. rich without losing a grip on things
poutcal and In 1858 the despairing Dem
ocrats Of the new State wanted q man Of
the Camden wealth and vigor to be the
candidate for governor. He was nomi-
mated but defeated. and the performance
was repeated In 1877
Meantime he kept on piling up the
kopecks and bolstering up the Demo
cratic organization. until in 1881 he was
given a full term in the Senate. Less
than six years after that term expired
he was again Senator by appointment to
the vacancy caused by the death of
Kenner. and served a month over two
years He had been a notable figure In
Democratic National Conventions. and
was frequently suggested for high Cabi-
net honors, but always preferred the
Senate or honors from his own State.
He died in 1905 a month over eighty
years of age.
JOhusOn tdHlucu. Is NOT yct Hitys
and since settling In old Kentucky has
modestly aided the advancement of things
Democratic, and without OVERRIDING II. He
appreciated the Kentucky loyalty to
native-born Democrats. and didn't crowd
things In fact, the Camden modesty
and soft pedal participation in the Demo-
cratic operations Of Kentucky endeared
him to the party leaders and had much
to do with the very general approval OF
his selection for the Senate by Gov. Nc
Creary.
The new Senator Camden may give his
occupation as farmer when he takes hold
on Capitol Hill. and he is proud of the
most beautiful farm in the Versailles
vicinity; but he Is also connected with
many big corporate interests. including
partnership with Senator Clarence w.
Watson. Of West Virginia. in gigantic
coal operations. not only in West vir-
ginia, but in old Virginia and Kentucky.
The lamented John c. Mayo was also
a partner in the combination, along with
the Hon Campbell Bascom Slemp, the
lone Republican Congressman from old
Virginia No one will rejoice over the
appointment of the second Senator Cam
den more than Senator Watson, of Cam
denis home State. and the one regret
will be that they are not doing business
as Senators at the same time. West Vir-
ginia Democrats coming to Washington
will look upon johnson n. as almost a
Senator from the State of his nativity,
and he will be proud of the compliment
His selection is looked on as good poll
tics, and possibly is favorable to the am
bition of Gov. McCreary for a full Sena-
torial term, but 1t works no harm to
other candidates, and all is happiness.