Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-07-16
DR.. Hodges Accepts Nomination.

DR.. Thomas E.. Hodges, president OIL
the West Virginia University, who was
nominated a few weeks ago by the
Democrats of West Virginia as their can
didate for Congressman-at-lar IRON
this State, has formally accepted the CAL
OF his party and will make the light. he
has sent the following letter to Hon
Thos. S. Riley, of Wheeling, chairman Of
the notification committee:
The telegram of your committee noti-
fying me OF my nomination for the olilce
of Congressman at-large by the Demo
cratic State convention at Parkersburg or
Iuue "a, 1914, was promptly received
Later your very kind letter conveying
The same information in more lorna
way was received.
At the outset, wish to express to YOU
committee, and through you TO the great
body of Democrats throughout WesI
Virginia, my heartfelt appreciation d
the signal honor conferred upon me
As YOU know, this nomination was I'M
sought and indeed many strong soiclta-
lions TO allow the use OF my name as
candidate were refused by me. | hac
hoped that these, together with my pub
lished statement would be sufficient tc
keep my name from being placed before
the convention However, the con-
vention took a different view, and not
withstanding my repeated retusals anc
without any assurance from me, or knowl-
edge that | could accept, nevertheless
proceeded TO draft me as its candidate
This, of course, makes the honor only
the greater, and places me under ar
obligation to the convention and to the
party in the State that can not be lightly
treated.
To give up my work at The University
TO which am much attached, and which,
believe, have been doing for the past
three wears with at least some results In
the line OF progress, requires OF me nc
little sacrifice. | am frank to say that SC
far as my personal inclinations are con-
cerned, | would be glad to have escaped,
for was entirely sincere in every re-
fusal TO be considered as candidate.
have delayed making decision be-
cause OF the very many questions thai
try to discover my duty. ] must say
however, that in it all have been unable
TO escape the conviction that the spon-
taneouS action OF the convention is CAL
TO service that, whatever might be my
inclinations, | cannot ignore. Therefore
have decided that il is my duty TO lay
aside my present work and accept Inc
call.
may add that in making this decision
have the approval of many dislnterestt-
ed friends whose advice | have asked,
and in whose judgment have the great
est confidence.
II may be said that am laying aside a
work which is IN the interests OF all the
people to take up another which is in the
interests OF but part OF the people, one
political party. In reply TO this. i can
only say that, believing as | do IN the
traditions, history and principles OF my
party and believing further that the a6ill-
ty. genius and courage OF President
Woodrow Wilson in guiding that party
into the enactment OF legislation which
embodeS these principles and presents
them in full alignment with the pro-
gressiye spirit of the day, in advocating
them am serving not only a part, but
the entire people.
| fully realize that in accepting this
nomination am not now accepting an
office, but campaign. This campaign
am ready to devote my best efforts. The
result rests with the people.
Again thanking your committee and the
convention, am,
Sincerely yours,
THOMAS E. HODGES.