West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-01-08
wappocomo, w. Va.
Dec. u. 1919,

Dec. n. 1913.
Governor III. ID. Hatfield.
Charleston, w. Va.
My Dear Sir:-On Wednesday, the IL,
inst, ] read in various daily papers that
our secretary had announced the appoint
ment of MIR. Farley DeBerry, OF Preston
county, as Superintendent OF the State
Institution for the Deaf and Blind ut Rom
ney to succeed Mr.. X. Carey Montague,
effective January LIST.
The Spells System is a disgrace to these
United States, and could Andrew Jackson
see TO what depths it has sunk in this
particular state he would turn q in
his grave.
You published broadcast, your state
ment that you would not make any APP
pointments to any public institution until
you had personally visited and made a
careful, thorough, personal investigation
OF that institution.
You also wrote aud signed personal
letters to the same effect.
You treated Mr.. Montague as / would
be ashamed to treat a servant. Mr..
Montague has devoted every energy of
a capable energetic man to his work for
the past four years. He has absolutely
changed the atmosphere at this Institution
and made it what it never was before,
and never will be again as long as the
Office OF superintendent is banded about
as a 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 6p. IN. yesterday,
December the Goth. notified Mr.. Montague
that the State did not desire his services
after January LIST. Do you consider that
a business like method of procedure2 Do
you consider such methods OF procedure
good policy or good politics2 l do not.
Nor would any other sane man.
/ infer that you have an ambition to-
ward a seat in the United States Senate.
II you follow these methods / fear for its
successful attainment. T
L am a member OF the Republican
Congressional Committee from this.
Hampshire county. Last year | did all 1
could toward the success of your candi-
dacy in the primaries as we'll as in the
general election in November. II you
enter the field as a candidate for the
Senate will strive my utmost to influence
as many voters as | possibly can to vote
against you.
This epistle will probably not crafty
you particularly. But on the other hand.
do not pride myself that the expression of
nv own private opinions and convictions
will carry any great weighs 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 p
letter am prompted solely by the interest
n welfare of the state and my concep.
ton of the Square Dear' which you
made u an important plank in your
platform. Nothing would give me greater
pleasure than to see this letter published
IN every county in the state.
Mr.. Montague has not made the most
OF his position in a political a 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 manage
ment OF this institution. He has had
charge of from l75 to 200 afflicted child
ren, whom he. has befriended and cared
for as though they were his own. He
has personally tutored three blind child
rem I'M have passed 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 furtnerance
OF the appointer's personal political am
billions?
As | say l have expressed only the
personal opinions and convictions of one
Republican voter.
am, Sir, yours truly,
PREscorT HupEKoPER.