The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1914-02-12
PrOgreSSiveS Declare Independ-
enCe

tive committee of the Progress
i've party at Chancellor hotel on
Saturday was especially signifi-
cant. twill probably be remem-
bered that a meeting Of the state
committe in Charleston last Sept
ember there was such an attend
ance as surprised the most opti-
mistic. Forty-two out of fifty
five counties were represented.
and many of the faithful accom-
panied their representative, so
that the convention hall was
packed and many stood on the
utsde. 1t was at this meeting,
callei b. Chairman Dawson some
time earlier rather significant
that the Progressives of the state
adopted the famous Bias reso!u
ton, whereby they declared
themselves free and independ-
ent" of the Republican party
and so strenuously did they pro-
coed upon organization that the
committe was swept Of it's own
vigol entirely of the control Of
Chairman Dawson and his friends
(the m st faithful of whom were
not p esent), to such an extent
that Ex-Governor Dawson's res
riagss.a. Sieo was readily accepted.
The meeting here Saturday was
tc begin the active operation Of
the plans outlined in the conven-
ton in September, and Chairman
Handlan and the committee were
encouraged at the meetings. sue
cess, and at the sentiment ex-
pressed. Since the September
Declaration of independence, 4"
the shrewdest politicians of the
old line have been busily engag-
ed in downing the sentiment:
first by cajolery, ridicule, temp
tation Of honor and office to the
leaders, and when they found
that to fail, to undermine the
rank and file, the impossibility
of which. however, they do not
seem to realize. The staunch sup
porters of Progressive doctrine
travel on their own initiative and
at their own expense over these
rich mountains Of West Virginia
to their meeting place, from
every corner of it, and express
such singleness of purpose, and
unanimity of sentiment and CO.
operation that IS the wonder and
chagrin of the old liners. They
could not understand it. This is
the significant part Of it: that
after all these months of misrep-
resentation by a vindictive and
hostile press and Of the intrigue
of the old time politicians, the
Progressive party in West Virgin
ia today stands intrenched and
ready for battle. AS Mr.. Bias
says, in an address to the com
mittee: eve forgot the old par
ties, let our own people know
that their rallying flag will wave
in this state, until every pledge
in the Progressive Platform is
fulfilled in this nation"
The business of the committee
transacted in executive session
will have far reaching effect,
and as a result, before the end
of next week will see established
State headquarters in Wheeling
and in four out of five congress
sional districts there will be es-
tablished Progr ssive party con-
gressional headquarters. Head
quarters for the fourth district
will be opened at an early date
thereafter,
At the open meeting Chairman
Handlan invited those present to
report the political conditions af
fecting their home neighborhood
and among those who responded
were Lew S. Keim, state COM
mitteeman from Randolph; DR..
w. j. Walker, state committee
man from Raleigh; Ira l.. Smith,
state committe from Marion, and
who is also chairman Of the First
congressional district committee
and the newly elected Progress
i've commissioner of the city of
Fairmont; E. G. Shaffer, state
committeeman from Preston
. county, and w. e. Weimer, state
committeeman from Tucker; M.