West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-05-07

Does This Progressive Not es
Leo Into che Trse BY shsssss and
Neutrality-suspicious. the Real Pro-
srsssIvss TO Go on Record ~ Pro-
testing the 6strsysi
BIRDS CREEK, May I, 1914.

birds CRkEk, May \, 1914.
Editor Argus:
The joint meeting Of the Republican
and Progressive committees which was
held in Kingwood was such a bungling
affair that it is not going to fool the rank
and file of either of the aforesaid parties.
The calling Of the meeting was the handi-
work OF the Hatfield Dawson machine
through its trusty lieutenants. 1t Is the
same gang that betrayed the Progressives
in 1912, for which betrayal they have
been amply rewarded by the state admin
istration. The genuine Progressives OF
this county are not going TO recognize
the so-called Progressive committee which
was appointed by the emissaries of the
uatfield-Dawson machine. The said
committee will learn that it has no
authority to speak for the Progressive
party of Preston county. We intend to
totally ignore it.
Take Ed @. Shaffer's acrobatic tum-
bling. 1t is claimed in this section that
Ed first went to Parkersburg and voted
for amalgamation. Second, he continued
to Huntington and recanted his Parkers-
burg action and asked to be forgiven and
reinstated as member Of the Progressive
party. Third, he came to Kingwood and
voted for amalgamation. Does Mr.. Shat
ter suppose for one moment that the Pro-
gressives of this county would follow
,al,
that he is Progressive? Must they not
judge him by his actions? First, stand
patter; second, a Progressive; third, a
standpatter. Pray, what are you, Mr..
Shaffer? To what political party do you
belong? You must understand that there
is vast difference in Republication and
Progressiveness. Within the past few
years we have various kinds>of Republic.
cans who style themselves 'reactionarv
Republican" Progressive Republican"
"Lincoln Republican, and just plain
Republican for revenue only" Which
banner did you follow? II you claim allie
glance to the Progressive party you must
drop your sobriquet of Republican. 4"
There is no such thing as Progressive
Republican. You may be laboring under
the delusion that you are such an astute
and resourceful politician Care you a
protege of Dawson?) that you can de-
ceive us and lead us into the Hatfield
Dawson trap. You have worshiped at
the political shrine OF Dawsonism toe
long to get away with your latest clumsy
trick. We refuse to step into your parlor
Now, be honest, Ed, did you ever vote
for any candidate but standpat Repub.
lican? Did you really vote for Theodore
Roosevelt? Are you not the member Of
the Republican county committee fol
Kingwood district? Then why do yor
claim to be a Progressive? They are two
distinct parties. Can you serve two
masters?
Then comes the Hon. Samuel b. Mont
gomery,- who was the chairman of tn,
Republican county committee up unit
the day on which Ed G. Shaffer called
the Progressive party to meet at King
wood. Mr.. Montgomery resigned on tina
day as chairman OF the Republican com
mittee and Mr.. Shaffer had him eectec
chairman of the Progressive committee
| What farce! What a travesty on DO
litical honesty. Is not the political tricl
as thin as gossamer? Can any self-respect
ing Progressive endorse such politica
chicanery? What defense have they t.
| offer for such conduct? The Progressiv,
party was organized because the mel
who had gotten control of the Republican
party had used it to ride roughshod owe
every member of that party who failed Il
recognize them as lord and master. Nov
| an effort is being made to destroy tn,
Progressive party in this county and turn
it over to the Hatfield Dawson machine
Are you going to permit it, Progressives
III you do, you deserve only the excoria
ton and condemnation of mankind.
We have already listened too long t
ward and peewee politicians whose brea,
and butter are provided by peanut politics
Their pretended fight against the machin,
was to gain recognition at the hands O
the machine. When this recognition i
gained they are ready to betray you and
into the hands of the machine. Can the,
do it in this enlightened age? am on,
who believes they cannot. What ga,
| you, brother Progressives? JAY.
Il