Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1916-05-09

elected, to administer the aHaiTs "
the state Strictly as business pro
position" In proposing charter re
forms he denounces the ubiquitous
Williamson ripper act. He also pro
poses very desirable reforms in the
registration and election laws which
as amended by the legislature of 19lS
to permit registration on election day
open the doors for wholesale fraud
| and corruption. His position as sci
forth in his announcement, is SOUND
and in accordance with the issues Of
the party.
(Fayette Democrat:)
Mr.. French is no stranger to the
people of this southern end OF the
state. He was elected to the state
senate in the MercerRaleigh-Sum
mers-Monroe district and although the
district was largely Republican, he
carried it by handsome majority and
made an enviable record in that body
His candidacy was prompted by the
urging of the executive committees OF
Mercer, Mcdowell and Mingo coun
ties and by desire to be of service
to the people of the state. He is
high-minded gentleman, having the full
confidence of his people and nothing
can be said against him.
Huntington AGvertiser:)
Hon. D. E. French, of Mercer county
today tossed his hat into the ring
formally announcing himself as a
candidate for the Democratic nomin
alton for governor.
Senator French was elected to the
state senate in 1910, and served with
distinction in that body for four years.
He was, in the session of 1913, when
the senate was still a tie, the caucus
nominee of the Democrats of the
senate for president of that body. His
vigorous attacks upon the course OF
the republican state administration,
however, had rendered him persona
non grata to the republican half Of the
senate, and eventually, after a long
deadlock, a compromise was reached
by which Senator Woods was elected
president In the state senate, in his
IOuI JcdIb VI cIflSOt OOAobOl
showed himself a fearless and able
advocate of democratic policies, and a
powerful opponent of the extravaganza
and the evil policies of the republican
party, which eventually brought the
state, according to it's governor, into
bankruptcy.
Senator French is amply qualified to
fill the Office of governor. is strong
campaigner, is possessed Of mag
netic personality, and is thoroughly
familiar with political conditions in
the state.
raleigh Register:)
Ability and fighting qualities are
the things it is going to take to make
West Virginia Democratic next fall,
These qualities are possessed by Sena'
tor French in large measure. In the
campaign of 1912, with the Hatfield
forces claiming Mercer county by 1900
majority, the county was swung into
the Thompson column by more than
800 majority, due to French's brilliant
stamping and leadership. He was
chairman of the Mercer county Demo.
cratic committee for eight years. He
was also chairman for years of the
Bluefield committee, and although the
city had been going as high as 500
Republican, he swung it into the Dem.
ocratic column, and held it there solid.
ly as long as he was chairman His
record in the state senate is well
known.
He is a Wilson Democrat in thor.
ough accord with the national admin
istration and its policies, and it is
claimed by his friends that should he
be nominated he would be a strong
support for the national ticket in the
general campaign.
(Fairmont Times:)
Since very early in the campaign
Senator French has been urged by his
friends in the lower tier of counties
to enter the race for the nomination
In fact he is regarded by the Demo
Gratis of Southern West Virginia as
the Moses who can lead the party out
of the wilderness and he is proclaimed
by his friends to be one of the giants
in the political game in West Virginia
No section is as enthusiastic over q
favorite as the lower county folks are
for Senator French and the endorse
ment from his home folks and neigh
bors is certainly gratifying to him
no matter how glowing he considers
his chances in the primaries. II is
always good to know that you have
such wonderful and loyal support.
In this section of the state Senator
French is best known by his record
in the legislature. He has been here
seldom and, of course, local Demo
Gratis have not had the chance to meet
him. The visit that he will doubtless
pay to Marion county will be an an
preciated one and none of the upper
counties will be more loyal in their
support of Senator French il he be
the nominee than will Marion.
writ County Journai:)
Hon. ID. E. French, of Bluefield, Is
the gentleman who states his desires
and defines his position in ringing de
claration over his signature. which,
appears on the front page OF this
issue
The Democracy of the state is to bel
congratulated on having such excellent
timber to select from in NOMINATING
the next Governor of West Virginia
and in the person of Mr.. French. theyl
have a man that measures up to the
high standard of efficiency necessary
to fill the position to which he aspires
He enters the contest In a dignified
honorable way. and his statement will
be read with much interest by our
readers, who will no doubt be Der.
fectly willing to give his candidacy