Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-03-18
STATE JOURNAL
WARNS LEADERS
stalwart Republican Paper Declares
They Are Promoting Fac
tionalism.

''In the face of the circumstances
surrounding the meetings of the Re-
publican county committees of both
Kanawha and Mcdowell counties
Saturday, how is it longer feasible
for Mr.. Hatfield and Mr.. Robinson
to deny any alliance in the race for
the. governorship? How can they
d.sclaim a combination while they
are multiplying evidences of its ex-
istenee, except through heavy over
draft on public credulity?
'In both Kanawha and Mcdowell
counties there were serious breaches
in the Republican county committees.
In both instances the splits were
due to the activities of the immediate
adherents OF Gov Hatfield, and their
desire to pass resolutions endorsing
Robinson for governor and Ilite for
United States. senator; and for the
further purpose of securing regis
trars who would serve the interests
of these two candidates.
'1n neither case did they act with
a majority of the committee, but in
both cases, usual. Illegal and unwar-
ranted methods were employed; and
faction-produeing tactics were follow
ed to gain their ends.
THE origin of the resolutions is
further betrayed by the similarity of
those introduced and passed in Nc
Dowell as compared with those pass
ed in Kanawha. The identity of the
author is almost conclusively fixed
by this circumstance alone. Both
declare that Judge Robinson is not
a 'factbnar candidate. And not
withstanding, under the immediate di-
rection of oGv Hatfield actions in
both committees proceeded to disrupt
the party organizations to secure for
Judge Robinson and Mr.. Hite com
mittee endorsement.
ut is striking commentary upon
his campaign that no such procedure
has appeared in any county where
General Lilly's friends wer in undis-
puted control of the county commit
tees. We might by way of illustra-
ton refer to the action of the COM
mittees in Ohio and Mason counties.
In those counties endorsements could
have been had for the asking and
had they been disposed Gen. Lilly's
friends could have recommended par
tial registrars. But Gen. Iillys
friends are not promoting feuds and
factions; nor are they using unwar-
ranted methods, and improper tactics
to promote his candidacy.
The State Journal is prompted by
nc partisan or faotional bent to call
attention to the situation of which
we complain. 1t has sought to be stu
diously fair and circumspect in its
utterances concerning the governor
ship and the senatorship and all 9th
er contests before the primary This
is a year in which there is not only
the opportunity but the desire for
getting together" in the party; for
the reassertion of harmony and for
the burying of factionalism.
"As we discover Gov. Hatfield in the
PEELED to express disappointment.
Tive important disclosures of the
past few days have served to larify
the political atmosphere. One is the
spectacle 20 longer capable of being
misunderstood Of the governor of
West Virginia promoting the candi-
dacies of Messrs. EIite and Robinson
from the executive offices; the other
is that it is not Gen. Lilly or his
friends who are provoking factional
factional troubles in West Virginia.
Let Republicans consider these facts"
Estate Journal Ed. 3-7-1916.)