The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-05-04
tR. Ad Hall in Weston Free Press)

II We may judge from the news
paper comments on candidates.. IL is
safe 10 say that no other announce
ment for Attorney General has met
with more popular favor than has that
OF Birk Smith Stathers. OF Weston.
FROM every part of the state the news
papers have received his candidacy
win much acclaim. and this must
nave been but the echo of the approval
or the people. Despite the tendency
TO center attention OF the contests for
the nominations for Governor and for
united States Senator. there has been
much publicity concerning the Stathers
candidacy. and publicity. as every
newspaper man knows. grows out OF
the things that are doing: it reflects
public sentiment just as surely as II
helps 10 mould it.
Mr.. Stathers was born at Middle
bourne, Tyler County. July -, 1884.
When he was very young his parents
moved 10 Wheeling. where he lived
until 1897. when he moved 10 Weston.
where he has since had his home, lie
graduated from the Weston Hign
school in 1901. In the following year
be went direct To the West virginia
I niVersity. and was graduated with
the degree Of Bachelor of Arts in 1916.
year later he completed the course
IN law AZ the same Institution. recelV-
lie was admitted TO the bar in 1907
and Immediately associated himself
WIN Hon. W. ". Erannon. Of Weston
In the practice of his prOfes sion lie
not only had the advantage of associa-
tion with one of the strongest LAWYERS
In the state. bur he learned from him
how 10 win by hard application. care
ful preparation, and thorough mastery
or his case. II the school at NOrgan-
town prepared him for entrance upon
the practice Of the law. the study OF
the Law through practice has proven
the even more valuable school OF eX-
perience 10 prepare him tor practical
service To the people In just such a
position as he now seeks No man
OF his years has a more thorough grasp
Of the law as applied 10 actual
practice
Before launching his candidacy for
this nomination. the careful and a.stute
young lawyer took pains to thoroughly
sound tn sentiment in practically
every part OF the state and from
every direction there came such
encouraging word that friendly ad-
viscrs shared his belief that his nom
ination was we'll high assured Sub
segment events have strengthened the
opinion, and bon going up and down the
State such ass FRANCES have come as
indicate that he has not mistaken the
Will or the people among whom no
lives. Tn nearly every center there has
arisen some boyhood or college friend
10 take the lead in championing his
cause and throughout West virginia
there is today band Of militant young
men presenting his claims 10 the
voters. and making daily additions 20
his rapidly growing army Of support
ers. What a potent factor IN deter
mining the result Of the coming cam
paign will this virile fighting force
BE-. for all the ticket. and the more
interested will they b. 10 the party
listens 20 their call for the reasona bic
recognition which they ask Il IS
greatly 20 his advantage that Of an the
candidaies for this position. he alone
r. graduate ~ our own state Tniver.
si'y, which institution has 20 many
representative throughout these hills
and wales. who never lost sight Of their
school friends ~ youth
No sound argument can be- made In
favor 81 th" nom iration Of q candidate
than that which is based on tho united
support 81 HIS fellow parfIsans I'm tho
territory from which be- comes. FOR
that tesufes both fo the wortbiueas
~ the man. and Of 'ho deserts Of tho
community which stands urffodfv fo.
Eether Tor The common cause ~ bis