The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-05-26
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1916.
PARTY MEN AND PUBLIC SERVICE

According to a Democratic candidate for governor. who made a.
speech in the city of Wheeling on Tuesday evening, it is a horrible
ofense that seven State officials happen to be members of the Repub
)ican State Committee, and according to the same veracious gentle
man, the fact that these officials are members of the Republican State
Committee, constitutes a great corrupt political machine, organized
operated and carried on for the purpose of robbing the people of West
Virginia OF their property and their political rights.
How easy IT Is for men who wish to deceive themselves, to make
. mountain of a mole hill.
Here are the facts:
There are thirtythree members of the Republican State Commit
tee. Seven to whom the Democratic candidate referred to in such
opprobrious terms, do not constitute a majority of the thirtythree
They do not make up a ruling force, and in fact, unless the admins
trauono II the State otherwise commanded the support of the Repub-
icans of West Virginia, and Of the people of the State, these seven
would be absolutely helpless to influence either the Republican com
nitee or the affairs of the State.
The same Democratic candidate for governor gives a list of
prominent Republicans who attended a meeting of the Republican
State Committee at Parkersburg. and also gives the salaries which
some of them receive from the State. Without questioning the ac-
curacy Of the statement that many or all of these gentlemen were
present at the meeting Of the State Republican Committee, it might
be very properly pointed out that some three hundred other Repub-
beans from all over West Virginia were present at the same meeting,
and that the meeting in fact was "A great gathering of the Republicans
from all over West Virginia. Certainly it is a new Interpretation Of
public service that a public official is not permitted to attend a meet
ing OF his party, N to take part in its councils. If such interpreta-
ton exists anywhere, it certainly does not exist in the Federal gov
eminent now beng operated and carried on by the Democrats at
Washington. We not only see Woodrow Wilson himself setting the
example of conducting personal political campaigns. but his depart
nent heads, his cabinet officials, his appointees and subordinates in
paign not only in his behalf, but in tho behalf Of his party organiza-
ton.
Peanut polite, reaches its most contemplate limit when critics
can find nothing more serious to impute TO u State administration.
than the fact that its members continue to take a keen interest in the
welfare of the party of which they are members. From time to time,
from the mouths Of would be reformers, the American people are
treated TO a lot of hog wash about the activities of party men. As
a matter of fact, the government of this country is a party govern
nent. The great political parties are just as essential 10 the conduct
Of our government as the congress. judiciary, or executive depart
nents are. II is through the political parties that the people rule
The Republican party Is responsible for the administration of West
Virginia. The state administration of West Virginia is the work Of
Republicans, and the men engaged i'm that administration perform
their duty TO their state and 20 their party by taking part in party
councils and helping to guide party policy.
The lntelligencer has no fear that the great common sense cleo
torate Of West Virginia will be deceived by the penny pedding critics
Oft Cory Hogg type. The voters Of this state do not expect a man
10 become a political cuuuch when he takes office. On the contrary.
thcy expect him not only TO render service 10 the State. but to main
tain in a robust and dignifcd manner the political principles Of his
party organization; and % proper conception of party responsibilities
Is one OF the strongest guarantees that a public official is going 10
render conscientious public service.