Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-04-08

poses very desirable reforms in the
registration and election laws which,
az amended by the legislature OF 1915
to permit registration on election day,
open the doors for wholesale fraud
and corruption His position as set
forth in his announcement, is sound
and In accordance with the issues OF
the party.
(Fsyette 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 Mercer-Baleigh-Sum-
mers Monroe district and although the
district was largely Republican, he
carried it by q 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 a desire to be of service
to the people OF the state. lie is a
high-minded gentleman, having the full
confidence of his people and nothing
can be said against him.
Huntington Advertiser:)
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 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 long
deadlock, a compromise was reached
by which Senator Woods was elected
president In the state senate, in his
four years of service, Senator French
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 a mag
netic personality, and is thoroughly
familiar with political conditions in
the state.
(RaIeigh 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. II 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
Blueiield committee, and although the
city had been going as high az goo
Republican, he SWING 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 Timcs:)
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 a
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. 1t 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 APP
preciated one and none of the upper
counties will be more loyal in their
support of Senator French il he be
the nominee than win Marion
(Wirt County JournaI)
Hon. d. f. French, of Bluefeld, is
the gentleman who states his desires
and defines his position in a ringing de.
elaration over his signature. which
appears on the front page of this
issue.
The Democracy of the state is to be
congratulated on having such excellent
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