The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-25

.. w ASE1lkNkT in bs We, ~ ! S'' Fl"
1t matters not how the voters OF the
Second district may look upon the con.
test over the vacant seat OF Junior
Brown, the fact Is that the politicians
in the Nations Capital rcgarl IL as
a battle OF national Importance the
outcome of which will affect III a most
significant way the political temper
and sentiment of tho country. With
that fact clearly established in their
minds the parties are going TO grips
in the Second district for q fight 70
a finish on national issues, and the
finish will not be reached until the
polling places shut down ut sunset
May 9, and the count begins.
The Republican National Congress
,sional Committee, with Headquarters
in one OF the big business buildings
here, las a trained eye and n firm
hand on the Second district situation.
Representative Frank Wood. of Iowa,
who is tho ltvc-wire chairman OF the
committee, hasn't a great deal to
learn about party affairs in the dis
trlct. He has daily been in touch with
them, and studied them, since the
wealth of Mr.. Brown made special and
an carly campaign inevitable. Ghair-
man Wood wants the party to win back
the Second district, and he wants moth
ing more just now quite so much as
a victory for the party and lis car0i-
date, Hon. George NJ. Bowers. II ne
gets it-and he believes he will-theh
it is going to havc a most heartcnlNs
effect OF. the party in a national way
and can be pointcd'to as a straw whlch
shows that the political wind is blow
in gthe ship of the Grand Old Party
back into the harbor Of government
control, 1t will be interpreted. as II
should be, as Indicating that the lte'
knublican claim that they viii carry
the next House OF Representatives
has foundation, and that the sentl-
inent of the country is. as they say
it is, In the direction Of their party
That being the case, the national COM
mittee Is going to back up the con-
pressional committee, OF which cX'
Senator Grimes. of kcyscr, Is the CT
~ficient head, with all its available re-
sources.
Blowing the froth off the situation
in tic Second and getting down 10 the
amber OF it, the present contest Is y
between The two old parties rather
than between personalities. II Is q
irht between the parties for Il Stratc'
ric nosition that each side believes !"
necessary to 1t before the big spring
drive IL launched which will continue
through till November when greater
stakes arc to be worn or lost, EaeWeu
from that anglc-aal that Is, nuHcI
The proDer one from which to vie" u
there hasn't been 80 vitality import
ant a political battle staged in the
state for years. Republican success
-thp victory of Hon. George NJ. low
crs by n substantial majority~-wll NC
herallL,li broadcast as h reputation o.
tho party in power; should the result
he contra wise, II will he hcralded JuSt
ias widely MS a vfndicatton OF the WI
son administration. The effect oi INC
ballotinr on May . on the national
situation on tile eve OF II presidential
lcampaign, will not fail to Impress OIL
lthn Second district as important
The nomination OF Hon. George NJ
Rowers by the Republicans at BerKe.
ltev Strings at one Of tho best. most
harmonious and most representative
Conventions ever held in the district,
has met with approval everywhere, nc.
cording to reports that have come
here, IT. is conceded that he was on.
titied 10 the nomination. now ina
the marty is reunited and it looks llke
a Republican year. He made a great
race before against heavy odds in me
shane OF divided party. HIS deteai
was accomplished only with the aIu
If n Progressive party candidate ne
would have won easily otherwise us
fine vote OF 1914 shows. This year that
Candidate. Hon. Noah Keim, OF Elkins.
is back in the Republican fold, and IS
for Col, Bowers. Like Sam Montgom.
ery. Senator Forman and others at the
convention, he stood before the en-
thusiastic delegates and pledged ms