The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1916-11-24

onfaoo rooulcnx In Governor A. b. white
appointing him on the Board VI ReAsnts
Of ths W. Va 9. 1. in Novembsr of that
ysar. He was rrappoinsed by Governor
W. ~. o. pswson, ssrvinR fiS- years or
until he leeislasure pss the management
of Ill seass inseisusions under the Board
Of Control.
In 1919 Mr.. Harper entsred the pri-
mary - . candidAee for commitreeman
as-larKe on the Republican state central
committee There were fve or kiy other
esndidssss, Harper receixine more than
5000 Republican votes leading all other
candidates BY several thousand.
Mr.. Harper has attended most of the
coonty, congressional and state convsn-
siUus - = dslsgsse for the past 20 years
and is well known by the leading public
men of the stase. He has engaged in
many hard political battles hut hiss the
reputation ot lighting fair. He announc-
ed himself . candidate on the Republi-
can ticket for the House of Delegates
prior 70 the June primary. There were
six whites and one colored Republican
candidates besides him with four plsces
70 Gil. He was one OF the four success-
full candidates, running ahead of three
white men and one colored man, tie
nearest Of VIII I'm WAS about 1000 vots-
behind him.
During the rs years that f. II Harper
has been active in the politics OF Mellow
ell county he has built mp . reputation
Tor absolute honesty, square d~aling both
with his political associates and tn.
mssses and his worst enemy will not
charge him with beng q political bood-
Ter or CRATER. He has never been even
accused by his political oppooen,s with,
''selling OUT himself or attempting T.
cell his followers. Gen. Edward O'Tcol
OF Gary, general manager of the twelve
coal operations Of the United States Stes
corporation in this county, said in in
Producing Mr.. Harper 70 an audience of
more than loco people: 81 am for him
for the Legislature not alone because he
is Republican, but becsuse it q said of
him that he cannot be bought" and it
is that reputation ard the fights which
he has made for his race and the Re-
Publican party thai has made him one
OF the strongest men with the people in
the coun9. y man whom slander, abus
and villification has not
weakened but strengthened with his
people.
During the recent primary campaign
he was the worst abused man in the
oounsy and come Of the moo rndszasnd-
I'd political schemes were used by HE
enemies to defeat him for the nomination.
but their efforts were fruitless becaus.
the great mass of people knew him and
had confidence in his integrity and ability
WELL FINED.
In this worlds goods Mr.. Harper i.
we'll fixed. He ownes and operates n
line farm Of about 5O' Acres in Tazeweli
county. Va. another highly improved
farm in Kahawha county, w. Va, and
has the finest home in this city and much
other property scattered around. A con-
servstive estimate places his wealth nj
approximately 100000, therefore neoes-
slry would never tempt him ~ sell hi-
vote while in the legislature.
WORTHY REPRESENTATIVE.
Not only are the Negroes Of Mcdowell
county but of the entire state and ma
ton interested in the kind OF members of
the rsce placed in positions OF honor and
trust because the mistakes and crooked
ness of one 10 charged To the account Of
sil and since rhis 10 the first time q Ne
gro has been 90 honored by the elector At.
OF Mcdowell county it 10 we'll that the
Negroes selected one Of Howard Har-
Rrs character and standing He will
make . worthy legislator who will he
credit 10 the Republican party and an
honor 10 his rscs, and Of him the 6. 3S2
men who honored him with their suff rage
will have nothing to be ashamed.
The race made by him wss in many
respects . remarkable one. He vas the
Negro 70 seriously aspire TO the isgis a.
-~%s"- - NffNS'@ W sptttr Oh Tie
leading and most iDfiuentizi Republicans
in the county and some Of the richv-,
men in southern West Virgins, but lev
10 any Of thee men opposed him hecsu.e
OF his color, their opposition vas person.
al and political instead Of racial. He re>
cssved 6.36z votes while his nearest Dem
ocrstic competitor wss 2,5II votes be-
hind. Mr.. Harper will be the fr-t Ne
gro 10 20 the legislature from Mcdowell
county, and the only one 10 sit in the
Lac making body since Attorney ~
Ellis sat there In lsS.
The Negroes Of West Virginia have
been extremely careful OF the kind of
members Of the race ssnt % the Hou-.
Of Delegates. Dr @. n. Payne vas the
6rss Nesro 10 serve in that body, repre-
sentins Fsyette county. Dr. Payne j.
nov q. ;. consul &C -. Thomas, Danish
West Inds-. Prof. n. "a. Raiiey req
resented the same county after DR.. PAYNE
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