The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-02-05

Col. ii. d. Thomas, OF Mercer coun.
ty: is going to enter the June primary
as candidate for West Virginia mem
her Of the Republican National Com
mittee. He&isf an out and out candi-
washington heard that news from
M less an authoritative source than
Thomas himself. He7wants the honor
and he is going after 1t, and he says
that he will 20 after IT. with all the
vim and yigo. that fills his to com:
mand. And for the benefits Of those
who do not know Col. Thomas. let 1t
be recorded that when 1t comes TO vim
and yigor. he has 1t in large and luc-
fous quantities. gl.s. /
coo1 operators in the Norfolk and
western section. He employs men by
the thousands and Is such q demo-
cratic Individual that he knows every
man he employs from mine supertn.
tendent to trap boy. He has been a
lifelong Republican and an active
member Of his party, welding q pow
e-ful influence in the councils OF his
marty. But he has never been can
'didate for public Office or party hon
or. He has been content all these
many years to let others take such
things. But change has come over
him now. as to that sort Of thing, and
col. Thomas thinks that he would
ike 10 have, and that his party serv-
ire entities him to such an honor as
ia connected with being member OIL
the governing body Of the Republican
party - the National Commlttee.
Therefore, he Is a candidate Tor Ma
tional Committeeman, and Will pre-
sent his name to the Republican VoI-
ers of the state who will settle that,
and. other matters, In the primary
election to be held next June.
Col. Thomas is going to make a an
active campaign for this honor. ne
told his Washington friends tnat To-
day, and asked for their help he IS
going right to the people with ms
aspiration, and lay the matter oetore
them in very frank and matter;ot-
fact way. That is his way OF DONG
things, and that is the way ne pro-
noses to do this thing. He wants tne
| honor, believe that he has goou
case to present to bolster up MS am
Ebttion, and is going to 1t" with ae'
ttermfned purpose and earnestness. =,
Col. H. D. Thomas is not very wen
known to the state at large as POI
iitician. nor even as a businessman:
Yet, In the Norfolk and Western re:
gion. he is well known as potential
and powerful factor both in public
affairs and commercial life. He IS the
dominant parsonage at the head OF
numerous extensive mining opera
lions, and ista rich man.: At the same
thine, he is very democratic man,
personally very genial and ikeaple
man.
The present member OF the Repub'
lican committee from West Virginia
| is Hon. Virgil Highland, of Clarks'
/ burg. It has been accepted as mat
ter of couse that he would, be a can
didate in the primary to succeed him
self, and it was beginning to pc
thought that he would be unopposed
However, Col. D. H. Thomas an
nounce that he is a candidate, insures
a contest, and may mean, too, that
there will be other aspirants IN the
ldeld before very long.
The position Is one that has mani
fold attractions. AS tsrictly party
honor there is nothing to compare
with being national committeeman
and under favorable conditions, its
influences is as great as its financial
recommendations are negligible.