Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1918-05-21
State Committee FaVors Non Partisan
CamDdign.


The Democratic executive committee
for West Virginia last Wednesday
went on record at Parkersburg as fav-
oring discussion with the Republi-
cans of the possibilities and the prac-
liabilities of conducting non-partl
san congressional campaign IN the SIX
districts where elections for Congress
are to be held this fall. just how
much chance there is for the plan to
gothrough is question: the commit
tee represents, it was explained, the
rarity sentiment as a whole, but its &C
ton is not binding upon any indivi-
duals who may insist upon entering
the primaries.
The resolution adopted runs as fol-
lows:
Whereas, There exists throughout
the country a disposition to avoid as
far as possible partisan campaigns
among the political parties during the
war, therefore,
sBe it resolved by the Democratic
state executive committee that sub
committee of this committee, consist
ing of one from each congressional
district and the chairman of the COM
.nittee, be appointed by the Chairman
to confer with the Republican state
executive committee or sub-commlt-
tee thereof, to see whether it is practi-
cable, considering the patriotic duty
of all parties in this state, that some
plan of selecting candidates for Con-
gress may be adopted that will eliml-
nate a partisan campaign.
"Resolved That the committee Sc
lected hereunder shall report to this
committee or to its chairman its acts
in the premises not later than June IS,
1918"
The membership of the sub-com-
mittee provided for in the resolution
was named as follows: John j. Coniff,
of Wheeling; Gray Silver, of Martins
burg; ]. H. Edwards, of Weston;
George |. Neal, of Huntingdon; Char
les Osinton, of Fayetteville; DR.. L. H.
| Clark, of Kyle; and C. L. Shaver, of
Fairmont, chairman.
| A big attendance appeared at the
meeting of the executive committee
drawn, it is agreed, by the considera-
| the seriousness of administration sup
port in the elections this fall.
The resolution will be communicated
10 the CHdlfI1ldH Vi CIe IAepuUllCstI
state executive committee; and it is
presumed that the Republicans will APP
point a Subcommittee similar to that
of the Democrats for the purpose OF
the conference. These groups of lead
srs will probably meet and thresh out
the principle and the probabilities Of
the proposition. Whether it will result
in a recommendation not to contest
the campaigns of the present repre-
sentatives, or whether it will yield ar
agreement to conduct the campaigns
along lines which minimize the crit
cism of the Administration and the in.
lection of strictly partisan feeling into
the campaigns, will not be known unit
the committees meet The one object
sought is to eliminate every influence
which will distract the attention of the
people from the war and its non-parti
san support, and at the same time
not to injure the backing which the
Administration must have in Congress
These subcommittee will report
back to their executive committees fol-
final ratification Of the agreement, anC
the executive committees will then as
sumo the work Of spreading the deci
sion through the parties.