Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1918-05-21
To The Voters Of West Virginia.

=
Senator. 1t is to be regretted that
we are to have campaign for public
office this year. / would surrender
any personal ambition to preserve the
spirit of patriotism, the absence of
partisan feeling and sentiment of UNI
selfish dedication to duty which now
seems to be universal. But, at least,
so far as the senatorship is concerned,
there must be nominations made in
August and there must be an election
in November.
hope that am not selfish in nurs-
ing an ambition to serve again in the
Senate. / have tried to consult, be-
fore deciding to run, as many party
friends and public spirited men as my
time would permit. The encourage
ment given the suggestion has been
very gratifying, and can not go
further in my Investigations, without
endangerng the suspicion that want
some caucus or party gathering to
agree upon me as a candidate. Far
be that from me. Our primary law
was intended to free all candidates
from the suspicion of secret confer
ences and caucuses. | believe, from
what my party associates tell me, that
there is some demand for my candi-
dacy. The primary law was intended
also to determine whom each party
desires as candidates; and | have de-
lcided to submit my claims to the pri-
mary. Before doing this, ] waited to
find out the intentions of other prom
inent democrats whose names had
been mentioned in connection with
fthis office. Inasmuch as the southern
half of West Virginia since the year
1893 twenty-five years. has had a
senator for but one term of six years
it is plain that it is behind at least
eighteen years from the geographical
standpoint of representation. Geog-
raphy is not controlling, but other
things being equal, | never doubt that
the people will recognize the just
claims of the different parts. of the
state, and | feel sure that my first
election to the Senate was due largely
. to this sense of justice among my
democratic brethren from those sec
, tions which had been honored by hav-
ing a senator
| would like to serve another term
in the Senate in, order to complete
work which | came so, near accom-
plishing. The United States owes
, West Virginia about fifteen millions
of dollars. My bill allowing this state
to sue for the money passed the Sen.
ate and was approved by the Judiciary
Committee of the House, but faileC
4 in the latter body because it could mo-
secure two-thirds majority to take
it up out of its order, and it could MOI
be reached in regular order on the Ions
) calendar of the House. Since | have
left the Senate the subject has no
: been mentioned in that body and
cannot believe that West Virgini;
5 wants to surrender this claim What
r ever may be our final fortune or mis-
fortune in the Virginia debt case, thi.
large sum, which is honestly ours
1 should be recovered. / feel sur,
+ that since it has been approved by the
Judiciary Committee of both house.
and passed by the Senate, it will bt
, easier now to force it's favorable con
! sideration. AS began this undertake
ing, l want to see it through.
n l would like to help the boys in the
; army, their families and friends, while
!, this war is going on, and when they
! come home. NV whole efforts will III b
r devoted to the winning of the war ant
|
r interests of West Virginia, and sin
4 cere, patriotic support of the Presi
t dent.
Il Unfortunately the primary law doe,
not provide for any party conventions
in the "Oif years" and therefore there
will be no legal way this year for The
party to promulgate a platform O.
principles. The platform of 1916 L
the last official declaration of demo
cratic principles, and upon it we mad,
the campaign of that year. In it
declarations | fully concur. 1t is will
pride that recall that for every con
structive measure which the party, il
that platform, appealed land Will
good reason), for the approval of tn,
L Electorate, | voted while a member O.
the Senate. Upon that splendid rec
{ ord of my party and the humble, bu
earnest, support which | gave to tn,
measures whose enactment made tina
= record, | look with pleasure. 1t i.
; the record of a leadership as wise al
it was courageous. The attacks made
t. upon it during the tempestuous day.
from March 4, 1913, to the declaration
: of the present war, have all been an
: swered by fair trial under condition.
, which beckon every patriotic either
to seriousness and candor. That rec
ord could be summed up in the wore
Justice" 1t is justice to business
justice to labor; justice to the indivi-
!. dual; justice to the corporation. II
is progressivism under the constitu-
ton; conservatism united; it is the
antipodes of graft and secret govern.
ment; the dedication to service. 1t is
the open door and the open book il
public life. 1t is the guaranteed Sc
= curity to individual enterprise for botE
capital and labor. 1t appeals to the
intelligent, honest citizen for his
greatest efficiency; and it seals bona
, tlde promise, and anchors a living
: hope, for every person who works
, That four years of achievement viii
forever be prominent upon the pages
of history and any candidate of oul
party should glory in the platform
Which enumerateS its details anC
makes it the shibboleth of party faith
| would refuse to stand upon plat.
form which apologized for Woodrow
Wilson or any OF his record. | woulC
decline an Office if there were any
conditions to its acceptance which
might commit me to any policy that
did not mean, in deed and in truth, q
faithful adherence to the principles
, and ideals which | supported under the
, Presidents leadership. We have had
recently concrete example of the vi
sion and foresight of our great leader
= Long before this war he appealed to
Congress to pass shipping bill. II
was defeated by filibuster and by the
! opposition of a handful of democrats
in the Senate. Had it been passed
) this government would have entered
this war with a Shipping organization
and a merchant marine and the people
would have been saved millions of
, extra expense which high speed en-
tails, and we would be now much near
er the goal of the national purpose
: than we are. This is not the time to
go into details, but illustrations could
! be multiplied to show that in so far as
the Congress has fallen short of the