Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-06-20
publication authorized by
Campaign Committed

|
That the candidacy of Major Davis
Eikins of Monongalia county, for the
Republican nomination for United
| States Senator from West Virginia,
subject to the will of the voters in the
primary election of August 9th next,
is proving popular throughout the
state, and that this popularity. like his
popularity in the vote for delegates-at-
| large to the National Republican Con-
vention of 1916, is confined to no par
ticular section, but is prevalent in all
| the counties of the state, is manifest
| ly evident by the ever-increaslng as
surance of support coming into head
quarters at Morgantown, Parkersburg
and Charleston The Elkins candi-
dacy was the first announced, and it
| has proven popular since the day 1t
was inaugurated The campaign for
Major Elkins is being carried on ex-
clCsively by his friends, while the
candidate himself is serving the
! United States Government as Adju-
tant Major of the Thirteenth Infantry
| Brigade at Camp Macarthur, Waco,
Texas, and expecting orders at any
time to move with his brigade to &C
tive duty in France.
Brief Sketch of the Candidate.
Davis Elkins is the eldest son Of the
late Stephen B. Elkins, member of
the United States Senate for many
years and holding office at the time of
his death When the father died, GOV.
William E. Glasscock, of West Vir-
ginia, appointed this son to fill out the
ubexpired term, and, although there
remained but brief period until the
end OF the six-year term, the son as
samed, with surprising aptitude, the
duties of the high Office, exciting the
admiration and interest of many Of
the older members of the Senate
| through his readiness to grasp the de-
tails of routine, the complex rulings
of the presiding officer, and by reason
OF his intelligent comprehension Of
important measures then before the
highest law-making body of the ma
ton. Upon completing the unexpired
term of his illustrious father, Davis
Elkins became candidate before the
State Legislature to succeed his father
in Office by election. All residents Of
West Virginia will recall the memoir
able contest of 1918, when, after weeks
of labor, compromise was effected by
} the election of Gen. Nathan Golf, of
Harrison county. Young Elkins, al
though developing surprising strength
eerlv in the session, and holding it un-
til the compromise was agreed upon,
cneerfully acquiesced in the agreement
and for the sake of party harmony in
structed his supporters to cast their
vctss for Gen. Golf. Throughout West
Virginia there are many hundreds of
strong party men who yet believe that
Davis Elkins should have been the Sc
lection of that legislature for United
States Senator-the high position to
which he is now aspiring through his
ISsTty's vote in primary election.
Successful In Big Business.
Follo4ing the death OF his father,
and later the death of his grandfather
(Hon. Henry c. Davis, for so many
years the Grand Old Man Of West
Virginia'), Davis Elkins took over the
management of the two large estates,
and so signal was his success in sarge
business affairs relating thereto that
there was showered upon him the enco-
miums Of the most successful business
men of the state For several years
prior young Elkins had personal SUI
pervisioa of the Davis-Elkins devel
opment of coal lands in Monongalia
and Preston counties and in the con
struction Of the railroad that runs
from Morgantcwn to Rowlesburg, con
necCng with the B. & O. main line al
the latter point, his success in these
fields of labor also proving his re
niarkable ability as man OF business
50 thorough was his methods, 50 per
feet his system, SO remarkable his at
teution to even the smallest details
that when the United States declared
war against Germany, and Elkins Of
fered his services to his country, il
the brief space Of a few weeks he wa,
able to turn over all his vast bushes;
interests to other managers and take
up the work Of the government with
cut further thought or concern for tht
success of his varied enterprises. The
phenomenal development of coal lands
in Monongalia and Preston counties
7 the completion of the railroad from
, Morgantown to Rowlesburg, the es
Enlistment Of numerous business en-
terprises in his home city Of Morgan
town, all stand as monuments to hi
ability. While many men of grea
means in West Virginia could, if neet
be, close out all their holdings ana re
tire from the state wishin periods 0
a few weeks or a few months at most
their inyestments represented in col,
cash, it is estimated, by those in posi-
ton to know, that the Dayis-Eli1iGs in
terests ia West Virginia could not b
closed out in ten years witsout srea
less to The investors These interest
ara not Of lie nature that may b