Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-05-23
10 the voters Of west virginia:


announcement and submit my name
to the democratic voters of West Vir
pinia for the nomination for United
States Senator. 1t is to be regrett-
ed 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 the
sentiment of unselfsh dedication to
duty which now seem to be universal.
But, at least, so far as the senator
ship is concerned, there must, be
nominations made in August and
there must be an election in Novem-
Der.
| hope that / am not selfish in
ursing an ambition to serve again
1 in the Senate. have tried to con-
suit, before deciding to run, as many
party friends and public spirited
men as my time would permit. The
encouragement given that suggestion
has been very gratifying, and | can
not go further in my Investigations,
without engendering the suspicion
that want some caucus or party
gathering to agree upon me as the
candidate. Far be that from me.
Oar primary law was intended to free
all candidates from the suspicion of
secret conferences and caucuses.
believe, from what my party associ-
ates tell me, that there is some de-
mand for my candidacy. The prim-
airy law was intended also to de-
termine whom each party desires as
candidates; and have decided to SUBJ
nit my claims to the primary. Be-
fore doing this, | waited to find out
the intentions of other proinent
democrats whose names had been
mentioned in connection with this
office. Inasmuch as the southern half
of West Virginia since the year 1898
twenty-five years. has had senator
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 past
claims of the different parts of the
state, and / feel sure that my first
election to the Senate was due large
ly to this sense of justice among my
democratic brethren from those sec
tions which had been honored by hav-
ing a senator
l would like to serve another term
in the Senate in order to complete
work which | came so near accomp-
fishing. The United States owes
West Virginia about fifteen millions
of dollars. My bill allowing this
state to sue for the money passed
the Senate and was. approved by the
Judiciary Committee of the House,
but failed in the latter because it
could not secure two-third majority
to take it up out of it's order, and
it could not be reached in regular
order on the long calendar of the
House. Since | have left the Senate
the subject has not been mentioned
in that body and ] can not believe
that West Virginia wants to sur
render this claim. Whatever may be
our final fortune or misfortune in
the Virginia debt case, this large
sum, which is honestly ours, should
be recovered. l feel sure that since
it has been approved by the Judiciary
| Committee of both houses and pass
ed by the Senate, it will be eaiser
now to force its favorable considera-
ton. AS l began this undertaking,
/ want to see it through.
| would like to help the boys in
the army, their families and friends,
while this war is going on, and when
! they come home. My whole efforts
will be devoted to the winning of the
war and the care of the people and
the growing interests of West Vir-
ginia, and sincere, patriotic sup
port of the President.
Unfortunately the primary law
does not provide for any party con-
ventions in the "off years." and there
fore there will be no legal way this
year for the party to promulgate
platform of principles. The plat
platform Of principles. The platform
of 1916 is the last official declaration
of democratic principles, and upon it
we made the campaign of that year.
In its declarations fully concur. 1t
is with pride that I recall that for
every construction measure which
the party, in that platform, appealed
(and with good reason), for the APP
proval Of the electorate / voted
while member of the Senate. Up
on that splendid record Of my party