The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-14
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D CHARLES BROOKE SMITH.

experience In both branches of the
State Legislature, and his record az
Charleston has been such as to at
tract much attention and considerable
commentator from elder party lead
ers who are unceasing in their efforts
to pick out new available material for
the party. The First district, repre-
scented as 1t is by Democrat while all
other districts and the two Senators
are Republicans, sort OF gets the goat
OF Republican leaders. 1t is the ny In
their ointment, and the one unpleasant
phase of their otherwise wholly hap.
Ply existence. They mean to change it,
ii they can, next year. Despite the fact
that Major Nicely carried it by big
ger majority than he ever carried it,
last year, the Republican leaders say
that they have the feeling that Nicely
nor any other Democrat can again
turn the trick in 1920.
To help along that feeling, they are
searching for candidate that is the
best ever, and young Senator Bloch
has been much in their eye and cou.
versation OF late. However, 1t is not
to be, it SENS. The proposition has
been put up to Mr.. Bloch and turned
down, with thanks. The report OF that
has reached here. His reasons, as
stated, are that, as the active head OF
a big business, and in view of unset
tied business conditions ensuing ate.
the war, he could not afford to absent
himself from his business to make the
race, nor TO serve in Congress at this
time were he to be nominated and
elected unopposed.
Il am very much interested in see.
ing the First district represented by a
Republican. hope that we can get
some good man to come out for the
nomination that could be elected, for
feel that next year is going to be a
Republican year and that we only
need some man who has the conf.
dence of the people and he can be elect.
ed easily in this district, for the First
is at heart and normally Republi-
can district "-friends report Senator
Bloch as saying
For a few hours last week, over-ar.
dent yet indiscreet friends at Wheel
ing had Senator Sutherland announc.
ing himself candidate for President
and Congressman M. Mansfield Nicely
announcing himself candidate for
governor. But only for few hours,
or until both heard of it, and promptly
and formally issued denials. Both
were embarrassed by the incident. 1t
was embarrassing to Senator Suther.
land in Washington, as well. He
promptly denied it here as absurd
Some of his friends do not agree with
him there; but they do agree that the
article sent from Washington and car
ried by the press association was alb
surdly written. The alacrity with
which Major Nicely jumped to a denial
OF any gubernatorial covetousness was
the more surprising. Time was-in
early 1916-when he flirted and phil
andered something awful with it. 1t
is taken to mean that the Democratic
party will have to borrow the use OF
the army draft law to get a candidate
Off governor OF West Virginia next
! year.
His friends in Washington have be-
gun to fear that the constituents OF
Congressman Wells Goodykoontz are
going to incapacite him with banquets
for the more important engagements
that wait upon him here when Con.
gress convenes. Mr.. Goodykoontz's
friends have given him one long spree
OF dinners. They don't seem to be
able to get over celebrating his cleo.
ton last November. Only day or
two ago, so wor dcomes to the Capt.
tai, his brother Masons at Williamson
gave him another epicurean bowoff
Along with the word, came copies of a
fine address on Masonry delivered by
him in compensation. Some one threat.
ems to tell Herb Hoover about 1t II ii
keeps up.