The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-10-04
Non-Partisan Political
Boss Crowded Out His
Candidate
MANY DENNIES THERE
Keeney Tells About Ap-
peal for Aid From
Brooks Fleming

An audience that completely flll.
ed the first floor and half Of the
balcony OF the Grand Opera House.
more than half OF them Democrats.
assembled Saturday night to hear
the issue of the campaign discussed
by Samuel B. Montgomery. candl-
date for governor on the Non.PartI-
san ticket The meeting had been
advertised to be held at the court
house. but the weather proving too
cold for an Oudoor meeting and no
other hall large enough beng avail
able, the theatre was secured.
Frank Keeney, president Of Dis
trict No. IT, United Nine Workers
of America, was the first speaker
announced. Mr.. keeney began
speaking at $40. AT 9:25 he ceas-
ed and Mr.. Montgomery was accord
ed the privilege OF the floor, speak
ing until 10 o'clock.
Most OF Mr.. Keeney's REMARKS
were directed at The West Virgin
Ian on account OF an editorial
which appeared in a recent issue.
charging him and Fred Mooney
Montgomery to further their owl.
selfish ends. After he had talked
for upwards OF half hour, without
touching on any subject but Frank
Kceney, the audience begnn to SHOW
signs OF umpatience. Watches were
openly -couGillted- by those sitting OIL
the stags, eyeh BY the candidate
himself, who is said to have had
very strenuous week. But Keeney
was In the saddle and would not
be unhOrsed by any such delicate
hint. An hour had passed when Two
of the committee on the stage were
seen to get their heads together, af.
ter which they wrote something in
u notebook and left the stage.
I'm bet he's gone to fix up a fake
telegram to call Keeney homo,
hopefully observed q man from Mo-
nongah, who wished TO catch tho
10 O'clock car. The man said he
had known Sam when he worked IN
his home town, and was anxious to
hear him talk.
The only direct reference to the
pending campaign made by keeney
had only local significance. Speak
ing OF the high regard in which he
is held in the community, he stated
that the other day, Brooks Flem-
ing, Jr., had called him on the phone
in Grafton and asked for his support
In his campaign tor member or the
board of education, of Fairmont in
dependent district.
MIR. Montgomery made d stirring
address but was vtsibly tired, ms
voice at intervals showing Abe
strain under which he has been
working. He made the claim that
he had been given an unfair deal IN
the primaries and cited numerous
instances here he said he had proof
OF having been robbed Of votes. He
said, hoover, that he had been treat
I'd fairly in the city Of Fairmont.
Speaking OF conditions In the
Southern coal fields, he laid THE
troubles at the door OF Governor
Cornell and promised to remedy
such conditions II elected.
Many of the audience had already
left TO catch the various interurban
cars before Mr. Montgomery began
and many more kept leaving while
he was speaking, for the same lea
son, so he did not long continue but
brought his remarks to close az
ter having talked about thirty-hVe
minutes.
Keeney's monopoly Of the best
part of the evening was the sub
feet of much unfavorable comment
after the meeting and yesterday, by
many who had gone to the meet
ing to hear the candidate for gov.
ernor. Yesterday Montgomery and
Keeney both spoke at Monongah.
Montgomery got more time at this
meeting. but Keeney made positive
" the same speech he made Satur-
Gay night.
Democratic local leaders wero
spying around the rear OF the crown
IL. Il Ian n
antly surprised at the large number
of Democrats present at the meet
ing. One very we'll known Demo-
cratic leader declared during the
meeting that on the basis OF tho
showing at the meeting here we're
moro Montgomery Democrats than
Montgomery Republicans.