Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-08-27
Mr.. Koon1z ADDRESSES CONVENTION.

Arthur il. .Koontz, Democratic
candidate for Governor, was one
of the principal speakers in the
Democratic State Convention at
| Wheeling on Saturday, the l4th.
His speech was a short, vigorous
raisht-from-the-shou lder challenge
TO the G. o. p. Of the State. Con-
WINGED of the party's opportunity
to win this year, Democrats from
all over the State who had not had
an opportunity TO know MIR. koontz
were eager to hear him and felt
much Interested in his first utter
ancc in the campaign.
Their hopes that this first speech
of their nominee would give prom
Use of vigorous campaign for
election and fair, honest and ef-
fcient administration of the affairs
of the State after his election, were
not disappointed.
They saw in ii a vision of states
manShip that recognizes the rights
and intcsests of all elements Of the
States citiZcnship-a new state
mcnt Of that agc-old Democratic
doctrine of equal rights for all;
special privileges for none.
Mr.. KOontZ declared that neither
the group of coal operators who
have 'placcd their branding iron
on Judge T.. r. Morgan" for sign
and token that he is their candidate
for Governor, nor the larger group
of labor leaders who have "resOlut-
ed" that Samuel b. Montgomery is
their owned and tagged candidate
has any right to expect that the
rest of the people of West Virginia
are going to trust their interests i'll
such hands.
lie pointed out, and gave the his
torical proof, that class rule al
ways leads TO private warfare"
which is the peril of all free gov
eminent, and touched the high
point of his address in declaring
that mo class individuals can be
trusted to limit its ambitions or to
decide the justice of its own
grievances"
Mr.. Koontz did not in this short
speech undertake TO discuss party
principles or policies but used his
time in defining the positions oc-
cuped by the respective candidates,
insisting that Judge Morgan repre-
scented the coal operators to whose
support and active efforts he owes
whatever right he now claims TO
| the Republican nomination-a
claim strongly disputed by Mr.
Montgomery; and that Mr.. Mont
gomery is the recognized and &C
knowledged candidate of the min
ers and possibly some other labor
elements.
Defining his own position, Mr..
KoontZ said:
81 am delighted at the fact that
received my nomination at a pri-
mary and not at an auction, and if
elected it will be at an election and
not at an auction, regardless of the
fact that some of our Republican
friends appear TO be preparing for
an auction rather than an election.
IF elected, which ! expect to be,
shall be the Governor of the coal
operators and of the laboring men,
with the same sense of duty and
justice as l shall be the Governor of
any other class of people in West
Virginia who are not specially rep
resented on either ticket this year."
with leader for the nation and
each State thereof, such as we have
this year, and are fortunate to have
with us to-day, and with our work
in West Virginia what il should be
and what believe you will make
it, our State will follow the exam
pie of our nation and in November
will be counted in the Democratic
column"