The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-18

WASHINGTON, ID. c. Dec. 49,
The West Virginia Republican poll
tioians In Washington, including
the five members Of tho Congress
who sustained defeat, show i'm
iproyement IN morale from day Il
day, such as is said TO be happily
displayed by those who assiduous
| ~ practice NJ. coue's repititoul
"Day by day, 70 every way, I am
getting better and better" Their
, wounds are almost healed high
hope is fairly well seated in the
saddle again, and optimism is on
deck.
The mixed metaphors do not OBJ
scure the real meaning that the
party's leaders here are taking
stock Of the present political de
velopment from day 20 day, in the
light of what happened, and are
trying to look at the possible fu'
ture trend in the CLEANS from the
same illumination. What Is meant
to be conveyed Is that they have
turned their backs on the past, laid
aside their regrets, and are turn,
ing their faces to the future. They
are thinking on plans for the mex,
campaign.
, The consolation OF tho defeated
candidates is the thought that the
voters who assisted in their retire,
ment intended nothing personal
The trend throughout the country
was against thelr party, in favor
Of "a degree Of radicalism that the
Republican party does not stand
for, and that they were the help
less victims OF a condition OF public
sentiment that was beyond theft
powers to change.
Holding TO TINT view Of 1t, they
are entirely freq from the idea
that they have suffered any per
soHal population at the hands Of
la majority of their constituents
which would convince them thai
amy permanent stoppogn has beer
put to their official careers. Sc
believing, one gets the impression
by rlInYling with them, and talk
ing, with them, that It IL their pres
ent intention to carry on"
| They ,ate uR;loartedly cheered
by tho reflection aud the belief thai
their successful! oFpcnunts. most
! of them at any rate. were the lucky
heneficiarIcs Of an electoral "accl
dent" as much surprise to them
selves and their party as It was tc
anybody else. It IS argued that il
this were not true. tho Democraut
party would hevo presented more
formidable personalities as its can
didates this year, men possessed
iof the Attitudes Of character and
qualities OF ability that would make
flor the hope that, having won
Ithey might stand a fairly good
chance Of reepatIng In 1924. II Il
the cheering view taken by the
Republicans, and It Is the founda
ton upon which they are building
their hopes, that some Of the vic
tors can't "stay put" when tho spot
light Of public scrutiny plays upon
them for a two year period. An,
other one of their cheering thoughts
Is that 1t will be SO incumbent upon
the Democratic party to hand IA
! the successful congressional can,
didates for the House renomiua,
tions that It couldn't escape doIng
so II 1t were disposed contrawise.
This, OF course, Is strictly the Re,
publican view, and 1t may be &C,
copied as Numerically opposed to
the Democratic view, for\ publica,
ton. as are. say, Robert NJ. LaFol.
lette and Henry Cabot Lodge. or,
citing a comparison nearer home,
Davis~Elkins and J. Alfred Taylor
Discussing West Virginia in the
next Congress. topic rife among
the native sons here, the import,
ant position in the House, so far
rs the four Democratic representa-,
tfves from West Virginia arc con.
cerned. Is accorded by common
consent and unanimous agreement,
to George W. Johnson Of Parkers.
burg, who will represent tho Fourth
District. It is agreed by all that
his will be a position that will OF.
for him great opportunity to strive
to attain position of commanding
leadership is tho party in his etate,
So far as he Is concerned It is not
lforecQSted that lie will have ans
competition from HIS party col
leagues. Those who know Mr.. John
son attribute to him tho ability 10
take full toll from the unusual op.
portunity that will be his. II he de.
sires to do It. a lawyer by profess
sion, experienced, educated, used
to public speaking, he will be Of.