Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1926-07-21
COL. PENDLEToN ENDORSES
DOWNEY
Editorial from the Berkeley Springs
News of July 15.)
Smell Rat
l Smell a Rat.

At last the friends of Mr. Cleve-
land Seibert are out in the open and
we know now who are to be the Dem
ocratic candidates for Judge next
fall. 1t is to be regretted that the
party in this district has not centered
on one man. every vote will be need
ed to elect Democrat and this is no
time for Democrat to falter. Weeks
ago We had positive information that
Mr.. Seibert would be a candidate,
before then we knew that Mr.. w. w.
Downey was a candidate for the
nomination. but refrained from sta
ting to the people Of this county
where we stood. II is perfectly true
that the News is very small pebble
on the beach, but the time is here for
us to get Off the fence and declare
ourselves. We ask every friend we
have in the county to support Mr..
Downey, and please understand in
doing so we are not saying anything
against Mr.. Seibert, he is an amiable.
kindly gentleman. of an old and
much respected family of Berkeley
County, a well known state wide
lobbyist. He is so smooth and gentle,
always the gentleman-that he can
walk politically speaking, on eggs
laid in his path from Martinsburg TO
Charleston and not crack one. In
this issue we print card signed by a
number of Democratic lawyers of
Martinsburg recommndineg the nom
ination Of Mr.. Seibert. A glance over
the names will show that the cor
poration lawyers of Martinsburg are
largely the signers, on the other hand
the Democratic war horses are equal
~ as strong in the support of Mr..
j Downey as the peoples candidate
You don't find their names on any
card--there is no necessity, we all
know them and where they stand
This county is practically unani-
nous for Mr.. Downey. There may
be man in the woods somewhere
who is supporting Mr. Seibert, but if
there be such a man, we have not
The pressure that was brought to
bear on some of these signers to. en-
dorse Seibert, is known to us and It
comes direct from the law depart
ment Of great big railroad.
| Mr.. Downey is member of an
equally well known Berkeley County
family, is President of The Bank Of
/ Martinsburg, successful financier
and business man, is the son Of a
Presbyterian Clergyman and for
years. years we think-state's at
torney for the good old county of
Berkeley. Who fears him? Is 1t
possible the corporations are his only
opponents? The hand writing is on
the wall. 1t is going to be Downey
In the primary and some gentlemen
VIII have to eat crow at the general
election.
GOD bless the King--I mean the
faiths defender!
God bless--no harm in the bless
ing-the pretenderl
But who pretender is, or who is King.
God bless us all!-that's quite an
other thing"
1t is difficult to surmise what was
in the minds of these learned and
distinguished gentlemen as thew
signed the Round Robin for they
only recommend" Mr.. Seibert to
the Democratic and independent vot-
ers of the district, not a reason do
they give-only recommend.
/ In this connection we are remind
ed of famous Virginian of years
ago, of whom, as he concluded his
| argument in legislative body on
| pending legislation, he pointed his
finger at an opponent and said "Siri
/ smell rat" political Adv