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Clarksburg Exponent
April 15, 1960

Caplan Urges Strong Drive For Victory

Former U. S. District Attorney Speaks at Marshville; Interest Grows in Presidential Race

Staff Correspondence

MARSHVILLE - The eyes of the Nation are on the Kennedy-Humphrey presidential race in West Virginia, and the fact that the Humphrey forces and the Kennedy supporters will battle it out in Harrison County was clearly evident here Thursday night at a rally of the Tenmile District Democratic Club.

In an inspiring address former U. S. District Attorney Howard Caplan of Clarksburg gave sound advice to the Democrats for this year, his speech being on counsel to all Democrats, especially as their activities pertain to the general election this fall.

But before, during, and after the dinner, the predominant question seemed to be, "How will Kennedy and Humphrey run in West Virginia?"

One of the earliest to arrive at the Marshville community building was Mrs. Beth Brod, who is in Clarksburg as a part of the staff for Senator Hubert H. Humphrey's Northern West Virginia headquarters.

As Mrs. Brod was introduced to the approximately 100 enthusiastic Democrats who had gathered for the dinner, the inquiries increased concerning the form that the Kennedy-Humphrey campaign will take here.

Near the end of the meeting, Eugene P. Foley, Humphrey campaign coordinator for this region, arrived in the meeting hall and when introduced by Harrison County Democratic Chairman Ben B. Stout, he made known that a late development in the Humphrey campaign was the announcement that Mrs. Hubert Humphrey, the Senator's wife, will be in Clarksburg on Monday, the same date that the Humphrey headquarters for Northern West Virginia will be opened at 224 West Pike Street.

"I think all of the women will be proud of the appearance of Mrs. Humphrey in Clarksburg," Foley declared. "She is modest and alert."

The announcement by Foley, a resident of Northern Minnesota, came as a surprise to even Mrs. Brod, who had arrived earlier without knowledge of the arrangement.

By coincidence, Monday is also the time when U. S. Senator John F. (Jack) Kennedy of Massachusetts, Humphrey's arch rival in the West Virginia primary, will be in Clarksburg. Kennedy will be present Monday morning for a "coffee break" session at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. County Chairman Stout told of this in a series of announcements concerning future Democratic activities.

Stout, who reiterated that the Harrison County Democratic Executive Committee is neutral in all primary races, reminded those present that the eyes of the Nation are on this area in the Kennedy-Humphrey campaign.

Chairman Stout said that a large number of newspapermen will be in Clarksburg with Kennedy to report the developments, and another large group, it is expected, will be with Humphrey for a later visit in Clarksburg.

Howard Caplan had the close attention of every person in the room as the told of the distinguished history of the Democratic Party and counseled Harrison County Democrats on their actions during the primary and general election campaigns.

"We take pride in observing that our Democratic Party is the oldest political organization in the United States," Caplan declared.

"Since it was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1792, its great slogan has been:

'Equal rights for all; special privilege for none.'

"Over the years, our party has been true to that concept, and has been faithful to the people as a whole. It is, and must remain, the party of the people.

"Our primary concern is, and must be, the vast majority of the people - those who make up the backbone of the nation.

"It has been demonstrated that when the vast majority of the people are prosperous and are living in condition of high standards, their prosperity is extended to and is enjoyed by all of the other people in the nation.

"I submit that over its long history, the Democratic Party has been much more alert and adaptable to our needs, whether they be defenses against economic misfortune, or whether they relate to the uneasy world about us.

"Before the primary, I shall not devote much attention to the opposition.

"It is sufficient, at this time, to say that they have had their chance - on the state and national levels - and have miserably failed to meet the test.

"When they came to power, they adopted and vocally supported the progressive measures and policies of the Democratic administrations. They dared not do otherwise.

"But it is clear that they have failed to go forward. They have either held the line, or slid backward.

"Their 'Me, too' or "We can do it better' pledges are unredeemed.

"They either didn't want to do it better, or they couldn't do it better.

"In November, 1960 - the people will order the state and national governments turned back to the peoples' party - the Democrats.

"Let us all know what we are running for; let us all get into the race; let us run together for a Democratic victory in November..."

Former District Attorney Caplan emphasized that it is victory for the Democrats for which he is running. The address emphasized the great service of the Democratic Party to the Nation.

"It seems to me that, this being prior to the primary, it is a good time to look to some of our Party's great and point to them with pride," Caplan asserted.

He mentioned Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and founder of the Democratic Party; Andrew Jackson, faithful and heroic public servant; Grover Cleveland, who made a public office a public trust; Woodrow Wilson, who set up the standard for the New Freedom and a program of domestic reforms; the immortal Franklin D. Roosevelt, who brought the New Deal, fought total depression to victory, fought total war to victory, and left important lasting domestic reforms; and Harry S. Truman, a great Democrat who carried out a vigorous Fair Deal program.

"To these outstanding leaders we point with pride," Caplan declared.

Chairman Stout made announcements of future Democratic gatherings.

On Monday evening, April 18, at 7:30 o'clock, there will be a meeting in the Harrison County Court House assembly room sponsored by the Harrison County Democratic Woman's Club. All candidates are invited.

At Lumberport Saturday night, April 23, a Wally Barron for Governor rally will be held in the fire hall under the direction of Max Edgell, Barron chairman in Harrison County.

Chairman Stout emphasized that 10 U. S. Senators and several Congressmen will be present for the fund-raising dinner at which Senator Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson will speak Saturday evening, May 7, in the Masonic Temple, Clarksburg.

In discussing the interest of the Nation in the West Virginia campaign, Stout pointed out that he had even been called by staff members of the Wall Street Journal concerning phases of the campaign.

Mrs. Max Parker of Salem, president of the Tenmile District Democratic Club, opened the meeting, and the invocation was by Mrs. Fannie Broadwater.

Among those Stout introduced were: Mrs. Ruth McGraw, of U. S. Senator Jennings Randolph's staff; Miss Phyllis Stealey, of Congressman Cleveland M. Bailey's staff; Rene V. Zabeau, member of the House of Delegates; Paul Kidd, member of the House of Delegates from Gilmer County, and Mrs. Kidd; Mrs. J. E. Cruise, of Congressman Bailey's staff; Robert Garrett, State Democratic Executive Committee member; Max Edgell, in charge of the Barron campaign in Harrison County; Sim Bond of the Tenmile District Executive Committee; Attorney and Mrs. Paul Poulicos; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Pendergast, Mr. and Mrs. Herschel D. Wade, Mr. and Mrs. Vias Martin, County Clerk and Mrs. Harley A. Wolfe, Grant Lawman, Mr. and Mrs. Wade H. Garrett; Louis G. Craig, a member of the House of delegates from Lewis County; Carmine Cann; Mrs. Minehart and Tommy Sharpe, representing their brother, William R. Sharpe, Jr.; Prosecuting Attorney Robert B. Ziegler; Clarence Roberts of Salem, representing Keister, associate Harrison County Democratic Chairman; Mr. and Mrs. Fitzhugh Reynolds, and Mr. and Mrs. Metz.

He also introduced Mrs. Beth Brodd of Senator Humphrey's staff, and Eugene P. Foley, also of the Humphrey staff.

"Senator Kennedy and Senator Humphrey are running in the same direction - the liberal direction," Foley declared. "If we all stick together behind our candidates, what is going to happen to Dick Nixon in November shouldn't happen to a fellow American."

The women of the Marshville community served a delicious chicken dinner, and Mrs. Barker recognized them and they were given an ovation by those present.


Humphrey Will Open Headquarters Here

Northern West Virginia Campaign Headquarters for Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D.-Minn.) will be formally opened to the public Monday evening, April 18 according to an announcement by Eugene P. Foley, Humphrey campaign coordi[na]tor for this region.

The Humphrey Headquarters will be located at 224 West Pike Street, just opposite the old Post Office in Clarksburg.

Foley is in West Virginia on leave as Legislative Counsel for the Senate Small Business Committee. He is an expert on area development and will be consulting with local business and labor leaders on this subject during his stay here.

A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Foley is a graduate of St. Thomas College at Saint Paul, and the University of Vienna in Austria.

Prior to joining the Small Business Committee, Foley practiced law in Minnesota and taught Philosophy of Law at St. Mary's College, Winona, Minn.

While in Clarksburg, Foley will be at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.


Sen. Kennedy Due To Arrive Here Sunday

Will Spend Night In Clarksburg, Meet With Party Leaders, Public

CHARLESTON (AP) - Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass) will return to West Virginia next week for a three-day tour, including his first campaigning in the northern part of the state and more appearances in southern counties.

His rival in the state's May 10 presidential preference primary, Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey (D-Minn), is not due back in the state until the following week.

Kennedy's schedule calls for visits to Clarksburg, Fairmont and Morgantown on Monday; Wheeling all day Tuesday, and Beckley, Mount Hape [sic], Oak Hill, Fayetteville, Gauley bridge, Montgomery, Charleston and Huntington on Wednesday.

He is scheduled to arrive in Clarksburg Sunday night and spend the night there, but has no appearances scheduled until Monday morning, Kennedy's headquarters here announced the following schedule:

Clarksburg - Monday, 8:25 a. m., television appearance; 9 a. m., coffee hours and meeting at Stonewall Jackson Hotel; 10:30 a.m., tour of Hazel-Atlas glass plant; 11:15 a. m., leave for Fairmont by automobile.

Fairmont - Noon, public meeting in theater; street tour after meeting; 1:15 p. m. luncheon; 2 p. m., tour of Owens-Illinois glass plant; 2:30 p. m., leave for Morgantown by automobile.

Kennedy's headquarters said details of his Monday afternoon schedule in Morgantown have not been completed. He will fly to Wheeling Monday night and spend the night there.

Also remaining to be worked out is his all-day schedule in Wheeling Tuesday. He will fly from Wheeling to Beckley Tuesday night. Following is his Wednesday schedule:

About 8:45 a. m., street tour in Mount Hope; 9:45 a. m., news conference in Oak Hill; 10:50 a. m., public meeting at courthouse in Fayetteville; 11:45 a. m., public meeting at Gauley Bridge High School; 1 p. m., public meeting at Montgomery High School.

From Montgomery, he will go to Charleston, then on to Huntington for a public meeting Wednesday evening at a location that will be announced later. He will fly back to Washington Wednesday night.


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