The Socialist Party of West Virginia had around 1200 dues-paying member in over 30 locals at its height during Debs’ 1912 presidential run and in the midst of the Kawanha Valley War. As nationally, membership would contract West Virginia at least for a time, after. Here the Party’s State Secretary gives a regular report on activity in the Mountaineer State.

‘West Virginia Socialist News’ by Edward H. Kintzer from The Wheeling Majority. Vol. 7 No. 22. August 14, 1913.

Local Chelyan has secured a meeting place for the next 12 months. Charles Jarrold, secretary, writes encouragingly of the situation there.

Local Crown Hill, Norman Atkinson, secretary, is prospering. They send for due stamps as often as any local in the state. Chelyan was “down” during the strike.

Branch Wheeling reports a successful Creel meeting. Many people understand the Socialist’s position better as a result of that meeting. Comrade Albert is very enthusiastic in the work and desires more help. Cooperation is good in the local as well as in industry. Lend a hand, comrades. Don’t be “scabbing” on your political party.

Local Fairmont anticipates organizing 4 or 5 locals in Marion county before the extra congressional election takes place.

John A. Lewis, Capon Bridge, and Charles L. Baker, Hanging Rock, are the active Socialists in their community. We now look for a local at Capon Bridge.

Rowlesburg will organize soon. Walter B. Hilton, who filled a canceled date of Comrade Goebel, reports an application for charter has been started.

Comrades Joe Gordon and Vernon V. Moss, Richwood, are circulating an application for charter. Last account 15 have signed. Richwood offers a fertile field for the development of Socialists.

Moundsville Buys due stamps. The general sentiment there is greatly improved. Comrade McDonald, the efficient secretary, is working all tile time.

Pt. Pleasant, where Chas. Mees, secretary, keeps things in trial, prepared the list of voters to be placed upon the Appeal list by the Army, and it was the greatest and best thus far received. Ekins a close second.

Comrade Nonemaker, Local Belington, sends for due stamps. Things are looking better in Berkley county.

Local Buena has made the largest purchase of due stamps in August, $7.20. Comrade Harr is the man at the helm there.

Local Miami, but recently revived, shows great activity now. Comrade Garrett requests “exempt” stamps for the comrades on strike there. That’s the way to keep the men in good standing.

State Committeeman Williams moves to hold a special meeting of the state committee on Aug. 16.

D.A. Young, Uniontown, Pa„ is assisting Morgantown to organize several spots in Monongalia county.

Local Morgantown held their annual outing and picnic at Oak Park, Aug. 2. Comrade Creel was the principal speaker. Reports from several sources declare it to have been a huge success.

Comrade Kerr, Local Shinnston, asks for a speaker and requests literature. He has been a great factor in the life of that local.

J. Vern Johnston, secretary, Local Clarksburg, returned from Atlantic City after several weeks’ stay there as a delegate to the Potters’ National convention. Comrade Johnston is organizer from Harrison county, and from now on we may look for some new locals coming into existence.

A special congressional election will be held in the First District within the next 60 days. J.B. West, secretary of the District Committee, is sending a call for time and place for

holding a district convention. Every local in the First District should elect a delegate to attend the convention.

Socialists in any unorganized community can secure Comrade Anna A. Maley, without charge, for a meeting providing an effort will be made to organize a load at that place. Address the State Secretary and bills will be sent to advertise the meeting.

The Wheeling Majority of West Virginia began in 1907 as a project of several of the region’s unions and labor federations including the Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Association, the Belmont County Trades and Labor Association, the Tin Plate Workers International Protective Association of America, and the West Virginia State Federation of Labor. Socialist Party member Walter B. Hilton edited and managed the paper eventually bringing the weekly firmly into the Party’s orbit. One of three well-established local Socialist papers in West Virginia during the 1910s, the Majority’s motto, “For Those Who Plod With Plow or Pick or Pen.” Allied with the Party’s electoralist center, the paper like so many was a victim of the Red Scare after World War One and folded on April 29, 1920.

PDF of full issue: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86092530/1913-08-14/ed-1/seq-7/