-
EPILOGUE
- West Virginia University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
EPILOGUE "] assure you it is no soft snap to be Governor"l THE GOVERNOR'S LEITERS AND PAPERS declined drastically in volume during the winter of 1912-1913. The industrial problems in the Kanawha Valley did ease up during January 1913, only to worsen in February. During the legislative session of 1913, Glasscock saw several good pieces oflegislation enacted in addition to the election of a Republican to the United States Senate. Nevertheless, he looked forward to March 4, the expiration of his term of office. He expressed his feelings about the position of governor to a cousin: I assure you it is no soft snap to be Governor, and I am glad that the 4th of next March will relieve me from my present duties, and if I ever get into another position it will be after I have forgotten the trials and troubles and tribulations of my present administration.2 Governor Glasscock never forgot. On March 4, 1913, he declared himself the happiest man in the state, because he was now relieved ofthe arduous duties associated with labor and political strife. Upon retirement, Governor Glasscock resolved not to play an active role in state politics again, except to go as a delegate-at-large to the Republican Convention held in Cleveland in 1924, where he supported the vice presidential candidacy of Charles G. Dawes. Otherwise, he mainly kept his selfimposed promise, satisfied to observe on the periphery, offering advice and counsel when asked. Glasscock to Mrs. R. A. Phelps, 26 August 1912, Glasscock Papers. 2 Glasscock to Mrs. R. A. Phelps, 26 August 1912, Glasscock Papers. 192 EPILOGUE Financial problems also preyed on the governor's mind as he stood before the crowd of well-wishers watching a new governor sworn into office. He had previously written to his brother in Bellingham, Washington: I am in receipt of your letter of the 18th instant and wish to the bottom of my heart that I could accept your invitation and spend a few weeks with you, but I cannot do so. I am in such financial condition that it is impossible for me without doing an injustice to my family to take any vacation at this time. I have spent four years of the best part of my life trying to serve the public, and at a great financial sacrifice. I have paid no attention during that time to my financial affairs and they are now in such condition that I must now look after them, and for that reason I feel that I must get back to Morgantown as soon as possible and get to work. My term of office expires next Thursday, and by the latter part of the week I intend to be in Morgantown, and in less than two weeks from the time I am writing this letter I shall be found in my office trying to take up where I left it more than four years ago. For many years I made considerable money and ifI had kept out ofpolitics would now be in an almost independent position, but as it is I can see nothing in the future but hard work and economy. During these last four years I have contracted some debts that must be attended to, and I have no hope of a vacation this year, and by-theway , I got none last year either. I thank you very, very much for the invitation and if it were possible for me to do so I certainly would accept. I would like to go away from home for a while and be entirely free and independent, but as stated above it is impossible for me to do SO.3 During his stormy tenure in office, Glasscock experienced intense anguish, not to mention excruciating pain. Evidently, the governor's frustrations with his inability to solve certain problems resulted in physical ailments. These, in turn, incapacitated him, leaving their marks for life. His close friends reportedly stated that the beleaguered former governor never completely recovered from the stress ofhigh office. His daughterin -law, Mrs. William E. Glasscock, Jr., commented that in his later years his knuckles and feet were misshapen and his bodybent forward when he walked. Glasscock suffered severe pain, but he was always "kind and courageous" and devoted to his family. With 3 Glasscock to S. A. D. Glasscock, 25 February 1913, Glasscock Papers. 193 [18.234.165.107] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 13:05 GMT) EPILOGUE his son, who was...