GOVERNOR WILLIAM GLASSCOCK AND PROGRESSIVE POLITICS IN WEST VIRGINIA

CHAPTER FOUR Settling Into Office

c H A p T E R F o u R SETTLING INTO OFFICE " ... the fellow who has the longest pull and the biggest influence 'knocks the persimmon!"'l A AILING GLASSCOCK RETURNED TO MORGANTOWN for a short period of recuperation. While an exhausting experience for the delicate governorelect , it was rewarding; he had participated in the state government from top to bottom, an activity on which he reflected at home. The time to recoup his strength soon ended, however, as plans were made for his inauguration in Charleston. This led to a hectic period of preparations for the return journey to the state's capitol, an attractive city between the Great Kanawha and Elk Rivers, and the lavish reception site for the inauguration of West Virginia's thirteenth governor. Governor-elect Glasscock left Morgantown by train on March 2 in order to arrive early for his inaugural. The State Geologist, Dr. I. C. White ofWest Virginia University, and M. L. Brown, a close friend and cashier of the Bank of Morgantown, accompanied him. Traveling on a later, special train which took them from Morgantown to Charleston, his wife and friends took the most practical form of transportation, minutely described by a local newspaper: Every seat is reserved in the special chair car, chartered to convey a party of Morgantown and Fairmont people to Charleston for the inauguration. The special car which will arrive from Connellsville shops tonight will be attached to the regular train leaving here at six o'clock tomorrow morning. At Clarksburg the car will be transferred to the main line and attached to the morning express bound for Parkersburg. There the car will be switched to the river side of the city and continue to Point Pleasant over the Ohio River branch of the B. and O. W. E. White to Glasscock, 16 November 1908, Glasscock Papers. 49 CHAPTER FOUR From Point Pleasant the car will be switched to the Kanawha and Michigan tracks, completing the run into Charleston on the K. and M. arriving at the state capitol [sic] soon after 5 0'clock.2 With the legislative session behind him, Glasscock prepared for his new duties. At the time ofhis inauguration on March 4, 1909, he was forty-six years ofage. On that day the weather was seasonable and clear, with gusts of wind. Hundreds of Charlestonians and well-wishers lined the route ofthe inaugural parade. In addition to these spectators, Glasscock's wife, son, and aging father attended. The governor-elect's brother, Fuller, who was his law partner, was also present. Another brother, Stephen A. D. Glasscock of Bellingham, Washington, was unable to attend but wired his congratulations, ''As with you in spirit remember these responsibilities are equal to the honors:'3 In a similar tone of seriousness, Glasscock replied: I have never in my heart rejoiced since my election because I realize the truth ofwhat you said in your telegram that the responsibilities ofthe office are fully equal to the honors. However, I can only do the best I can and that I assure you I shall do at all times and under all circumstances.4 On that crisp March day a group of mounted police, the Second Regimental Band of the National Guard, and a battalion of state infantry led the inaugural procession. Situated between the infantry and a smart looking group of "Taft marchers;' a horsedrawn carriage conveyed Governor Dawson, Governor-elect Glasscock and the state's four living former governors: A. B. Fleming, W A. MacCorkle, George WAtkinson, and A. B. White. Three other carriages followed carrying various newly-elected state officials to the inaugural ceremonies in the House of Delegates chamber.s 2 Morgantown Post-Chronicle, March 2, 1909; Malcomson, "William E. Glasscock;' 12-14. 3 S. A. D. Glasscock to Glasscock, 4 March 1909, Glasscock Papers. 4 Glasscock to S. A. D. Glasscock, 6 March 1909, Glasscock Papers. 5 Morgantown Post-Chronicle, March 4, 1909; Wheeling Intelligencer, March 5, 1909; John G. Morgan, West Virginia Governors (Charleston, WV: Newspaper Agency Corp., 1960),39-40. It is interesting to note that there were no automobiles present in Glasscock's inaugural parade. Henry D. Hatfield, his successor, would be the first Governor-elect to ride in one in his inaugural entourage. See Williams, West Virginia and the Captains ofIndustry, 248. 50 SETTLING INTO OFFICE Judge Ira E. Robinson6 of the State Supreme Court of Appeals, Senator...