Charleston Daily Mail
November 7, 1934
Holt, Highly Pleased, Says State Has Thrown Off Absent-Landlord's Yoke
Says He Realizes Tremendous Responsibility, But He Declines to Comment on Age Problem
Rush D. Holt, Democratic United States senator-elect, at his campaign headquarters here Wednesday declined to make any statement relative to questions that have arisen concerning his eligibility to sit in the senate at the session which meets in January, because, at that time, he still will be about five months under the required age of 30 years. However, he did issue a general statement expressing his thanks as follows:
"Naturally, I am highly pleased over the results of yesterday's election, and am deeply grateful to the progressive voters of all political parties who made possible such an impressive vote of confidence in the great humanitarian who sits in the White House. I do not interpret the election as being, in any sense, a personal victory, but as a triumph for progressive principles.
"The people of West Virginia have thrown off the yoke of the absentee landlords, and I predict they will never again submit to the ruthless rule of the forces of special privilege. In my campaign, I pledged myself to continue the fight against star chamber government by the chosen few, and I intend to redeem that pledge.
"I am not unmindful of the tremendous responsibility that has been imposed upon me, and I wish to say to my friends everywhere, both Democrats and Republicans, that it will be my constant purpose and earnest endeavor to conduct myself in such manner that they will not have cause to be disappointed."
During his campaign Mr. Holt answered critics of his age by saying that those who criticised "are not afraid that I will not be seated, but are afraid that I will be seated." His close friends expressed the view that he will go to the senate, when it convenes in January, and they said that "there will be no question about the senate seating him."
It is genearlly [sic] believed here that if Mr. Holt should present his credentials and if a senate should raise a point against his age the senate, which will be predominantly governed by New Deal senators will not hesitate to seat him just as Henry Clay, more than 100 years ago, was seated at the age of 29 years.
Mr. Holt said that he expected to go to Weston on Wednesday afternoon to see his parents, Dr. and Mrs. M. S. Holt, and said that he probably would return to Charleston in a day or two.