The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-11-19
The ComInF Ci1y RIeetIon,

wv AtO eaAAAA W AAuke SAlAlOuR Union
people very general interest in the
approaching charter election. There
was larger attendance than usual at
tho Club rooms last Saturday night,
and tho best of feeling seemed to pre-
vail. We do not remember any pre-
viOns occasion when, thus early in the
season, similar amount of interest
was exhibited. At the meeting the
subject of the approaching election was
freely canvAssed, the main topic being
the best way to secure the most satis-
factory and harmonious nominations
for the different city Offices. The old
system Ofwnrd meetings and instructed
delegates is not popular. In actual
practice it is found to yield very indif-
ferent results. The Democracy" in
their long squabble over the sheriffalty,
gave Us an illustration as to how easily
ward meetings can be handled by nc
tive and enterprIsing candidates as
against their competitors. In our COM
ing election we do not want any fo.e-
closure OF party preference. We want
candidates who are the real choice of
the people, and who, when nominated,
will command the greatest possible
strength among our Union people. The
why to arrive at a correct aud uninIlu-
enced expression of public opinion is
10 adopt the system practiced in Penn
sylvania and other States, so far as such
asystem may be applicable in an cleo
tiOn like ours. It is believed that If n
regular poll was opened in each Ward,
for the reception of votes from Union
men as to their preference among can
dates for all the city Offices, including
that for Council, nominees would be
secured that would add greatly to
the strength of the ticket. In this way
there can be no laying of wires, no
springtng oftraps, no packing of con-
ventions, but, on the contrary, an open,
free and unbiased expression of prefer
ence will besecured.
We need hardly say that we regard
such proposition as n move in the
right direction. We want at the forth
coming election our best and most pop
ular men put forward. We must not
endnnger the success of the cause by
nominations that do not command the
entire public confidence, as is too often
the case in mere partisan meetings and
conventions. The general feeling among
our Union people is that we can carry tho
city mt tho January election, II we only
succeed in placing our best mon in NOM
inatIon. Our splendid gains on the
25th of last month must not DO Filtered
away by any fault OF the Union party.
II we give the people good men, their
inclinati0ns will be to vote our ticket.
We may depend that city elections arc
each year getting to be more and more
Rquestion of candidates. Great prin-
cipIes, considered to he vital, will do n
great deal to hold an organization to-
gether, even under strong prejudice
against It's nominees. During tho war,
and since, the people have generally
voted more with respect to principles
than men. But now that moro settled
state of public opinion is returning,
the tendency is rather in an opposite
direction, and this tendency will iu-
crease according as the late issues dis
appear from the political arena. Sothat
any PaTtY to secure a reasonable guar
antoo of success In an election, must
make up its mind to give the people the
greatest possible inducements in the
way objectionable candidates. Wemust
not lose sight of the fact that a city
election is, and should be, In many re-
spOcts, different from more general cleo.
lions. Many man who would make
good candidate. and good public
servant, at II county or State election,
would not be the best man for tho adj
ministratiOn of our more purely local
affairs. And with tax payers, especial
ly in a taxed community like ours, the
able and faithful management of the
City's interests is consideration that
Outweighs all others.
These remarks wo throw out this
morning In the hope that they will in
ducO reflections aud Investigations
among our Union people. We arc all
interested, friend and foo, in the sue
cess OF the city. Remember this, first
and foremost, in the choice of men. We
want candidates who eau do tho most, |
ifClected, for the general prosperity.
The people will look at the personality |
OF the two tickets, when putinthe field,
and will then mako up their minds
who ought to be elected. Let us take
care that we give them no cause to
discriminate against us. If we do not,
We cannot but think that the inclina-
ton of the majority Will be to vote the
Union ticket.