The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-01-30
The Next West virginia Senator.


The Next West Virginia Senator
The Democratic legislative caucus held
ut Charleston Thursday night, nominated
for United States Senator HENRY G.
DAVIS, of New Creek, member Of the
upper house, and confidential agent and
next friend Of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail.
road Company. That the nomination
will be ratified by the vote Of the two
houses tomorrow, there is no reason to
doubt
GEO. A. TOWNSEND, the correspondent,
III recent letter to the Chicago Tribune,
about West Virginia, said the the State
ought to he called Baltimore Il Ohio, rs
New Jersey was "thC State OF Camden
and AmbOy." The remark was even
truer than the writer knew, for he was
not referring so much to the controlling
hand Of the company in our State affairs
as 10 the Gnct that It was the only rail-
road Of importanCein the State 1t really
does begin to look as il the change Of
name suggested by Mr.. TOWNSEND would
be appropriate. and we suggest 1t now to
the coming Convention. With Governor
two United States Senators and Legisla.
turc, all under control Of that company,
We don't sec but Mr.. GARRETr might Ns
well havea title deed for the whole State
ut once.
OF the personal fitness Of men for Office,
il is always M ungracious thing 10 speak,
though fair subject of public criticism.
That Mr.. DAVIS is not without abilities of
some kind is shown by his success both in
the acquisition Of property and in his ma
nipulation of men. He is reported
TO be worth two or three hundred
thousand dollars, and he understands
thoroughly the commercial value OF money
and of all the commodities that may be
purchased with it. lie began lie in a
subordinate position in the employ of the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company,was
for many years conductor; acquired
means and engaged in merchandising at
points along the road; became u general
trader in all sorts Of property; acquired
coal and timber lands; sawed lumber and
shipped coal-all the while enjoying unu.
sual advantages from his relations with
the company. After the formation of
West Virginia Mr.. DAVIS became the di-
plomatic agent of Mr.. GARRETT at the
State capital, and the marks of his hand
were always to he found i'll any legisla'
tOn that affected the company.
Ills life, thus far, it will be seen, has
not been spent in the pursuits or studies
which are presumed to fit man to sit in
the seats that have once held such men as
Webster, Clay and Calhoun, or that to-day
hold such men rs Sumner, Trumbull, and
Thurman. Whether, under such disad.
vantages, he will be able TO rise to the
level of that high place, and reflect a halo
Of renOwn on this "young and flourishing
commonwealth remains TO be seen. 1t
is sufficient to say to our Democratic
brethren who have been disposed to make
merry over some Of the material
out Of which officials were made
by the Republicans, that they can.
not shake their CORY locks at us any
longer. The Democratic party of the
State did embrace men OF fine abilities,
culture and reputation, such as Mr., LAMB,
of this city, Mr.. FAULKNER, of Berkeley,
Judge ALLEN T. CARPERToN, Gen. JACK
SON, Of parkersburg, Mr.. FERGrsoN,
of Cabell, PRICE of Greenbrier,. Ed.
MsToN, oil Lewis, Judge THOMPSON, of
Wheeling. Judge CAMDEN, BRowN, Of
Preston, and others that might be named,
who would have reflected credit on their
party and on the State. What are We to
think Of Legislature that passes over
such names rs these for the one selected 7
1t Is not our funeral, however, and If
our Democratic friends are satisfied, VIC
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