The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-12
WEST VIRGINIA POLITICS.
A Congressional Canvass Without Any
Issues-A Full Democratic Deleg alton
for the Next Congress. Is

u
LEwIsBURG, Oct Q, 1874.
After an unusually quiet and orderly campaign
the Congressional canvass In this State is now
about to close. The election Is set for the second
Tuesday OF the present month, which will be the
18th inst There were no issues to speak or so
that the contests in each district rested rather
upon the personal merits and records OF the OPP
posing candidates than on any party principles or
measures OF public interest. All OF the Candidates
democrats, republicans and independents-are In
favor OF that great water line from the West to
the East the James River and Kanawha Canal.
All OF them opposed to the Civil Rights bill
which here is a dead letter; all OF them are third
termers, on the condition that Grant pledges his
support to the canal, and non.third-termers
II he does not, and all OF them want
more money, whether by lnnation or otherwise.
SO that here in West Virginia, leaving out local
aCairs, there was presented the novelty OF a Con-
gresslonal canvass without any issues Of moment
upon which either the parties or candidates ere
divided. In the
FIRST DISTRICT
the contest IS closer than in either OF the other
two. for 1t will be remembered West Virginia only
contributes three Solons to the House TO make up
the combined wisdom OF the nation. The demo.
cratic nominee is Benjamin Wilson, OF Harrison
county, and Nathan Coz, the present United States
chances are decidedly in favor OF the election OF
Wilson, who was elected to the last Congress,
but was not allowed to take his seat by a repub.
lican decision The legal election In this State
prior to this was In October. 1872, when Wilson
received q decided majority over bis opponent:
but there was another election the same year for
State officers IN August. An Independent candi.
date was voted for at that election, who having
no opposition, received a neavy VOTE This was the
first election under the new constitution
OF the State and as that instrument was silent as
to Congressional elections the old law still pre-.
vailed which fixed the time for electng Congress.
men in October Congress saw ht, however TO
admit the independent voted Tor in August, and
thus Wilson was cheated out OF his seat In the last
two sessions OF that body. He has always been a
democrat: was member OF the late Constitu-
tonal Convention, and is a man OF ability and q
bold. forcible and incisive speaker. Mr.. CofI his
opponent, Is young man, a republican OF the
strictest type, and Is very popular with his party
SECOND DISTRICT
lies between two ex-Cnlted States Congressman,
both OF them well known to the readers o the
HERALD, but one OF them particularly. Charles
j. Falkner, who served several terms In Congress
prior TO the war; ana who was Minister 70 France
under Mr.. Buchanan, Is the democratic nominee
lie is opposed by Alexander Boteer, who runs as
an independant, merely TO crafty an ancient and
lnveterate political antlpatny TO Mir. Faulkner
Boteler also served IN Congress before the war
and Z an old opponent OF Fa!kners. The latter
will be elected. Hon. Frank Hereford or Monroe
county Is the democratic renomnee Ia the
THIRD DISTRICT,
and VIII unquestionaby be elected, az IL polls q
majority OF over 1000 votes He was opposed un-
I'll recently by John Hall, OF MasoE~county an inde
pendent democratic candidate, VINO, Ilding poll
tics too expensive and the prospect o. being
from the canvass 10 disgust, leaving a clear field
Tor Hereford. The Reuuehcan Committee then