National Republican., 1876-08-09
WEST VIRGINIA.

One of the most interesting and impor-
tant political contests to take place in this
country prior to the election in November
is TO be decided on Tuesday, the 10th of
October, in West Virginia. A full State
ticket is to be elected, and also a Legisla-
ture which is to elect next winter two
United States Senators to succeed Mr.
Davis, whose term expires on the 4th OF
March next and one to FL the unexpired
term of the late Mr.. Caperton.
Since 1870, when the State was handed
over to the Democracy by Liberal Re-
publican movement, the Republicans have
had no regular organization and made no
contest This year they have a full State
ticket in the field and thorough organiza-
tion in every county. The Liberal Repub-
lican element has returned to active par
ticipation in the reorganization, and there
seems every prospect Of Republican vic
tory for the State ticket in October, as well
as for the national ticket in November.
Although the electoral vote of the State has
been given to the Republican candidate for
President since the organization ofthe State,
| it has oflate been counted as certainly Demo
cratic on account of the decentralization ex-
istipg in the Republican ranks. But ever
since the Democracy assumed control of
State affairs the various administra-
tions have been so notoriously corrupt that
numbers of the best men in the State are
demanding a reform, which can only be
secured by electiug the Republican ticket.
From the day the Democracy gained power
in the State there has been a constant in
crease of taxes; constitution incapable of
being understood and Interpreted has been
saddled upon the people of the State at
cost Of nearly half million dollars; offices
have been increased, and the auditor and
treasurer impeached for high crimes and
misdemeanors, others only escaping just
punishment by legal technicalities. In
fact all the ills that usually come with a
Democratic administration of public affairs
have been visited upon the State, which
had formerly been honestly, if not lib
orally, governed under Republican rule.
Not q pledge made by the Democracy
before il came into power has been kept,
and those who helped them into the control
of State affairs, as well as those who differed
with them upon any question of policy,
have been severely and unreasonably de-
MED any part in the party management.
This arrogance, the corruption existing
among public officials and the general NAL
administration of State affairs, has disgust
ed large masses of those heretofore acting
with the party, and they are ready to act
with any opposition giving reasonable hope
of improvement. The Democracy are also
demoralized and divided upon capital re-
moval and other local issues that do not in
terfere with the Republicans. In shaping
their opposition to this demoralized party
the Republicans have shown commendable
intelligence constructing their State ticket
and platform so as to be above adverse crit
icism. The platform is confined to State
issues alone, and is severe arraignment of
the Democratic misrule in the State, and
the ticket is the strongest that could have
been named. General Gof, the candidate
for Governor, is said to be the most popu-
lar young man in the State, lawyer Of fine
attainments, and a powerful debater. He
is native of West Virginia, well known
all over the State, and will, it is expected,
make thorough and aggressive canvass.
Colonel Ward II. Lamon, at one time mar
shal of this District, is on the ticket as one
of the electors-at large, and will, it is said,
make thorough CANVASS of The State
With this showing there ought to be, and
we believe there is, no reasonable doubt of
carrying West Virginia in the October elec
ton, and the canvass there will soon begin
to assume an importance never before at
taching to political contests in the State
The fact that the election takes place in Oc-
tober, and that two United States Senators
depend upon the result, make it of ma
tional importance, and it should receive the
active support and attention of every one
interested in good government State as
well as national.