The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-04-05
THROWING DIRT.
Editors OF the Register:

We had hoped that the preliminary
canvass for the Gubernatorial nomina-
tion in this State would have been car
ried on by the friends of the various as
pirants for that position In a spirit of
friendship and good feeling, but it seems
that our hopes in this direction, like all
human hopes were doomed to disappoint-
ment. We find an editorial in the
Point Pleasant Register of the 23rd ul-
timo, that needs special notice at the
hands of the friends of not only those
opposed to Mr.. Eastham's nomination
but at the hands OF any good Democrat
in the State.
The article referred to sets out with
the proposition that the person named
by the Third District for nomination for
Governor will be chosen, as the Second
and First Districts will ratity this ac-
ton of the Third District. In the first
place, this is mere assumption OF the
Register. We know Ct no such bargains
between the districts. In the second
place, such an arrangement would be
not only unfair to the other portions of
the State. but to the distinguished gen.
tlemen named for this position.
But We desire more particularly to
call attention to the following extract
from the Registers article After stat.
ing that the two prominent gentlemen
named for the nomination in this Dis
trict, one Maj. II. M. Matthews, of
Greenbrier, and Senator Eastman, of
Mason, he very unceremoniously dis
misses Maj. Matthews, not, however,
without first admitting hIm to be a gen.
tleman of ability. The editor then eulo-
gizes Mr. Eastman with great enthusiasm.
We make the following extract:
"Mr. Eastman in his official acts,
shirked no duty and avoided no respon-
sibility for the sake of popularity, but
knowing his duty, performed it without
fear or favor.
ale is, in fact, the only public man
now before the people, against whom
nothing can be said, either MS private
citizen or as an official Of the State,
while very much can be said in his favor.
He is mixed up with no ring or clique,
or frauds, or populations in office, and
has done his best to break up and expose
and remove from office, those who used
the public funds for their own private
gain"
We protest against the Register max
ing such sweeping charges as are con-
tanned in the above extract against the
leading gentlemen of the Democratic
party In this State Look at the long
list of distinguished Democrats upon
whose character there is neither spot or
blemish.
But we presume the above extract was
intended to apply more PARTICULAR to
Hon. Ii. NJ. Matthews. Will the Reg
lister be kind enough to tell us what Off
cial duty Maj Matthews has ever
shlrked? Or with what rings, cliques,
frauds or peculation in office he has ever
been mixed up with? He has record,
and upon that record he stands
before the people of the State to-day.
That record is one of devotion to duty
and IN untiring zeal for the supremacy
of Democratic principles under all cir
cumstances.
At the c'ose of the late war Major
Matthews was elected by large major
ity to the Senate from this district, and
went to Wheeling and demanded his
seat, but his demand was refused and he
returned to his constituents. During the
prevalence of test oathes he was impOr-
tuned by leading Radicals to petition the
Legislature to remove his disabilities so
that he might be enabled to practice his
profession, but he declined TO do So con-
tending that he would not practice his
profession by Radical sufierance, but by
right. He was invited to leave the State,
and large and lucrative practice was
offered him in other States, but he de-
chned the offers saying that these were
his people, and SO long as they suffered
from Radical prescription that he, too
would remain with them and share their
sutierings. During all this time he
was speaking and working for Demo
cratic principles. At last, when the test
oaths were repealed. his people elected
him to represent them in the
Constitutional Convention, on this
occasion by an increased ma
iority. His cowse in the convention
was such that he was placed upon the
Democratic State licked tor the high and !
responsible position he now holds, At
torney. general of this State. Even his
opponents praise him for his devotion to
his duties as the principal law officer of
the State. 1t is this that has brought |
Majar Matthews so prominently before
the people Of the State as candidate for
It's chief executive office. We have no
doubt the Democratic convention which !
meets in Charleston on the Sth of June
will recognize the seserviCes to the people |
and to duty. by making him the standard |
bearer OF the Democracy in the coming
State campaign.
Let us now examine Mr.. Eastham's |
claims to position at the hands of the
Democratic State Convention. We will !
say FIRST that Mr.. Eastman comes from a |
county not reliably Democratic. Mason
gave over 700 majority against the call
fora Constitutional Conventional Dem
ocratic measure-while Greenbrier gave
over 700 majority in favor of said call.
However good Democrat Mr. h. may
be, he does not seem TO WELD much lnhu-
ence in his county.
Did he ever make Democratic speech
or has he ever done anything to advance
the interests of that party. Let Us ex-
amino Iut Clulul NhlIu viz 4tSys''S' ~
earnestly presents to the public in his be-
half The Register says:
First-"He is thoroughly honest"
Well, so are mos; of the Democrats in
the State, and all of those whose names
have been presented for this office.
Second-''ue is experienced in public
business" He has been member of the
LEGISLATURE for one term. This is the
beginning snd the ending Of his expert
ence in public affairs.
Third-"He is man of ability We
do not doubt but what he is, but he has
never shown il in any way whatever in
politics farming or merchandising.
Fourth-"He is true and proven"
How. when and where?
Fitth-"He has no flaw in his record
Certainly not. To have such flaw. one
nus: first have Il record Of some KIND,
which Mr.. Eastman has not.
S;v+b flo hos nj low comma n ion shlps,