Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-02-03
est Virginia Senators

Washington
The Now West Virginia Senators.
4 Republican Comp d'EYdt-H0,r Mes;rs.
Reref0rd and Darts We're Eiecied-Rea-
sons rhy Faulkner and Price LostMe Race.
From The Wheeling Ateuigencer, Jan % ]
Tie Democratic members O; the Legislature
had an idea Of electing two United States Sena-
tors yesterday bat a Republican member who
was posted remarked as the joint Assembly
was taking its seat, e" Look on. foI fun to-day"
And sure enough, there was fun.
The Republcaush had come TO an understand
ing several nights ago, in little quiet caucus
held at the Grant House, that whenever they
could get in their work toadvautage they would
60 solid for Henry e.. Davis and Frank Here
ford, ns a choice Of evils among tie Democratic
candidates.
They picked out these two men because Of
their desire to stem the Confederate tide that
has been running rampant in this State since
the nominations at Charleston last June
Both Of them have Union anteccdents, tone
was a Union soldier and to this fact they owe
their election. They were elected BY the Re-
publicans. Blu. for the Republicans 1t is
doubtful whether either Of them would have
finally succeeded.
BY the same reasoning Messrs. P;ce and
Faulkner, and especially Mr. Faulkner. owe
their defeat to their Confederate ahtecedeuis.
and more particularly 10 the fact that it seem
cd as if no politician, Democrat OF Republican,
was to have any status hereafter in West Viz
GINA unless be could show Confederate re-
cord Mr.. Faulkner carried tie business too
far by letting the public know that be had
written all Of Sionewal Jacssons reports
That boast became an ofIense in the noStrils Of
many Democrats and of all the Republicans.
| Union people of all shades have been surfeited
with that sort Of stuff They want no more
| oft.
II is thus that every excess brings on its
natural reaction. The Confederate clement
among the Democracy had their day in the fall
/ election. They carried everything before them
at Charleston last summer and filled the State
! ticket almost solid with Confederaies The
people made q note Of the fact at the time
/ Union Democrats swallowed the dose with
many WY faces, reseFving their displcasnre for
/ suitable occasion, and the Republicans were
/ easily educated up 10 the point Of voting for a
/ Union Democrat in ord,r 10 get even With
these greedy followers Of tee lost cause.
When tie time came yesterday at which the
/ Republican vote would elect MessTs. Davis and
| Hereford 4 ey received it, Senator Scott lead
/ inc of as the color-bcafcr for the long term
and Delegate Riley, Of Jackson county, for the
! short term. and thus the job was done. When
/ the Democracy saw that they were being beau
tiiGlly hOisted 10y the Republican petard they
became completely demoraliz,d, 50 much 50 as
to lose control q Heir organization. and were
compelled to fall in with the tide aud change
| their votes to Davis ami lIereforl.
The result was, Of course. the talk Of the
town yesterday, and, generally speaking, peo-
pie Of al shades Of politics are satisfied, main
/ ly flr the reason givcn-,he same reason that
actultcl the R.pnblicans in making a choice
among the Democratic canlidhtes IL is
thought that a timely rebuke has been admin
istercd To the Stars and Bars element. Here
after they may probably 20 slower.