Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-06-20
STATE POLITICS.
FISHING FOR POLITICAL OPINIONS.
What Republican Ex-Iudge Thinks of the
Situation The Candidates and
Concomitants Of the Com
ing Campaign.
Correspondence Of the Register.

| Correspondence Of the Register
PARKERsBURG, June Is.
Observing in your columns the re-
suits Of some fishing for political opin-
ions i'm the upper end Of the State, |
thought it not amiSs 10 rig my tackle,
fling m my quizzing hook and line, and
see ii couldn't get prohetical nibble
in the intellectual cddies on this edge OF
West Virginia's waters. OF my success
let your readers judge.
first east my hook into the clear
depths of q well known Republican
nook. AccoSting in his Office a promi-
nent citizen of genial address and high
legal attinments, who in the past has
been not without honors conferred
by the Republican party, | announced
my desperate purpose, dogmatically,
without throwing out any ieelers. "Sir,
| want to interview you. The great
public demands your opinions about
matters and things political Sudden
" dropping his pen, where, as he casual
. " informed me, ne was Just charging
lee for defending q Democrat for bastar-
dy, he inquired, sOlemnly "Salath-are
YOU i'm earnest?' Said I-"Did you ever
| know me to be otherwise" "Well,
ne said pointedly, "If you are in earn
est, and want opinions, you're fish
iug i'm the wrong sea-lVe
cot no opnions-but ii YOU
want political facts, | can accommodate
you-only stipulate that you will not
name the source whence YOU get the
lacts-ior my business could not allow
me time to respond TO the endless in
quiri,s of interested parties that would
CnSuc.'
your most humble and obedient ser
want" | replied Facts IN lieu OF opin-
IONS are well worthy to dictate terms to
the recipient "
Then it's political facts you want?
Facts YOU shall have. John Sherman
will be our next President. That's the
first fact"
and the Vice. inquired.
"Will be from California. That's
enough on that.
"What will be the Ohio facts, after
the election"
"Foster governor by small majority
say 1900.
what are the party facts in the West
Virginia campaign OF lSSO?'
60 well, the Democrats will doubtless
make nominations, jus, to keep up
their organization, you know"
"DoubtIcsS,' | echoed; "and the Re
publicanS?'
"Will be in the field vigorously
"WhO lcadiug?'
"Wcll, my dear sir he proceeded
with deliberate and penetrating empha-
sis, "dOu't YOU know that the great men
of the Republican party in this State are
too modest and honest TO run for office?
But it will be a pleasing fact to note
that Mr.. SturgiSs, OF MOnongalia, makes
4 wise and able governor
"Just so,' | observed, 'the Republi-
cans have always been a peculiar and
mo lest people
"WiI Faulkner be the Democratic
candidate"
.'No. ne can't. 1t would be r.. F.
Dennis, but that Gov Mathews is from
Grcenbricr He is talented man, and
of enlarged and liberal views"
"DO you speak adviscdly thus OF a
Democrat / venturcd.
"Oh, yes. / am stating facts. |
knew Dennis before he became a Demo-
crat. Understands
satisfactorily explained" said l.
Proceed with the facts"
Judge Ferguson has wide talent and
fitness, but can't be nominated
"Wcll,' said /, somewhat impatient,
"as I'm not likely to get the fact OF
who'll be- the Democratic standard
bco~cr, how about the GreenbaCk par
typ"
ooh, thcre'lI be three parties in the
field. The Gecnbackers will have
convention"
And nominate Walker?'
"Nu; he's localized himseli-married
To the Third 'dccstrict,' and won't bC
able To come out. 1t will be Moilet.'
And will he run well?'
"Ncs-toward home after the clec-
ton
"What of the third party's strength,
compared with what it has been"
1T will grow weaker and weaker rs 4
| party. Isn't that your opinion2'
"Nuur pardon, good sir l inter
posed, this is not mutual interview
| ior opinions. i thought 1t understood
| that am now bObbing for facts. When
| | 20 a cat'n', ! 20 a cat'n';' and when
| I'm fishing for facts | never bait with
| opinions.
Correct - he humbly resumed, "and
I rather like your honest impudence,
| and but for the Democratic noun Just
named, could delight i'm according you
| the Republican adjective aforesaid
/ That aside, however, ii is further fact
I that there is in our State large disSatis
| fled element, that would bc felt, could
| il he organized and handled. Then
| there is strong. restless sentiment in
| the workiugmcn, tina. is correct, but
/ this too lacks organization and leader
| ship. Norkingmen are generally un-
/ fortunate i'm getting leaders who
| have failed as workingmcn and must
ofneccSSity fail rs leaders
"And now, before YOU dismiss me
/ from your august presence, pray, sir,
/ what portendS the Congressional skies
I over the First district
darkness, sir; darkness-nOthing but
| thick darkness. The Democratic cloud
| from zenith 10 horizon, O'CrwrapS and
o'erwhclms us; hopclcSS-so to speak.
| 4 Democratic incumbent, with capacity
/ 20 construct COnventions-with shrewd-
/ ness 10 bargain and money 70 buy-and
| such fields of Democracy on the market
rs are found in Wetzel and Calhoun, is
an institution a. imperyious to logic
rs an exhausted lCech is to tear
iul appeal-and l can't see,
| Sir. that anything short OF lightning and
/ y.,sg can bring relief to this suffering
b0iy-politic.'
Here returned lavish thanks for the
\ facts urui,hcd-and left the diStin-
\ guished dealer in Soidities with his
/ briefs and fee hook, and so as not to mix
my catch I'll fish for opinions another
day. SALATHIEL,
! NELSON pICKERING was tired before
] - f'....,st iH.,,-, $ NI,rt I.,r,,t,- lost