Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-12
The Ex-Spoaker.


MIR. Geo. III. Mo0ett, Speaker OF the
late House OF Delegates, has submitted
TO an interview, so called, which the
REGISTER publishes, and which we wish
10 notice in a few respects. Mofett Is
neither a power in the land nor poll
tical leader, but he has been specially
honored by the Democracy OF this State,
and il is not altogether upright Tor him,
now i'm his political dotage, TO attempt
To besmirch the good name of the par
ty that has made him all he is. A fair
expression would do him more honor,
and his political friends less harm, than
this attempt to belittle the Democracy,
To which party he has always claimed al
legiance, but which he now seeks TO dis
honor and discredit.
He denounces Tilden with all his
strength OF language, and he is particu-
larly severe toward Ewing. Between
these extremes he hopes TO find the
proper man and that man is, in his
opinion, no doubt, MoHett.
We care nothing for MOffett's state
ments, but his remarks as published
falsliy the record. and make him a mar
tyr To- good intentions, when the facts
are otherwise. He might have gone on
i'm the obscurity in which he has found
himself, had he been content to state
events as they occurred, and omitted his
effort TO make himself a saint and the
Democratic party blunder.
In the course of his interview he lets
no opportunity escape to denOunce the
"Bourbons," among whom he classes
Faulkner, Jacob and LETTERS, while he
places Camden and Ben. Martin in the
list OF ''progressives.
In the interview the ex-Spealler says,
"And, later, you remember when |, as
Speaker OF the last House of Delegates,
appointed Republicans and Greenback-
ers to the craftsmanship of committees,
thew sat in solemn caucus and passed
resolutions of communication and
still later they attempted TO diSorganize
the Wheeling REGISTER because it failed
TO toot for them. These are illustrations
of how intOlerant the element is"
When Mofett gave all the important
committees to Republicans and Green
hackers there was some dissatisfaction,
but no caucus followed.
When, however, near the close OF the
session Moflett went to Washington and
there held conference with the Green
hackers, and upon his return to Wheel,
inc had himself interviewed by the La-
isIiigencer, in which he announced that
he could no longer train with the De-
mocracy of West Virginia, but would
Law his lines in new places, and intlma'
ted desire to become the Moses OF
new party in this State, TO lead them to
victory and to power, then Il caucus was
held.
Mohett had evidently completed his
arrangements to hand over his party,
BAG and baggage. to its enemies, but he
couldn't deliver the goods. The Wheel
inc Lig2igeacer, and nearly every other
Republican paper in the State began to
sound high the praises OF Motiett, and
the coalition seemed about perfected
when the caucus lifted its head and the
traders took back seat.
There was no caucus held to consider
the Speakers detection until he himself
announced it through the Iateliige0cer
When it did meet, however, there was q
hurrving to and fro and many and many
an anxious Countenance was strained NJ
the stairwavs of the capitol to learn the
result of the mysterious meeting. And
but for a shrewd maneuver shame, II
not disgrace, would have been brought
10 the cheeks oil the Speaker.
DR.. b. p. Gooch, a pure Democrat
who had nominated Motlett in the eau
Gus and worked heroiCally for his cleo
ton. felt so keenly the action of Moiiett
in his attempted betrayal of his friends
that it was generally understood he
would introduce resolution in the
House the next day asking the Speaker
to resign. This coming to the ears OF
the Speaker he gave it out that he in
tended offering his resignation. Gooch,
therefore, did not offer his resolution,
the Speaker did not resign, and in lew
DAYS the Legislature adjourned.
Later the eX-Speaker says: After the
publication of that card | was nomi.
mated for Speaker by caucus composed
Of Democrats, Greenbackers and Repub'
Leans, and was elected"
This statement is not true, except in
icrcntially. When the Democratic eau
Gus was announced to nominate candl-
dates for the officers OF the House, Moi
iett was the leading candidate among
the straight out Democrats, but
his friends, among whom was
the writer, saw that more was rcqulr'
eel to nominate him and after con
Sultation it was announced that
all who proposed to cooperate with the
Democracy were invited to participate
i'm the caucus. But neither DIR. Logan,
made chairman OF the Finance Com,
mittee, nor Marsh lIagans, made chair,
man Of the Committee on Mines, ac'
cepted the nomination.
The caucus that nominated him was
q Democratic caucus, and if Republic
cans and Grccnbackcrs were there they
got i'm under false pretenccs.
We have always had a great respect
for MotIctt, but lac ought not to try 10
make false record to excuse himself
for his miSiOTtuncS in politics.