Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-09-08
THE SECOND DISTRICT.
Congressional Candidates and
Their Friends-The Register
Set the Pot to Boiling.
,spondence of the Register.

Correspondence ofthe Register.
CUMBERLAND. MD, Sep. s..
Business had taken me to the three
counties of West Virginia known as the
Eastern Panhandle" Berkeley, Jeffer'
son and Morgan, during the piping days
of July, and the indulgence OF my love
for high mountains, fertile valleys, and
the rush of crystal streams, in cOnnex-
ion with a fancy that am a worthy dis,
ciple of Isaac Walton have given my
August wanderings the charm of leisure
ly journey through the great valley Of
the South Branch.
My journey at an end, my holiday
over, / recall my promise to give to the
REGISTER the result Of my observations.
To tell the truth l have been rather a
fisher of men, than of the finny tribe,
ald if industrious fishermen and skill
fully handled lines, should make a scar
city of game fish in the Potomac no one
can say did it. My opportunities for
getting at the true sentiment OF the peo-
pie and for forming an estimate OF pub
lie opinion, outside of politicians have
been excellent, and feeling very mucn
as did the woman who, in the fight be-
tween her husband and the bear was in
different as to which whipped, | can
state impartially what heard. | have
kicked my heels against the counters OF
sundry country stores, have attended
half n dozen sales, been at one school
election and drank buttcrmilk at scores
OF hospitable farmers tables.
Necessarily / heard something OF poll
tics, and as | smoked my pipe l listened.
There is such a reality as an "off year.
in politics and the Second District was
enjoying its repose and quiet when the
enterprise of the REGISTER in interview
ing certain gentlemen disturbed the
tranquility proper to the season, and
made hurly-burly which would be ex'
actly in order, in 1880.
1t may be very pleasant thing tol
your readers to have personal sketches
OF public men, and writing nOminiS unl-
bra | might crafty them if only knew
personally the gentlemen named in con-
nexion with the congressional candida
ture, but not knowing them | must
speak as they have been presented tC
me by the criticisms of friends and enc
mics. Mr.. Lucas is lawyer of Jefferson
county, who seems TO prefer the heights
of Parnassus to the courts of Themsl
he can write poetry and the Spirit OF
jefferson" says he has thrown the Other
LAWYERS quite in the shade and is un
questionably now the top rail, but the
Esprit" is Mr.. Lucas own paper and
think it very unwise, fOr'' He who
bloweth his own trumpet the same Is
not blown" the quaint old adage says
and his paper has erred kindly, but not
wisely, in commencing him as the beS
lawyer, with more business in all the
courts than anybody else and the beS
stump speaker in West Virginia. The
lawyers laugh over this, but it has no
increased their appreciation or develop
ell their warmest support OF his Con
gressional aspirations.
Mr.. Martin has had the bene
fit OF a Congressional career o
now two terms, and claims reelection
on the score of merit, experience anG
distinguished Congressional services
Whether it is really distinguished | dc
not know, the Record will show that; LEI
it speak for him. His friends also urge
that he ought to be kept in his seat, be
cause, having now lost his home prac
tice in public service, it would be un
grateful to cast him adriit. The friends
of Mr.. Lucas and of other candidates
deny any sacrifice on his part; those o
Mr.. Lucas are particularly bitter, de
nounce his candidacy as a breach o
faith, (are politicians ever faithful?
Ifit is true that Mr.. Martin has suffered
financially by going to Congress, ism
it odd that Mr.. Lucas, with "mOre bust
ness in all the courts than anybody
else" should be so eager TO offer him
self as a sacrifice, but then Mr.. Lucas i!
a poet, aud poets are fanciful fellows
rarely takinga practical view OF matters
An excellent fancy" is hostile to gooC
sound common sense.
OF the merits OF these gentlemen
know but little, and from what | hea
among the people, they are not muci
disturbed about the chances of either o.
any ofthe candidates. Other gentlemen
are in the field, but the contest is mos
likely to be exceedingly bitter betweer
these two gentlemen.
They are the politicians candidates
already are heard the growlings abou
bad faiths and broken understandings
Mr.. Lucas claims thatfor now two terms
he has stood outside and smiled anC
smiled while Mr.. Martin walked int
the crib. and now that Mr.. Martin ough
not, after promising him a term at tn,
| public oats, 10 say that they are no
| good and he must have more, becaus,
he lost better at home. But Mr. Martir
| has waxed fat and he kicks at the "littl,
/ giant" as well as at any other who tTie
| to share his stall. Mr. Lucas thinks hin
very ungrateful and writes sorrowfu
verses:
"Alas, alas, alack day,
| IL tIhelped him for 10 win
lie promised should have a term,
And he would help me in.
want my term, | do indeed.
want IL very bad
| But he stands there and calls more feed
| And that's what makes me mad"
The fight caused by the now conflict
ing interests OF these gentlemen
will make the canvass an interest
ing one, and a laughable one. Ii
the meantime there are other aspirant
not to be despised by either, but as m.
present letter is long enough l defe
mention OF them, their claims and pros
poets for scccess until nv next. Tn,
whole thing promises to be a prett,
kettle of fish. Yours Truly
TRAVELLER.