Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-06-27
THE CHOICE OF THE GREEN
hackers.

LlANIilN AIlAA AANAANNNkA 80
as the unknown quantity in our State
politics.,
When the leader of party organlza-
ton is authoritiveiy named We can be-
GIN to figure with some precision as to
the strength and policy OF the party
No man has vet seemed to stand out as
an available leader oithe- Greenbaekers
in the next campaign. Speaker Nor
FErr has been hooked upon in some
ouarters as the coming man. In the
REGISTERS published interview with
Mr.. HExRy S. Wakes, Speaker Nor
FEr was spoken Of as a man who the
Greenbackers would vote for If nOmi-
mated, but his reference to the Speaker
was rather guarded, if indeed ii was not
conspicuOusly cool and non-committal.
Now, however, Mr.. WALKER has IN
Dictated his choice with some snow OF
enthusiasm through the columns OF his
own journal, the Courier. As he is the
recognized leader Of the Greenback or
ranization in the district where the
principal strength of that party is con-
centrated, this may be regarded some
what in the nature Of an official an
nouncement, although put more in the
way Of a political prophecy.
After referring to the slate-making
now going on for the next State cam
paign, the Courier says, editOrially:
at occurs to us from what We gather
on the undeTcurrent OF political talk
here and there, that the most dangerous
name for the slate-makers aud machine
managers, has hardly been mentioned
vet in connection with next years POI
Itical fight. IL is that OF Hon. Joseph
(iist, OF Brooke county. He IS gentle
man that has had very little 10 do with
party politics: the public will look IN
vain among the list OF "Old stagers Tor
any mention Of his name. Heis a prac-
teal and successful farmer, and at the
same time a man of thorough scholarly
education. He is a good stumper, con-
sidering and discussing public questions
from the standpoint OF the producer and
the taxpayer, and presenting their side
of the ease with rare force and elOquence.
lie is q man of spotless reputation ami
great personal popularity, OF ripe ex-
perience and close student OF meas
ures and events,
lie is a decided, thorough Greenback-
or. and rs such was elected from his
county last Fall to the House Of Dele
gates over theregular Bourbon nominee,
As a man who could unite all the ele-
ments Of opposition to BOurbOnlsm IN
this State, he has many OF the qualities
of availability. Just make nOteot this,
aud while the machine is being oiled
and the triggers all set, pay attention to
the course OF opposition opinion, espe-
cially among the labOring, Green0ack
and Granger elements, and see II there
is not a general concentration OF views
in the direction OF Brooke county.
No one will disagree with Mr.. WALK
ERin the high estimate he places upon
the personal character Of Mr.. GIsT. In
this regard he is sans ps,rr It sans reProchs.
He is also a very fine representative of
the producer and the taxpayer, and a
decided, thorough Greenbacker.'
But there will probably be found two
elements of availability which Mr.. GIsT
would lack if called upon to lead the
Greenback organization in the State
campaign. The first Of these would be
a Discrimination to sacrifice the quiet
and ease ~ o delightful homo and tl'e
pleasant pursuits of a lifetime, to har-
rass his old age with the turmoil and
trouble OF a political campaign. Mr..
GISr has very little taste for
political life. He has abundant means,
accumulated in the slow, laboriOus and
economical processes Of farming, and
will doubtless feel, however literally
disposed as a rule, that it would be a
very injudicious investment OF means
thus earned, 10 invest it in the expenses
Of such a campaign.
Further than this, Mr., GIsT is utterly
without experience in polical lie. We
believe ne has never before held politi-
cal office until elected to the last Legis-
lature. While possessing a good degree
Of culture, in a general way, he doubt
less would be very unwilling to assume
the duties Of the chief executive officer
Of the State. Not that he would be UNI
able TO master them, but that his lack OF
experience and of taste for such engage
ments would at his time OF life, make
themI very onerous and unpalatable.
But ii the Greenbackers are looking first
aud foremost for a ''new man they
could not, perhaps, find one less tainted
with the odor of the machine" than
JOSEPH GISr, Esq.