Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-07-26


public. The Auditors report of collec-
tons shows not only that full settle
ments have been made with every Sher-
1T In the State for the past fiscal year,
an accomplishment unprecedented in
the history of the Office, but also that
larger proportion of the outstanding in
debtedness inherited from previous ad-
ministrations has been secured. There
has been some criticism of the admins
trations of the office of State Superin-
tendent OF Schools, but 1t seems to have
had no just foundation, land the endorse
ment plan will in all probability be fol-
lowed in each case to the general salts
faction of the indorsed.
a SENATORIAL STRIFE.
There is lively canvass being made
quietly, but Systematically and carefully,
for Senator Hereiord's place, which is
10 6e filed by the next Legislature. The
incumbent, while possessing fair ability
and undoubted industry, is thought 10
owe his success as much TO fortunate
combination circumstances as his own
merits, He came back from California
/ and settled in the lower end of this State
about the time the war ended, and, be-
ing about The only lawyer of Democrat
ic proclivities in that section who was
then permitted to practice his probes
sion, he become spokesman, not only
for himself, but for all the disfranchised
and deharred brethren that the existing
Registration Laws kept out. When the
GROUND swell came, and the Democratic
majority got a chance to be heard, it
lifted Hereford to Congress, and the va
cancy in the Senate above referred to,
caused by Hon. a. II. Caperton's death,
coming on to be filled by the Legislature
at the same time that Senator Davis
term expired, the latter seized Hereford,
whose geographical location and follow
ing made him the most available ally in
reach, and the two went through as east
ly as you have sometimes seen pair OF
penaroyal buds with their tails wired
together 90 through rotten panel of
worm fence 1t is doubtful whether any
State in the Union has now weaker
Senatorial representation than West
Virginia, though to their credit, it may
be SAID, that both her Senators try 10
make up in industry whatever they may
lack in other respects. Possibly active
mediocrity is betterthan passive profun-
dity, and a Senator who can shin around
the departments and get places for his
friends, is better than Websterian rep
resentative who can only rise TO the
height of great occasion, and ordinar-
lily leaves his office seeking constituents
TO SHIFT Cor themselves; but however the
State may feel on this subject, there are
a good many aspirants who entertain
strong convictions as TO the untitness of
the present incumhents, land, transposing
Brother Beccher's remarks, say in the
anguish of their souls, 81 would have
been Il better man in his place.
For short term place, which, as be-
fore stated, is to be filled by the next
Legislature, Governor Henry NJ. Math-
ewS, the present Chief Executive of the
State, seems likely TO be lleretord's
strongest competitor,
TIE GEOGRAPHICAL ARGUMENT.
The geographical argument prevails
strongly in this locality, and the average
West Virginia politician, if called upon
to build tabcrnacles for Moses and Elias,
would probably inquire first whether
both of these gentlemen were from the
same district DO not mean to intimate
that any Of the material in use or in
prospect resembles the prophets, but
merely to indicate the feeling here-that
the Senior Senator being from this end
of :hc State his colleague muStnecessar-
ilv come from the other. The necessity
OF the rule is not rs apparent as its gen
eral acceptance. Should it hold in this
case lis effects would he to confine the
choice to the FirS, or Third districts,
with the chances in favor OF tie latter.
There would he no dealth of candidates
in either case. From the Third, besides
the incumbent, there are mentioned the
present Governor; Tx Governor Price,
who once held the position by the EX-
ecutive appointment hardly long enough
To take the chill off the seat for his sue
cessor; Congressman Kenna, who, by
reason of his mullitudinous promises,
has earned the title of the most promls-
inc Young man in the Kanawha Valley,
and HON Ecu Butler declared a mighty
good creenbacker at home, but mighty
poor greenbacker at Washington; Judge
Ferguson, who is set down as having
more brains and less reputation thar
any man in the State; Judge Ward, who
invented a magic relief liniment that,
like Mulberry Sellers eye water, "made
every man who did not have sore eyes
have 'em;" and several others OF lesser
prcten,ions. Should the geographical
rule he broken over, it would let in still
further accessions of talent. Congress
man Ben Wilson, who is the most &C
tiye,it not the most efficient of the pres
ent Congressional delegation from the
/ State, would be backed for the place
J. n. Camden, above referred to, would
be a prominent candidate; Judge Bran
non, of Weston, would be pushed by
his own section, and Judge Jackson or
ParkersLurg, has been recently men
/ toned.
Coming back to predictions again it
seems 10 be the best matured opinion OF
political observers here that Mathews
J will get the place. Democrats and Re
publicans unite in the agreement that
+ l.. Las uode an pycelleDI Governor, and