The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-19
WEST VIRGINIA. POLITICS.

SPECIAL Correspondents ol tue Sio'uIAuu NoA"s'
LODI, ONO, July Il.
Your correspondent was lately thrown
in the company Of Judge r. II. Cochran
of Wheeling, W. Va, and enjoyed some
pleasant rides with him in these regions,
where this gentleman is at present engag'
ed in looking up the interests Of the
Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, with
which enterprise he is to considerable
extent connected. Mr.. Cochran lisa staunch
active Republican, and is prominent fig
ure-head in West Virginia politics. He
has always taken an active part In the
political campaign in his own and adjoin-
ing States, and he is exceedingly well post
ed in the political situation in his little
mountain State.
elbow did the Chicago nomination suit
your people JudgeP" asked your cores
pondent.
"Oh, first rate. The best that could
have been made. Ithas made US solid and
united down there. Nextto Blaine-who
by the way, was my first choice b Garfield
can poll the biggest vote in our State OF
any man in the Republican party, and
we are oil 10 a man working like beavers
for his success"
GLOW will your State go this fall?"
swell, sir, am quite safe in saying that
Garfield will come out ahead with nice
round majority"
%What makes you think sO?"
"Why, everything; we have never been
Ill hat n hnmn
has never been in such splendid and
united condition. And then, our Demo-
cratic friends are mixed up in bitter in-
ternal strife and warfare which is wea ken
ing their ranks, and there is not the least
sign that the breach will heal up soon, or
for several years TO come. Lewis Baker,
OF the Wheeling Register, very able and
energetic man, and a strong partisan, who
has been the leader Of the West Virginia
Democracy since the formation oil our State
in 'OS, champions one Of the factions, and
| can tell you there Is no let up on him
when he once makes up his mind. He is
quite ably seconded, though In an under
handed way, fighting his brethren in his
own household by Henry S. Walker OF
Charleston, former partner with him in
the Rsqiaer, who is also entitled TO the
distinction OF being one Of the fathers Of
the West Virginia Democracy, but who
has lately cast his fortunes under the
Greenback banner, and who ia making a
stand as Greenback candidate in the Third
Congressional District. Walker Is doing
his best to keep the strife red hot among
the old line Bourbons, as II insures his
success for an election. So you see this
fellow Is playing q sort OF political MePhiss.
topholes. Well, let them hack and slash
one another and pull their hair, We can
look on with very calm serenity. 1t will
only make the State so much the surer for
Garfield and the Republican ticket."
"How is the Congressional outlook"
"The nominations have not all been
made yet. John A. Hutchinson, OF Par
kersburg, has been nominated on the Re.
publican ticket in the First District, and
will undoubtedly be elected. The district
gave a small majority against us last cleo
ton; butt am confident we will overcome
that this fall and elect him with hand.
some majority. The chances now seem
TO favor the election Of Ii. S. Walker, the
Greenback candidate in the Third. The
Second will probably so Democratic, as
that includes the counties on the Virginia
line back from the river, and the rebel ele.
ment predominates there more than any
where else In the State"
"How about Hancock? You have pro.
badly heard and thsughta good deal about
him latelyY
Hancock shall put him down as a
shoulder strapped demsgogue II he per.
mits himself to be made the tool OF North.
ern office seekers and Southern Brigadiers.
All, yes, he is very nice sort Of man;
Of course his political record is nice and
clean, because he hasn't any TO run on.
Never had any, never will have any. He
is a negative, q nobody in the political
arena aud will only be known as the tool
Of the Coniederacy in 1880 II pompous
airs, fine military figure and good looks
were the requisites for the Chiei Magistrate
Of this country, he might be elected. But
think this country wants something bet
ter than soldierly 6gure-head."
"Of course you have considerable inter.
course with prominent Southern people.
How do they feel towards the North and
how are their political sentiments now2"
"Yes, l have had considerable inter-
course with many Southern people.
took an extended trip through Virginia
and the two Carolinas early in the sum.
mer, aud found myself in pleasant social
relations with some OF its leading and
prominent people. Well you all know the
upper class down. there are Chivalrous
and hospitable set; enjoyed myself
finely. As TO the political outlook down
therei Il looks indeed dark for our party,
and, sir, . great.deAl darker yet for the
future aud the material welfare Of those
States. As long as intolerance, intimida-
ton and political bull.doEing reign RAM
pant, so long will the iutureo the South.
ern States be shrouded In veil OF black.
ness. They must have free ballot and
full political freedom. But / had rather
not say much on this subject. think | |
understand their condition well. think