The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-26
The Election OF DAVIS and Hereford Ms U.
A. Senators In 1877.

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n. Senators In 1877.
Tho Wheeling Register published an edi-
toral last week to show that the Republican
members Of the West Virginia Legislature
Of 1877 we're not important factors, but
rather mere make:weiShts, in the election
Of Messrs. Davis and Hereford as U. 5.
Senators on the Goth OF January OF that
year. We know not what personal or po-
lidcal purpose the editor has in view in
making such a statement at this late day,
but in answer thereto We propose to sub
nit the following history Of the election
OF the two gentlemen named.
At no time were Davis and Hereford
able 10 command the necessary votes In
the Democratic caucus to procure noni-
nation, The Democrats had GS members
in tie Legislature and 80 votes was neces.
sary to make caucus nomination when
all were present. The highest vote Here
ford ever received in caucus was Is, and
the highest Davis ever received was ~ On
the other hand, tho Republicans, who cast
% votes in tho Legislature, could almost
any day have elected either Price or Faux
ner BY adding thoirvotes to the votes that
they received. On Wednesday, January
q, both these gentlemen received 24yotes
each in the jointassembly for the election
Of Senators, and the % Republican votes
added to what they received would have
given them two more than was necessary
for an election.
On Friday, the "Gth Of January, the
Republicans, having previously agreed
upon their plan, went over in body to
Davis and Hereford and elected them.
OF course the record shows that they re-
ceiyed enough Democratic votes 10 elect
them without tho Republican vote, but, rs
is well known, it was not until the Demo-
Gratis saw in the joint assembly that the
Republicans were voting solidly for these
two that they cut loose from their other
candidates and had their names recorded
on the winning side. The day following the
INrELLldEScRR published the following
editorial comments on the result, under
the head OF "The Senatorial Coup d'Etat
Yesterday:
The Democratic members Of the Legis.
lature had no idea OF electing two United
States Senators yesterday, but q Hepnb-
lican member who was posted remarked,
rs the Joint assembly was taking its seat,
"Look out for fun to-day" And, sure
enough, there was fun.
The Republicans had come to an un-
Outstanding several nights ago, In a little
quiet caucus held at the Grant House,
that whenever they could get in their
work to advantage they would 60 solidly
for Henry G. Davis and Frank Hereford
ms choice OF evils among the Demo-
cratic candidates.
They picked put these two men because
Of their desire to stem the Confederate
tide that has been running rampant in
this State since the nominations in
Charleston last Juno. Both OF them have
Union anteCedents, lone was Union sol.
dier,) and to this iact they owe their cleo
ton. They wero yesterday elected by the
Republicans. But for the Republicans It
is doubtful whether either OF them would
have finally succeeded.
BY tho same reasoning Messrs. Price
and Faulkner, and especially Mr.. Faux
ner, owe their defeat to their Confederate
antccedents, and more particularly to the
fact that it seemed Us II no politician, De-
mocrat or Republican, was TO have any
status hereafter in West Virginia unless
he could show II Confederate record. Mr..
Faulkner carried the business too far by
letting the public know that he had writ
ton all of Stonewall Jackson's reports.
That boast became an ofIense in the nos
trils OF many Democrats and OF oil the Re-
publicans Union people OF all shades
have been surfeitcd with that sort OF stuff.
They want no more OF it.
1t ia thus that every excess brings on
its natural reaction. The Confederate
element among the Democracy had their
day in the fall election. They carried
everything before them at Charleston last
summer and filed the State ticket almost
solid with Conicderates. The people made
note OF the fact Mt the time. Union De-
mocrats swallowed the dose with many
wry faces, reserving their dispeasure for
suitable occasion, and the Republicans
were easily educated up TO the point oil
voting for Union Democrat in order to
get even with these greedy followers Of
the lost cause.
When the time came yesterday at which
the Republican vote would elect Messrs.
Davis aud Hereford they received it, SEN
ator Scott leading off, as the color bearer,
for the long term; and Delegate Riley, OF
Jackson county, for the short torn; and
thus the Job was done. When the De-
lnocracy saw that theywere being beauti-
fully hOisted by the Republican potard
they became completely demoralized, 80
much so US 10 lose control OF their organi-
zation, and were compelled to fall in with
the tide and change their votes to Davis
aud Hereford.
The result was OF course the talk Of the
town yesterday, and generally speaking
people OF all shades OF politics are salts
fled, mainly for the reason given, the same
reason that actuated the Republicans in
making choice among the Democratic
candidates. tits thought that a timely re-
bIkc has been administered to the Stars
and Bars element. Hereafter they may
probably go slower.
This leaf from the record OF 1877 looks q
little as II the Republicans had had some.
thing OF moment to do with determining
the result Of the Senatorial contest. We
cannot say that the result was anything to
feel specially proud OF in personal point
OF view, but 1t was tho best the Republic.
cans could do-their choice OF evils-and
they made their choice accordingly. They
rebuked the test Of Confederate antece.
dents rs a qualification for Office in West
Virginia, and this was their particular OBJ.
ject.
As things look to-day, the Republicans
will be stronger in the legislature of 1881
than they we're in that Of 1877, and II they
cannot elect Senator OF their own faith,
it is quite probable that they will be