Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-08-31

this city on Saturday night.
Fortunately The REGISTER was not
under the same obligations, and 1t.
therefore, did not infiict upon its read
ers that much dead matter.
We have q better opinion Of our con-
temporary's judgment Of what is read
able and what not, than to suppose that
1t gave space to Mr.. SrURcIss' speech
through any considerations OF merit or
demand from the people for that char
acter of discussion. Every days mail
brings better. iresher, more readable
and pertinent political discussion than
that of Mr.. SrURGIss' speech.
The REGISTER had been seeking an
opportunity to report him, that all the
people might know what issues the
champion OF the Republican party Is
making with the dominant party OF the
State. We had heard that he was max
ing great professions, great promises,
and giving unbounded assurances that
he and his party would inaugurate
new era OF prosperity and progress for
West Virginia. We naturally supposed
that the specific plans and purposes OF
his party would be found crystalized
and eloquently summarized in the
speech of the candidate for Governor.
We knew also that Mr.. S. had come to
Wheeling with a carefully prepared
speech, containing doubtless, conden-
sation OF what he regards as the most et-
iective arguments in behalf oil
his party, hoping and expect
ing that from this point his speech
would obtain a wide circulation through
the daily journals. He was so careful
as to write out his speech and read 1t to
an impatient audience. Ii the REGIS
TER could have discovered aught in his
speech that would have interested the
readers OF either party, it would, in ac-
cordance with its custom OF giving It's
readers the benefit OF whatever is fresh
iorcible or pertinent, from whatever
standpoint it may come, have presented
his whole argument TO the public, even
at the expense OF important news mat
ter.
But We are as honest as We are frank
when We say that there is little or nothing
in MIR. SruRGIss' conception OF the cam
paiyn that will strike the popular sense.
He has nothing to say upon either Ma
tional or State issues that the people
care to hear about. what
boots il at this time to show what rela-
tons the parties held to questions OF
slavery and other issues settled by the
war? What instruction or hope Is de-
rived from a contrast OF the great State
of New York with that OF West Viz
ginia? What school boy does not know
that the geography of the two States
makes such a comparison for such u
purpose unfair and ridiculous?
But even il there were any lair con-
clusion to be drawn from such COMPARE
sons by way OF showing that political
influences made the difference, the only
logical inference would be that New
York, being naturally and i'll fact, a
Democratic State had reached her I'M
mense proportions OF wealth and popu-
lation Inv that varv iact--that she has
| been under Democratic influence anu
control-while West Virginia received a
bligh, from which she has not yet re-
covered, by having been subjected to
the arbitrary and depopul'ting policy OF
the Republican party in her early his
tory.
Now, we DO not propose any system
attic analysis or review OF Mr.. SruRGIss'
speech. We are entirely content that
it shall 90 to the people ior all that it is
worth. But We have this suggestion to
make: Ii the Republican party OF this
State expect 10 obtain supremacy they
must show some substantial reasons
therefor that will convince the people;
il they are not satisfied with the pro.
gress and degree OF prosperity in this
State, they must point out wherein 1t
can be improved; ii they would estab-
lish their claims and professions to be-
ing the party OF progress, they must
be able to explain in what specific way
and by what means they propose to pro-
pei and improve matters.
The people are intelligent. They are
disposed to take Mr.. :. at his word,
when he says that there is not much re-
lance to he placed in partisan declara-
tons. At least, they want them to be
specific. II the Republican party have
anything specific to offer the people OF
West Virginia neither their candidate
for Governor, nor the numerous lesser
lights have yet made it appear. They
all have great many curses for what is,
but no plans or propositions by which
to reveal what is to he, il they obtain
control in the State. Unfortunately for
the Republican party, its record in West
Virginia by which only it must be
Judged, must fade out OF the memory
OF this generation before it can hope
again to be trusted with the reins OF
power.
Judged by it's record it is not tit to
govern. Judged by the best showing
its candidate for Governor can make, IT
is absolutely without policy or speci-
fic promise. The appeals OF the Repab-
lican leaders in this State for restora-
ton OF their party to power, are about
the thinest, most sordid, and unsubstan-
tial with which any party ever went
into campaign. When their argu-
men,s and appeals fail to interest or