The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-01

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West VIrgInia-A Visit TO Moundsyiiie
The Case OF Ice.
WHEELING, W. Va, Dec. "a.
Special cO1ep .ndenes Of the Cleveland Herald.
During the brief period that | have spent
in this State have been frequently asked
how Ohio people felt in reference to the
Presidential candidacy, and the Democrats
with whom l converted appeared rather
afraid OF either Grant or Sherman az the
Republican nominee. One prominent
Democrat was sure that Ohio was for
Grant because OF the enthusiastic recep-
ton that he met with at Columbus and
Cincinnati, while another said: "John
Sherman carries your State in his fingers,
and when he goes home to mend his
fences the Buckeyes bow" Mr.. Lewis
Baker, OF the Wheeling Register, thought
that the Republicans OF West Virginia
would be for Grant, although there was
some feeling for Blaine and Sherman.
"Will West Virginia give Grant ma.
iority II the General Is the nominee"
"0h! ne, your party can't overcome our
majority, butt will probably do as well
by Ulysses as any one."
There are some very strong Republicans
in West Virginia. fully as radical aud stall.
wart US those OF Ohio. The fact that
many OF them remember tho terrible
scenes OF the war from personal expert.
ence OF rebel infections does not render
them any the less firm in their OPPOSE
ton to anything bearing Confederate
tinge. There Is Veteran Union Soldiers
Association in Wheeling, and as staunch
upholders OF the flag belong to 1t as ever
met.
Mr.. A. W. Campbell, OF the INrELLIoES.
cEn (Republican), said to me when ! was
looking up the case OF Eli Ice: THAT man
is not wronged, and the further you go
the more you will be convinced that what
/ say Is true. II he had been confined In
Moundsville prison unjnstly, we would
have seen him righted. There would have
been no need at any time OF Ohio soldiers
interfering"
In referring to the same case Governor
Mathews remarked 10 your correspondent:
"You must remember that when Ice was
tried Democrats were allowed no voice, or
scarcely any, in the government OF the
State. Ex.Confederates could not hold
town offices or sit on juries, and know
OF one town that visited where the vii
lage offices were all filled by four men
(Republicans), who likewise did all the
voting that was required"
The formerly disfranchised have now
not the slightest ground for complaint
surely. Indeed 1t Is rather Encouraging
TO the patriotic ex.Union soldiers to know
that men who were rampant rebels are
filing remunerative Offices, while they
have difficulty perhaps in gaining fair
livelihood. Had some one besides an ex-
rebel colonel been In charge Of the West
Virginia penitentiary much OF the talk OF
the prosecutions" Of Eli Ice would have
been avoided. Neither Superintendent
Bridges fame or appearance are apt TO
inspire confidence, and the very looks Of
the guard whom first saw on the day OF
my visit TO the prison gave me poor
opinion oil the management within AT the
outset.
While passing through the Penitentiary
under the direction OF Mr.. ]. E. Hogan,
whom found to be very intelligent gen.
tleman, observed some things to be COM
mended and others that could be criti'
cised. l did not, Of course, expect to gain
much of knowledge Of the inside work
ings OF the institution from the one brief
visit, and throw out these hints with the
view that perhaps some bright Wheeling
reporter will take the trouble to investi-
gate the bad points in the Penitentiary
completely and at length. The food OF
the conyicts should be looked after. What
I saw laid out for dinner was as uninvi-
ting repast as could possibly be i'm
agined, and ayoung man who had often
visited the prison, and was perfectly IA
miliar with the fare OF the inmates, re-
marked 10 me that he wondered at the
prisoners not all being sick, as little OF
their victuals were fit to eat, Owing to
the dampness OF the cells many OF the
conyicts were afflicted with bad colds, and
the arrangement Of the heating apparatus
designed 10 remedy this was said to be In.
furious to the occupants Of certain cells.
Some painfully suggestive instruments Of
torture used, 1t was claimed, Tor punish
ing the unruly were visible, atfording
hints OF what might be done to those who
did not ;please His High Mightiness, the
rebel Colone. Superintendent.
The village OF Moundsvilles the county
seat OF Marshall county, lies among the
hills near the Ohio river, forming very
picturesque and attractive town in the
summer and q very ugly one during the
winter months. Moundsville derives It's
name from prehistoric OF Indian mound
which rears itself at little distance from
the Penitentiary, hiding the walls OF the
prison completely from good section OF
the village and the Baltimore Il Ohio
Railway. Eastern parties lately conceived
particular interest in the mound, and
with some unknown purpose are talking
OF purchasing It. Moundsvi!le is dullness
pefsonifed, and 1t represents the charac'
Ter OF many OF the towns oil the State.
What West Virginia needs to develop It's
resources, Mineral and otherwise, is rail-
road revival, and l am rejoiced TO be able
10 say that there are more prospects, OF this
taking place than for q long time past.
There are some exceedingly enterprising
people in Wheeling, and the beneficial
effect Of the improved condition Of the iron
and glass manufacture Is everywhere ap'
parent.
The daily newspapers OF Wheeling are
managed In an excellent manner, and dis
play considerable energy when outside
competition and the nature OF the terri
tory in which they circulate is regarded,
What may DO called the legitimate eoun'
try for their circulation Is not very large
and there Is great share Of the population
OF West Virginia unaccustomed TO reading
and not ,aring for dailies, even II they wert
situated so as TO readily obtain them
One OF the Wheeling journalists remarked
to me that between the Cincinnati, Cleye
land, Pittsburgh and Baltimore papers hi