Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-01-08

Fey In the following article from
the Cincinnati: Commercial our readers
! will fad q fair statement: OF what sp-
pears TO be the position aud prospects
Of the u. S. Senatorial contest in this
State:-
Tue WEST VIRGINIA CoNTEsT.-The
canvass has been narrowing down TO
| three contestants for the caucus nomina-
| ton of the Democratic party, viz: Messrs.
J. n. Camden, Hereford, and Mathews,
all active politicians of somewhat vary
ing shades Of partisan opinion, who have
had more or less experience III public al
fairs. and who, though OF different de-
grees OF ability, nay be properly regard,
ed as coming up 70 the modern standard
of intellectual fitness for the position to
which they are aspiring. AS the matter
now stands, Camden is supposed to have
tie best chance for the nomination, main
IL because he is understood TO have in
his favor the potent influence ofthe Bal
timore & Ohio Railroad Company, which
il most impor tans factor in West Viz
GINA politics. But, on the other hand,
Hereford and Mathews are unremittIng
in their efforts to succeed; and as each OF
them has host of friends VINO are adVo-
eating their respective claims with great
energy and zeal. il is not at al unlikely
that the forces arrayed against each oth-
er in this triangular fight will be so even
" balanced as 10 give neither OF the con-
testants any preponderance, and so cause
dead lock in the caucus, which Will al
low the Legislature TO take up Z compro-
mise candidate, as has more than once
been the case in West Virginia, as well as
in other States, and, under existing cir
cumstanCes, may readily happen again.
Whenever such contingencies have
heretofore occurred, ard the members OF
the Legislature have been left 20 the free
and unbiased exercise of their individual
judgement in selecting a Senator, the
choice which they themselves have made
in open session, has, in every instance,
been quite as good, If not better, than
those sought to be made for them in Sc
cret by the astuts manipuiations OF
nominating caucus.
In illustration ofthis remark it Is only
necessary to cite the case Of the two gem
rlemen now representing West virginia
in the United States Senate, Messrs.
Davis and Hereford, whose friends, when
thev recall the circumstances of their
election, will remember that they are in
Gchtcl for their presest position not 80
much TO CAUCUS nomination OF their
own party rs to coalition OF Repubh-
cans and Democrats in the Legislature
that elected them. And it is fair to infer
that the State will not be the lo0ser ii
there shall bc-another Deadlock in the
legislative Democratic caucus, so that the
largest liberty may DC accorded TO the
members Of the Legislature in making
their selection,
For there arc number Of prominent
gentlemen connected with the Democrat
&c Conservative party Of West Virginia OF
whom 1t Is safe 20 say that they are quite
AS we'll qualified for & TN the United
States Senate as are the three distinguish
ed aspirants named aboTc-sTch men, for
example, rs Judge Jackson, EX-GOyernor
Price, Charle5 J. Faulkner, Alexander
Is. Boteler, Judge Brannon, William a.
Quarter. Colonel Ben. Wilson, william
Il. Traycrs, 3. +. Martin, Judge Cam
den, and others. Thcse gentlemen are
ali pronounced Democrats and strict par
t. men, with the exception Of Mr.. Bote-
Ter, who, thOngh ne has voted with the
Democracy since the war, Il Independent
in his politics and diners from the leaders
OF tho dominant party in his State in ad-
herring 10 the principles and policy OF the
old Wing party, Of which ne was dlstln-
guishcl champion in ANTE BELLuM days.
Eo Is an outSpoken tariff man, being In
favor cfthe protection Of American In
dustries, as we'll IS an ardent friend OF
popular education and an active promoter
Of internal improvements.