Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-05
PRELIMINARY NOTES
From the Scene Of To-Day's Con-
gresslonal Convention.
Speculations as to Who the Democrats of
the Seventeenth Ohio District
VIII Choose for Their
Standard-Beareh
A REVIEW OF THE CANDIDATES
Special % the ReoSSter.

A REVIEW OF THE CANDIDATES,
| Special 10 the ReoLster,
1T. CLAIRsyILLE, September 4.-There are
very few delegates here yet, but the indi-
cations are, from the assurances received,
that all the counties in the district will
send delegations nearly full. There is a
pretty general feeling at present in this
| district that the disaffection toward Upde-
| grad is Of such magnitude that it will tend
| TO his defeat if the Democrats make nomi-
nation that shall be generally acceptable to
the people
All over the District.
Who that man Viii be is still matter of
conjecture, but who it could be is no con-
lecture. find but one sentiment here and
that is for the nomination of Hon. Josiah
NJ. EStep, OF Harrison county, and the hesi-
tatiOn of the gentleman to take hold only
| seems 70 aggravate the desire for his nomi-
nation. He is man of large ideas, broad
and liberal education and in his private life
| IS uneNceptiOnable. His influence and
| judgment have been felt in the politics not
only of this Congressional district, but are
| recognized in
State and National Affairs.
He went into a contest with Hon. John
a. Bingham, in the-old Sixteenth District,
at one time, and ran far ahead of his ticket
but the judiciOuS composition of the dis
trict by the Ohio Legislature was too much,
even for good man, and he was defeated.
That campaign and the impression he made
on his constituents left q lasting and favor
able impression upon them, and he has
been repeatedly asked TO again make the
canvass, but large practice and q native
repugnance 10 the work required of him
so far prevented his acceptance of the NOM
ination. Mr.. Estep has been in constant
receipt of letters from every voting pre-
cinCt in the district
Urging Him 90 Accept.
but his uniform answer has been that he
cannot. A prominent politician of ST.
Clairsyille wrote him in regard to the mat
ter, last week, and from the reply, which
was shown us, We give the following ex.
tracts:
Il cannot after reflection. consent TO the
use of my name before the Convention at
ST. Clairsyille, although it is against my
feelings as al old wheel-horSe of Democr4-
Cy. The condition OF my affairs are such,
however, that l cannot in justice to my
self come out on this occasion. Let no To-
cal prejudlces, however, prevent tn enom;-
nation of good man, and if
Ross Alexander
will accept, he is the man."
1t would seem. therefore from the tenor
of the letter Of Mr.. Estep, that he is not
candidate, and has no ambition to make the
canvass. But the same gentleman who
showed me his letter assured me that the
nomination would be forced upon him
HOt'RS rOlciiS, and in that event he would
probably accept f:Om the "sEe4r force of
the unanmity.'
Another objection that Mr.. Estep urges
i that in the event of his election he will
only he allowed one term, as the Republi-
cans will at the next election nominate
some acceptable man who will reconcile
the differences in the district and be elected
been assured that in all prObaDfhtsp has
next Legislature OF Ohio
wiIIbe Democratic.
and such q disposion OF the counties in the
Stste can be made as will assure his reten-
tiOn. ,-,
Prominently after Mr.. Estep comes the
Hon Ross J. Alexander, OF Bridgeport,
Who is said to be the ablest man on either
side in the district. He has Signihed his
Willingness to make the canvass II he shall
receive the nomination and as his abilities
on the stump are recognized by both parties
II il hardly likely then any joint discus
sions will take place between him and Dr.
In Questioning the leading politicians
here in regard to Mr.. Alexander chances
I fnd that there is considerable opposition
to him fonly for the nomination. among
some rather important factors. Ihe beIialre
Democrats and also the anti.Updegrat Re
nnblicans are opposed to him on account
6f his stand against them in the Ohio House
of Representatives on the county seat re
moval question. =.
Clairsyille,
CherI>hes n Feeling of Revenge
,g.;pst Mr.. Alexander on account OF the
Istter's preference for Judge Kelley IN tne
last judicial struggle in Monroe anu bel
mont counties. James Regan, ol TINS Town,
also has a vivid recollection OF the rednctlon
| Nf his salary as clerk in the office OF the
Ohio Commissioner of Schools, when Mr..
Alexander was chairman of the Committee
ON Finance in the House of Representa-
| tiyCS. IA
Gitor CofIland have also
No Very Friendly Feelings
| for him. while number Of smaller Try
| second their opposition. Outside OF this
| diSafFection Mr.. Alexander is really strong
| man in the district, and unless mss my
! guess, ne will be the nominee OF the con,
| yention. A prominent Republican tola
! me that Alexander would poll more votes
| in Belmont county than any Democrat who
] could be nominated. HIS action In taVor
! of ST. Clairsyille as the county seat whlle
/ member of the Legislature has been grate-
| fully remembered by the people here ana
| by all the surrounding township, ana large
| numbers of Republicans will support nm
| not only on this account but because oi
their dislike of Updegrat.
Another man whose name Is being urgeu
bv his friends for the nomination IS
Newell KennOn,
| of ST. Clairs lille, q rising young lawyer oil
| Belmont county, and one OF the most orll-
liant men in Southern Ohio. Mr.. hennon
is under thirty years Of age, but his iriendS
| saw that this will make no difference, as ne
| makes mn in qualifications what he lacks
| in age. =
Another candidate is Vim. Borton, ot
! Gnrrpsy county. a wealthy former lawyer,
who lives at Fairview, ana IS SAID 10 De
anxious TO make the canvass. Other names
are mentioned incidentally, and this after:
| noon heard that Mr.. c. NJ. Gsnmer, OF
the Ga,site, was 4 strong possibility as Is
also W. II. Arnold, of the Cadlz ~c"'"'e''
The Convention
will meet tomorrow, in Weldy hall, al IL
| o'clock A. NJ, and will be called TO oruer 0y
g n Allen, of Bellsire, chairman OF the
District Committee. Hon. ]. II. s: Taylor
of Steubenville, has been selected BY the
| District Committee for temporary char
! man, and W. II. Arnold, Esq, OF the Cadlz
Se,tilel, for temporary secretary. The de-
sire is that the business of the Convention
| should be expedited as much as possible SO
| tbstit will be completed in time to afford
all sn opportunity to hear the speeches OF
| Pendletor and Newman.
The following Committees
have charge of the preliminaries:
On Finance-Addison Thompson, FRANK
L. Rice, Joshua Woriey, W. b. Cash.
! Hall and Decoration-COl. J. +. Charles
worth, John Ferren, Alex. Barrett, Joseph
Mellor, +. ID. Bailey.
Reception of Speakers-Hon. r. L, Cham
| berS w Shannon, W. y. Coffiand.
General Committee OF Arrangements
Hamilton Eaton, o. ]. Swaney, Jesse t.
Meyer, Jas. b. Ryan, C. \. Gaumer;
| IL, Eaorc,a " pandletOn and Hon. j.