Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-08-25
LENGTHY ACCOUNT OF THE WORK
By the Register's Special Wire.

morning is mucn more dulllalSu tuau IL
was last night and things now look
decidedly like convention. The complica-
tions that were threatened at the outstart
have been averted, the Greenback fusion
gently laid to rest, and with it Chairman
Atkinson's plan of salvation for his party
in this district. All the leaders Of the party
are unqualifiedly
Opposed to a Fusion,
and every delegate that I have met ex-
.presses himself as dead set against it, ,ex-
cept Nels Hoffman,, and his influence
is not liable to change the status
in the least. Judge Hoke came
here at midnight, Wednesday, and has not
had time to rest since his arrival. He is
the fixed center of a constantly changing
galaxy of politicians and delegates, aud his
popularity, if gauged by the attention that
ia paid him, cannot be estimated. lie takes
matters very lightly, and his bearing is not
likely to lose him any support. He is
man of fine attainments, and as the head
of several secret societies in this State, has
acquired an acquaintance and influence
that will be valuable to him in case Of nom
inatiop. The Preston county delegation,
the largest present, is enthusiastically
i'm favor of him and demand as a conception
to Preston's vote, that he be nominated.
Hoke Has Won the United support
of Handy, Hampshire, Pendleton, Mineral
and one or two other counties or votes, al
most sufficient to nominate him on the first
ballot. Drawing him aside this morning
for moment asked him his own idea Of
the situation.
II promised my wife and myself to stay
out Of politics some time ago and almost
feel like adhering to my promise. | have
done nothing myself for the nomination.
Have written no letters Have not gone
away from home, and done nothing looking
to its acquisition. Whatever has been done
has been done by friends not at my instance.
have been asked by letter and by petition
To become a candidate in 50 many ins tances
and so unanimously and courteouslY that
if the nomination were rendered nae with
a great degree Of unanmity OF course
could not refuse. / have given my name
to my friends with a reservation. | want
to know in the first place how the ground
lies before | commit myself l. think the
Republicans have a grand opportunity"
notice this morning here large num-
Der of delegates to the recent convention
at Keyser, all on the glG rire for develop.
ments, which they feverishly await. The
Democratic feeling is plainly in favor OF
tn Kitchen movement and many express
their
disappointment at Its Miscarriage.
S. L. Mccormick is lodging about among
the delegates with reference 90 his chances,
but am told that he is meeting with little
If any encouragement. Some of the more
knowing ones say that his candidacy is
only for the purpose OF weakening MaSOn's
chances. Mccormick is intensely envious
of Mason's popularity, and will antaSonlze
each step Mason makes.
Major w. c. MCCirew, OF MonCngalia, has
lust come in and tells me that his county IS
for Hoke nearly solid after complimentlng
Marsh HaganS. This accession il the figures
] have already given stand, will nominate
Hoke on second ballot. Mason it is now
stated is developing plenty OF: latent
strength and which needs only a little en-
couragement to burst into boom. His
fine presence. genial manners and natural
difiidence tells we'll for him with all dele
gates.
Butts possibilities are becoming more re-
mote each hour and will be out Of sight
before the day is far spent.
Some of FliCk's admirers are urging him
TO consent TO stand, but he told me that
bird in the hand beat three in the bush and
he could not afford it.
The Larger elcyatiOns,
such as Preston, Berkeley, Monongalia and
Jefferson are caucuSng here now with
reference to settling upon plan OF opera
tions and arranging for the organization OF
the convention.
Charlie Shinn says it is all dry with
Kitchen here, but nevertheless he will
present his name for purposes outside OF
the convention.
General Erown. OF Grafton, formerly
Collector Of this district, is here actively at
work for Mason. He - thinks now that
Mason will he nominated. and figures in
this way, Barbour Tucker, Randolph and
TAYLOR will 20 solid for him, Hampshire
Hardy, Monongalia and Marion will divide
up their delegations, and after the first
ballot give a large proportion OF their votes
TO Mason. He will have over one hundred
votes to 60 in with.
The clOseness of the contest between
Mason and BoSe is alarming the friends OF
both, and every county delegation is now
engaged in holding caucus. w. q. Wor-
lev, of Preston county, and Hoke's law part
ner, thinks that dark horse is very iml-
nent.
l.. NJ. Wade. one OF the L. S. gaugerS at
Martinsburg says that dark horse is now
certain, and thinks that Hagans or McCor-
mix have no show for the chance.
The Convention.
The Court House at Fairmont was the
only available place for the holding OF the
convention, and it is wretchedly small and
inconvenient in all OF its departments
like all the old Virginia buildings. The
building itself is large enough for all prac-
teal purposes, but the interior arrange
ments were arranged with anything but a
reference to economy Of space or comfort
by the delegates, and. the room for outsid-
ers was very limited The one redeeming
feature about the room was its good venti-
lation, the architect evidently having an
idea OF this property in advance Of his ideas
of building generally.
On the right of the chair the Pendlcton,
Hardy and Hempsnirc delegates were
grouped, while on the left the larger delegl-
tions from Berkeley and Jefferson were
seated. Fronting the chair on the night
were the Preston, Grant, Mineral, Randolph
and Barbour delegates. On tie left the
Mouonsalia, Morgan. Marion, Tucker and
Tay lor delegates occupied the limited space
allotted to them.
The committee OF arrangements had done
the best they could to make things conf
Portable, and they did very we'll under the
circumstances. Clarence Smith, Esq,
Democratic clerk of the courts, took an in.
terest in the affair, and did more than any
one man 10 make the room have neat and
comfortable appearance.
Opening Session.
Atl0:30, the delegates all hurriedly as
sembled. y. \. Hoffman, chairman OF the
Congressional Committee, called the con-
vention to order and said: This is one OF the
happiest moments that / have seen for
many years. 1t looks to me az il the Re-
publicans were waking up. 1tappears that
there is some life about the old thing yet
want no Kcyser proceedings in this con-
vention. This is not a mans convention;
principles should rule here rather than
men. IL cannot get my man. I'll take
the next one and go To work in his support
for all that is in me. hope that peace and
harmony will prevail, which are the source
of all strength. Mr.. Hoffman then an
nounced the name of Mr.. Solomon V. lan-
It's, OF Jefferson county, as temporary chair
man.
Al l.