Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-08-10
Mr.. Lucas Statement.
CHARLEsTowN, August Z,

Hon. LeCis Baker:
DEAR SIR-In reply to written request
from you to furnish statement from my
standpoint, of the issue between Judge
John Blair Hoge and myself, forward the
following brief recital.
The proposition that il / would Withdraw
and support Hoge, he wouldagree to receive
the nomination at the hands of my friends,
upon condition and pledge, on his part, not
to ask a denomination in 1882, emanated
from, him, or his friends and was communi-
Gated to me by the Hon. Frank Beckwith,
after the adjournment for supper He said
that this proposition had been made to him,
as friend Of mine, by friend Of Judge
Hoge, member OF the Berkeley delegation
Immediately referred Beckw1th to Hoge
to know whether the same was made by his
authority.
In the meantime, after Beckwith left me,
had an interview with Jno. Barton Payne,
who was mutual friend,
Preferring First MY Nomination.
and secondly that of Hoge. Upon consul
tation we agreed that my chances for the
nomination were not improving, and | told
him in the interest VI harmony, H'N.--s'
withdraw. He asked nae to wait until he
could see Judge Hoge, and l told him to do
so, and authorized him to do whatever he
deemed best. In short time he returned,
and informed ME, with every indication OF
great satisfaction, that Judge Hoge had
agreed not to ask a denomination two years
from that time, in case should be candi-
date, provided my friends would, upon my
withdrawal, vote for and nominate Hoge.
I expressed my satisfaction at this under
Standing and suggested to Payne that in
order to effect a nomination on the next
ballot and thus avoid all danger OF rupture,
Bradford ought to be withdrawn. He said
he would see Bradford.
then left the hotel and proceeded TO the
convention which was reassembling. did
not see Beckwith after his interview with
Hoge, not deeming it important, as fayne
had completed the understanding, which,
in substance. had been submitted TO me
through Beckwith.
Bradford's Name was Withdraw,
and proceeded to announce to the conven-
tion nv own withdrawal, which was greet
ed with great applause. / then saw Col.
Davenport, of the jefferson delegation, Mr.:
Osburre, OF Pocahontas, and Mr.. Wood, OF
Mononealia, and informed them Of the un-
derstanding, and thus. with the assistance
of the Preston delegation, Judge Hoge was
nominated by a majority OF frf and a trac'
tion. 1t is therefore absolutely certain,
and true beyond all controversy, tina! he
owed his nomination TO the understanding
with Payne, and to that alone. did not
understand, at the time, nor. ! pre-.
sumo, did Judge Hoge. that the under
standing was entered into purely for per-
sonal ends. The adjournment before sup
| per had been brought about by Judge
Hoge's friends in manner which had ex-
asperated the friends of Mr.. Martin; we
were right OIL the heels OF the State con-
ventioH, and continuation OF the dead
lock was fraught with danger OF rupture;
We believed the Eastern counties entitled
to the nomination for the next two terms,
and we also believed that IL Judge Hoge
would accept it for one term only, be could
| be nominated,
And Not Otherwise.
He knew this as well as we did, and there
| fore il was that, in the interest oil harmony,
| and for the welfare OF the district, we AL
| assented TO the understanding, without
any thought that, under the circumstances,
there was involved any departure from the
true standard OF political ethics. No one
ever dreamed OF asking Judge Hoge to sup
port me in 1882 as a part OF the considera.
| tion. I never heard any such suggestion
| from any source whatever, nor did any one
| else. The condition was plain and simple,
| that Hoge should not be a candidate Tor re.
| nomination. This was we'll understood at
| the time, and never until eighteen months
after, did any one ever suggest or hear OF
any other agreement or understanding
| whatever.
| Mr.. Payne, especially, acted from the
Highest and Purest Motives.
He had not the slightest personal interest;
| He was the mutual friend OF both Hoge and
myself. trusted and confded in by both,
| mediating between Us for the good OF the
| party. So high-toned and sensitive was
| be that when both Hoge's friends and mine
| rendered him the eleotorship he dectned. lest
| II sbouId he supposed that he had the
| slightest personaiinterest in bringing about
| a harmonious termination OF our delibera'
| tjons. Under these circumstances, j nov
| deliberately denounce the attempt 10 i'm
| reach the yerscity and tarnish the fair fame
| of Mr.. Payne, as one of the most dishonor'
| able and .disgraceful devices 70 which
| an unholy ambition ever descended.
| The refusal of Messrs. CoIston and Stew
art to reply to my letters hereto annexed
addressed TO them by myself, isa
| Taeit Confession - The1-
Judge Faulkner declines 70 answer thu
| statements of my letter because OF bis OH
ciaI position. but here reaffirm the state
ments therein made. and charge, more
over. that Gen. Joseph Sprisy has IN hii
possession and has read in public lettel
OF Judge Faulkner. a copy OF which hav!
seen, which according 70 my understand
ing Of it, fully confirms Mr.. Payne. and
now challenge tte production or publication Q
said letter.
The attempt to introduce other parties d
! prove that Mr.. Payne denied that there va
/ sny understanding. is fully met by the fol
| lowing extract from letter written b!
Judge Brsnnon. in whose presence IL Is al
legged said denial took place:
II see yoI have some Congressional com