Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-07-27
SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
A Readable Letter on the POhtfcai sit.
neutrality-suspicious. Longing for the
s.Flesh POts.o
Special Correspondence Of the Register,

Special Correspondence Of the Register,
MARrNsBURG, July B.-The peculiar
turn which the Hoge-Lucas contest for Con-
gress has taken has given the struggle
quite as much, il not more prominence
than that in any other district in the State.
1t is somewhat similar in its details to the
bitter fight in the old First district two
years ago. when it was charged that Col.
Ben. Wilson mad at the previous CONVEX.
ton, pledged himself not TO be candidate
next time" As will be remembered, the
opponents of Col. Ben. "whooped it
up" pretty lively, but whether
he did or did not make any such pledge
he pulled through "alle samee." Whether
Judge Hoge will be as fortunate in this re
spect as Col. Ben. remains yet to be seen.
THE much discussed memorandum" !"
claimed to be record OF the agreement
entered into between Judge Hoge and Hon.
ID. B. Lucas, at Fairmont, has been given to
the public by Mr.. John Barton Payne, who
acted for Mr.. Lucas on that memorable oc-
casion. 1t sets forth that Judge Hoge, in
consideration of Mr.. Lucas withdrawal from
that contest and tuning over TO him his
support and influence, pledged himselfnot
to be candidate against Mr.. Lucas in 1882.
Judge Hoge, in letter to Col Z. W. Nor
roe, OF Preston, gives an entirely different
version OF the affair, and claims that he en-
tered into no such an arrangement. As
the matter now stands il is narrowed down
to simple question OF yeracity between
Judge Hoge and Mr.. John Barton Payne,
who acted for Mr.. Lucas, both gentlemen
admitting that no one outside Of them
AZ hn N0nfnPQnHo
roberatiye evidence is now in order.
The Congressional Convention has been
called to meet at Keyser August 1lth, and
In the meantime the fight for delegates be-
tween the friends Of Hoge and Lucas In
the several counties will 90 on with renew
ed yjguk. IL the character Of that convex
ton may be Judged by the heat manifested
in the selection Of delegates it will certain
ly be pretty warm
added to the other Perplexities OF the
two distinguished gentlemen now engaged
in tussle for the nomination, comes the
spectre of dark horse IN the background.
Small as yet, and unclearly defined, still,
like the cloud no bigger than a mans hand,
il may develop into regular cyclone and
carry everything before it. II Is likely to
be Augmented by the fact that il is begin
ming 10 dawn across the mind OF the aver
age voter that he Is not exactly merchant
able chattles or negotiable paper To be
banked" on by trading politicians. He
doesn't relish the idea Of being bartered of
two years in advance Of q convention, II At
all. All this talk about q bargain and ar
rangement at Fairmont fixing up thing
two years ahead strikes him as 'iittle too
previous" and the opinion Is ginning
ground that . short retirement for the gen
Iemen engaged in it would not be detri-
mental to their health or political morals.
The Republicans, who, like wilkins Mi
cawber, have been waiting, 10! these many
years, ifor something TO turn up." are
xatching the contest with more than usual
anxiety. They have an idea that the EN-.
bitterments Of the HogeLucas fight, how
ever it may end, will result to their adyan-
tage. They are already scanning the field
for their strongest candidates. and the
speed and bottom OF Hon. W. H. H. Flick,
J. w. Wisner and J. s. Haldeman, Esqx.
have 49, esmpared and discussed. Rlicki
appointment as United Srstes District At.