Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-12-17
S,ana with the Majority.

He was first elected to the Legislature as
a conservative union man, as cOntra-dis-
tinguished from O radical. He was twice
chosen to the State Senate by the same
division of political opinion. When the
sentiment he represented carried the
State, the Bourbon element OF the
Democracy opposed him, because he was
not one of their ilk, and endeavored to de-
feat him for the United States Senate by
arousing the prejudices of their clans
against him, on account OF his votes
while in the Legislature, upon questions
upon the proper settlement OF which ylr-
tually depended the life of the infant
State The ultra Democratic sentiment
thus arrayed against him, naturally called
the Union Democrats, and many Repu0ll-
cans to his support Both times he has
been chosen to his present exalted posi-
ton the Republicans have united with
the more liberal Democrats in his election.
First, because OF his liberal views upon
public questions, and second because OF
the issue which had been made against
him, that he was not of tho men who were
opposed to the Government, not only dur
ing, but after the war. His second cleo
ton was most conspicuous compliment:
He had served six years in the Senate, ana
acted with the Democracy on all partisan
questions, yet the Republicans joined
hands with the liberal Democrats, not only
to rebuke the Bourbon assault upon him,
but to attest their confidence in his integ-
rity, honesty of purpose, and their ap'
probation of him as representative who
had done his State great service.
At the very threshold of public life he
was called upon to take a position upon
many very important questions. lie was
found ever ready to pronounce his Judg-
ment and take his stand for his opinions
This very quality covered his record with
expressions that have often been quoted
against him by his oppon ents, but 1t can
be said of him that his public as well as
his private life has stood the test OF assault
and been more than favorably passed upon
acts. His early public services were,
therefore, in a degree, as important as
those Of his lRter years. While in the Leg
isl6ture be secured the creation OF the
present county Of Miueral, and has since
virtually 6uiltthe Starving town of Key
ser, its eoqfity scat Ia Z s.sssa,
When tsn war escsed and he began TO
take an fI,lerest N state affairs. New
Creek. As IL WAS then called. Has1 little
more than a military affair, Tho ~ kki2R
of the shops of the Bal ~, and Ohio
Railroad there, its many induetfids and
spacious stock yards, in which are corral
led, in the proper season, the great nerds
of fat cattle from the rich grazing grounds
of the South Branch Valley, are all his
work, and make strange contrast to the
desolats little place that was, during the
war, an army outpost, established to guard
the entrance to the rich valley which fol-
lows the south branch OF the Potomac
river toward old Virginia
Early in his public career he took
sound and unequivocal position upon
financial questions, from which he has
never departed. Almost at the beginning
of his legislative service he was CONFRONTED
with the issue ofthe responsibility OF west
Virginia for portion OF the debt oil the
Old Dominion. The popular view. was
against the new State assuming any OF the
indebtedness. Despite the advice of friends,
who looked to nomentary popularity rather
than Justice, he took q bold stand in favor
of Nest Virginia assuming her Just proper
tion of the debt Of the Mother State, when
that equitable proportion could be ascer-
tanned. Ii was upon his motion that COM
mIssioners were at once appointed to treat
with Virginia upon that question, and his
public, no less than his private utter
ances, are as numerous as the days OF the
wear, in earnest advocacy OF the duty Oh
West Virginia to pay her share OF the deot'
1t has been his argument and his posilon
in this matter which has given people out,
side of the State faith to believe that West
Virginia was ready at any tGNe TO wipe out
even the suspicion that she was de5irous oil
avoiding Just responsibility for her part
of the ante-bellum debt of Virginia. ]
nave dwelt moment upon this question
because il is Just now attracting great at
tantion, and it must soon become matter
mon Sshinh no West Yirsiniap IL public
life can occupy an ed6tvoccal position. II
ought to be 1 thing for Mr.. Davis to con-
graduate himself upon, that public sentl'
ment is fast growing toward the position
he assumed years ago, when 1t was unpoP'
ular.
IL is a safe rule TO estimate man by the
impression he makes upon his associates.
II is an axiom in our system OF govern
ment that the popular verdict shall Dc law
1t is but fair to apply this test 70 M,'
Davis, and l have no doubt that he Is WI
ling TO be Judged by it. When ne sue
ceeded Mr.. Wiley, man OF solllty ano
ripe experience, who had cut large hgure
in public affairs, he found seat on the
Democratic side of the Senate, ana tns'
party in the minority. He took his pc
sition and performed the duties 10 winch
he was assigned with the same becoming
modesty which has been consplcaou'
feature Of his conduct IN every Ms siI : - :
life. Gradually hsuheeanre RlIFFn % -
I coiJ eernss. ka6 - M not long tntofs q
5srnni,t, 4 position Adf1Df ihaI9 e1qai
1 n, a t,..1l ftet...I< D ~ Ntu Xt1W1<{ 81