The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-08-09
A FAIRM0Nr SAGE
; DEMOCRATIC paocLlMrlEs.
uab.ou. Hla..lf to aa "l.,.llIs..e.rn R.psr.
ter % the Political Sitaa,iOa Ia the state.
Pupltxed at the Enthu.Iasn Of the
R.pshlcaA,, aOdSo Woadsr. Np-
Speclal 0Dr1poRdenct oftAs INtsliQoacT.

Specsds CorfeIpoRdfaef q uG LHtAligCncd.
FAlRNoST, W. Va, August s.-wou'd
you like sketch in ink OF one Of Fair.
mont's well known menl Yes2 wellSou
shall have it. But first the accessories.
On the right heavy law tones, resting on
stately shelves, and pigeon holed desk.
To the rear, two windows dashed into
dark wall; beyond the windows the red
walls Of the court house, and the blue Of
the summer sky. At the left, the open
room. In front the disorders OF lawyers
office. Now for the picture as 1t is seen In
fgare, tall, muscular and supple, clothed in
black scrupulously free from speck or
flaw; the right hand busy with pen, the left
idle on the arm OF great chair. Seen In
the light Of the evening sun, 1t isan angular,
restless figure. Striking, always, indicative
OF weakness, never. But the face. A
high, intellectual forehead, pfshing
lar up, shaggy eye brows inten-
sifying eyes that pierce, heavy lachrymal
bones, the mouth wide and firm, but free
from harshness, the jaw projecting and
positive, and Jet black whiskers and hair.
Is It necessary to say to those who know
the man, "this is the Hon. Fontain Smith,
State Senator from the Second Senatorial
District tf West Virginia 2" Your CORES.
poadent found Mr.. Smith busy with a
client, but not too much occupied to bid
him welcome. After the departure ofthe
client, and the commonplaces OF the day
had been spoken, your reporter took out
his pencil and proceeded TO interview Mr..
Smith, who is one OF the best informed
men on political subjects in this section.
WEST VA. rOLIriCs.
politics are rather lively in West vir.
ginia, are they not Mr.. Smith; especially
as the election is SO far ahead 2" "Unusual-
ly 50, sir" responded Mr.. Smith. "Both
parties are wide awake, aud no one can
doubt that the approaching campaign. will
be characterized by the greatest activity on
both sides. The Democracy, with the pree-
ige Of repeated victories in their favor, and
all the State patronage, apparently have
some advantage. But 1t may appear be-
fore the close OF the campaign, that this
latter Is suppositious, rather than an &C.
tnal advantage, for the opposition will seek
to show that the party in power has been
lAIre W its pIoluisec, duu tue uuuuteub Oh
Office holders from long occupancy OF office,
have become corrupt. The people are not
in mood to have the ballot box nullifed
by hirelings. There is no quarrel in Dem
ocratic ranks, but l fear that a feeling Of
distrust, more fatal than even indifference
peryades the party. Numerous causes con-
tribute to this result, but none more than
the unwonted and perplexing enthusiasm
in the Republican party.
To what one cause or complication OF
causes the activity in Republican ranks Is
due, is somewhat difficult to determine. It
is certainly not any lack Of earnestness on
the part OF our press, nor from the deiec-
ton Of any prominent man in our party.
Undoubtedly the reassessment has much
to do with It. Whether or not that act be
perfectly justiiable, the taxpayers do not
stop to consider, remembering only that
their tax Is increased. A secord cause
may be found in the extraordinary canvas
Of Mr.. Brown in the Third District. It
were folly to deny that the result was sur
prising to all, the Republicans not less
than the Democrats. Itmust be confessed
that the Democracy can only win next year
by the most determined efforts. However,
l believe they will elect their ticket.
., AS TO CANDIDATES.