Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-08-26
BELMONT POLITICS.
interesting Interview With Mr.. j. J,
Howard.
The Democratic Candidate for Represen'
tatiye-His Views on the Situation
and the Outcome.

\ reporter called on John J.. Howard.ths
Dem, cratic nomine for Representative o.
Belmont county, the other evening at his
home in Barnesyille. He was shown into
the parlOr and Mr. Howard, who was en-
gagged with some business matters at that
I me, soon cane in. In his free,open, man
ly way he invited the newspaper man to
be seated, and he began a conversation IN
which the
Two Tickets Now In the Field
here 8 prominent part. When asked what
he thought Of the strength OF the RePuoli-
Can ticket he sIniIei and said be was very
well satisfied With it aud thought it a very
good ticket, but that it could be beaten.
q. What DO you think
Of the resolution in regard To
the county seat fight which was passed b.
the Republican convention?
A. expected that something OF the kind
would be lone al this convention. Prom
ntnt Republicans here favored the resOlu-
tiCn, and Notwithstanding Carrolrs efforts
To- get them 10 vote against anything OF the
Kind, the delegates from Warren were
In Favor of h Resolution.
Mr.. Carol was out here or the night be-
fore the convention and found how matter
stood, and then wen. to the convention
and offered the resolution himself. For
my own part Just at this tine l would pre-
Ter not to express my views on the ques
ton, and would not like TO do so unit.
after the meeting Of the Central Commit
tee, which meets at 81. GAINESVILLE on Tues
day next
2. Will the Central Committee take any
action in the matter
10 not EN.ur az m that thRV may
or may not. ! have been informed, tho igh
not by n Of the committee, that 50 ~
such action was contemplated, but II wa
But - RuniOr.
! shall feel like consulting with the Cen
traI COmmitue on this question, at le4s
hearing their views on the question. /
think that IL the committee decide tLu
il would be- the best plan {"
allow this question to rest for IN
next two years and should instruct me in
case of my election, TO oppose by vote and
by every other influence that might have
any measure having as its object the sgita
tiOu Of the county seat question, either u
erect new buildings or 10 remove the
county seat from 81. .Clairsyilie, | should
most certainly adhere 10 their Instructions
. 10 YOU think such action taken by the
committee would have the
Aame Force and Effect
IS IL il had bpen taken in the Convention?
\. rerIsiuly do. From the time the com
mittee merits UUul the time the election
trkes plsCe will give plenty OF tine 10 have
our position in the matter known to every
voter in the county.
DO YOU not think the Democratic Con-
ventiun at BeliaIre made a mistake in not
having taken some sCIlOn in the matter
either by u re~o utiOn or otherwise
y. No On t-e contrary, think they
acted very wisely N the matter. They
gave the Republicans u chance 70 shOS
their hands. and If We think best We can
Tut ourselves on
Exactly Ihe Same Grounds.
This will make the campaign strictly a
political tight, with all side issues laid on
the shelf And when this IS the case We
always win.
. What are your views as regards the
county seat question
A.. THIS question has been agjtating the
people Of this county for 4 long time, aud
as 1 have heretofore kept entirely out OF
the fight, | don't think | snail express my
self now. In the former struggles between
Btllalre snd ST. Clalrsville l have never
been identified with either side, have
never signed either petition or remOn
STRANGE, AMI have always managed To keep
entirely u Of the whole matter.
q. But you certainly have your prefer
epCe between the two places
Yes. II | were
Called Upon or Requested
10 say in which Of the two PLACES | would
prefer to nave the county seat, | could
soon decide. But as | said a little while
a,o. | don't feel called upon to do SO at
present, and you will therefore excuse me
from expressing my preference in the
msttEr
q. Have you begun your canyass Of the
county YET?
since The Convention. Have been busy
most of the time and have not had time %
DO much fence binding. think the cam.
Ia On will open up next week ami II IS /
inier To predict lively times.
The CODyrr~Stinn here drltted into
OIher Political Topics
that are not Of general interest and the re-
porter Was handsomely entertained for 4
half hour longer. Mr.. Howard in his
every day life is q rather fine looking mi
Of mecium height snd a Nirey frame that
will bear lots Of hard work. He is 3 very
fluent talker and has q sharp eye that has
q kuSCk Of looking right a. you while
its owner is talking TO you. His business
Is that OF a tobacco merchant, in which he
has been very successful. He Is very li0-
eral IN his religious and temperance views.
lie is Que OF the trustees Of the Burr's Mills
Campaigning Association, having been re-
elected TO that position last week. he is
said 10 he
Very Popular with All Glasses
If people in this town and will be able to
cut down il nOt overcome the usual Re
publican majority Of Warren township.
In talking with prominent citizens OF
GAINESVILLE, both Republicans and Demo.
80 81, 1,Fnnnn 9aauna 10 nraUafl fhaft tina
much agiiated county seat question would
be entirely left out of this falls cOmpaign
and the fight made or the political issues
alone. Said one, The Legislature this
term is of too great national significance 10
allow this question TO have any thing to do
with
Controlling the Election,
If II can. By any means, be kept down, aud
II looks more as II il were in = shape to be
'sid away for two years. At the next cleo
ton We are entitled TO two representatives
from this county. Then let the county
seat be made the issue. Let the parties
nominate men for and against, and have
the matter settled one way or the other
snd be done with it. IL has been 3 DIS.
turbIng element in county politics for the
last twenty years and the people
Are Becoming fired
of il, but, as | before remarked. let IL lie
quiet for two years and then fight ID out"
We met Mr. Hilles, the Republican nom.
inee, on the street looking we'll as usual.
In response 70 our inquiry as TO his candi
dscy and prospects he had nothing
to say more than that be vourr
DO the best he could and
90 to Columbus II the voters OF tue
county said so He said he hal not begun
10 pack his trunk yet and was just resting
from the farigues of the convention. II.
hes not begun any actual canvas yet ami
will not do 50 until next week.