Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-08-23
Keep 1t Out.

ed county seat removal convention, at
which ticket was nominated solely
upon that issue. The Democratic con-
vention, following upon its heels, ratili-
ed the nomination of the sO-called re-
movalst for Representative, and thus
got what Mr.. Tildcn would call the
usufruct of that movement. But, not
withstanding the powerful aid of Messrs
Gallaher, Poorman & Co, the Democrat
ic-removal candidate for Representative
obtained very beggarly majority-24s
when We consider the fact that Pult-
ney township gave him about 1900 TO
start with, and the further fact that the
Republican nominee, because of sick
ness, was unable to make any canvass
whatever. Taking his seat in the House,
and proclaiming to his follow members
that he was elected on the distinctive
issue of removal of the county seat-a
fragrant fasehood, by the wayne in
troduced bill providing for the removal
of the county seat to Bellaire, and for
the erection of county buildings there,
and, in the event that proposition fail
ed to be adopted by the people, that new
buildings should be erected at st. Clairs-
vile. This proposition met with little
favor in the House, and Mr.. Wagener's
mission was failure. The Republicans
who voted for him succeeded in adding
one to the Democratic minority in the
House, but if this action ever produced
any other fruits no one has been able to
discover it.
Last week the Democratic convention
met, aud although Mr.. Wagener by the
usages of his party was entitled to re-
nomination, vet with the valuaule. as
sistance of Messrs. Poorman & Co.. he
was able to muster only % votes. out OF
"a total of so. Nothing whatever WAS
said about the question of removal, but
it is we'll known and understood by all
persons that this action is Tebuke to
| Mr.. Wagener and the other agitators.
Thereupon gentlemen who assisted in
eecting Mr.. WAGNER two years ago pro-
pose to throw into the Republican con-
vention which assemblies at Martins
Ferry a fire-brand in the shape of res
Olution pledging the nominee for Repre-
sentative to resist any attempt to renew
the agitation of this question during the
next two years.
The introduction of such a resolution
| from any quarter would be ill-advised.
| 1t is in bad taste.
1t is a needless introduction of dis
| turbing element into what bids fair to
be an otherwise harmonious convention.
1t will furnish the Democratic nOmi-
nee, who is unhampered by resolutions,
with a two edged sword with which to
hew his opponent.
A convention has no power to bind
member of the Legislature with such
resolution. To illustrate: The nomi-
nee for Representative is elected fo- two
years. Suppose the convention and the
Republicans of the county should this
wear by bare majority instruct the
nominee that he shall oppose all agita-
tion of this question during the term for
which he may be elected. and that the
convention of next summer and the Re-
publicans of the county should reverse
that order by decided majority, will
the Bsllaire gentlemen, who have appa
rently been such sticklers for the rule
of the people, aver that he should dis
regard the latter dem nd?
The convention will transcend its
powers if it shall adopt such ii rpSOlu-
tion, further. for the reason that that
question was not before the people at
the primaries. To illustrate: One of the
delegates representing an election pre-
cinct in tn convention OF to-day, is a
remOvalist, aud possibly might he dis
posed to follow his Bellaire friends in
support of such a resolution; yes Il very
large majority of his Republican constit-
uents are known opponents of the de-
uIands of Bellaire, and if the question
of the adoption of such resolution had
been presented to them ut the primaries
possibly they would have chosen some
one else to represent them.
But, above all other considerations,
such resolution should not be adopted
because it will needlessly imperil the
success Of the Republican nominee.
There is no occasion for it. The Dem
Ocratic convention said nothing whatev-
er about this question-its candidate is
unhampered and free, aud with his Re-
publican opponent embarrassed with
such a resolution he may skirmish
around and make votes off of both par
ties To this controversy because he is
free and untrammeled. Not u delegate
to the convention but can Spe this dan
ger, if he will reflect but one moment
upon it, Why should Republican con-
vention thus embarrass its nominee,
while his opponent wields free lance
IL. h. .
who tried to influence and control a
Democratic convention, in order that
they might gain votes for its candidate,
and failing in that hurl this frs-brand
into the Republican convention?
Let the convention nominate man
in whose good sense the people will
have confidence, and trust him to repre-
sent all the people Of the county. Res
Olutions count nothing, at all events.
ACTIONS speak louder than words" All
the agitation the county has suffered
from this question has originated with
Bellaire. The best place for its people
to resolve is at the ballot-boX. The bal
ance of the people of the county have no
occasion to resolve upon the subject.
They have always opposed agitation,
and see no reason to change their opin-
ion. Up to this time the present year,
the removal question is not in politics.
The way to keep it out. is to let it Sc
yerely alone in the Republican copven-
ton. Let the best energies of the con-
vention be turned to the nomination of a
popular ticket, which will command the
respect and confidence of the penpl-.and
its work will be accomplished. To pur-
sue any other course will bs inviting
defeat.
Doctors Disagree.
As reporter for the Pittsburgh CONNER