Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-16
DRAGGING SLOWLY.
Except the Lightning Fight for
Sergeant,
Which is On in Full Force---The Coming
Primaries---lnteresting Resume
Of City Politics.

The Democratic primaries will be held
next Saturday afternoon. The POLLS will be
opened in every ward at IL o'clock and
close at 6. The Executive Committee has
appointed the judges and clerks and every
thing is in readiness but the candidates. SEN
timent seems to have crystallized on John 81.
Hobbs, Esq, for Mayor and if he will re-
main in the field he will undoubtedly be
nominated and elected. He would prefer
not to go into politics, and if he is candi-
date it will be solely by virtue OF his friends,
who insist upon upon it.. Mayor Miller,
Mr.. John Naylor aud some others have
been spoken OF, but they have peremptorily
declined. There has also been some talk
of Mr.. Gibson Lamb, but it is understood
he has also declined to enter the area as q
competitive candidate. Mr.. Hobbs will
probably, therefore, have not even q friend
" contest and if his friends can induce him
to accept viii wisld the gavel in the First
Branch for the next two years. .
The primary ticket, next Saturday will
have on it for City Clerk. the names OF
Chris. Siebke, George He'll and Will Tie
mann, all well known Democrats. Thewin
ner of the heat will try conclusions for the
sweepstakes, in January, with Frank Bow
ers, the present incumbent.
Capt John Crocksrd will have no oppo-
sition, for the nomination to his present po-
sition of wharfmaster and will doubtless be
the winner when the snow storm OF ballots
shall have fallen in January.
A very pretty fight for the Sergeantcy is
in progress between Porter Smith and Der.
nsrd Stanley. Both are old Democratic
warehouses and each has made so thorough
canvass his best friend could not tell
which is ahead Capt. VIM. Prince was an
uounced as candidate, but beyond the an
nouncement nothing has been heard from
him. At the committee meeting at Jetier-
son Club last night, he was reported as
probably not in the field.
THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.
On the Republican side of the fence, the
entire energy, so far as is apparent Is con-
fined TO the Sergeantcy fight. Since the
drubbing, administered in October, in this
county, the representatives OF the grand
old party have not been as springy as OF
yore and they 90 into the city fight without
much of that confidence that is the first ele-
ment of success The committee has not
succeeded, as yet, in alighting on suitable
timber for Mayor. After a thorough can
vass of their field, there is considerable dis
position 10 tall back on that old time wheel
korse, DR.. Z. Fl. Logan. Against this
th,rs is an emphatic kick from
the Younger blood of the party. Not doubt
ing DR.. Logan's ability and experience,
they contend he has borne his share of the
blushing honors the city can bestow, and
can afford to stand aside for the rising gene
ration. Col. Nathan B. Scott is talked
of o7 these and the name of Benjamin
Fisher is frequently heard. Spaulding Wal.
lace, who made good run two years ago,
does not care about repeating it. 1t IS said
Henry Schmulbach would accept the po-
sition and even has trusty friends making
suggestions to that end, and there are some
! lew find never ending comfort III the name
of Mr.. John Frew.
For City Clerk, there is clear walkoVer,
at the primaries, for Frank Bowers, and
Capt Henry Seamon will almost as certain
" be nominated for wharfmaster.
In the Republican camp, there is fierce
contest for the nomination for Sergeant. A
year ago Billy Williams and Billy Fugate
resigned from "the finest in order to be-
| come candidates. Since then they have
worked like beavers. Neal Thompson Vice
President of the Amalgamation, after his
election as delegate to Chicago, got the Ser
geant bee buzzing in his dicer, and when
! Will Travis was stabbed he pranced into his
place. Councilman John Habertield, backed
! by q reform and retrenchment record IN
| Council is busting along the track, and
finally Frank Cline, of the Belmont Mill
SHE'D his small form into the arena. This
quintette of loyal Republicans, every man
for himself, are making things lively.
ATHREATENED CONSPIRACY.
The fly coppers of the present force are
greatly exercised in mind. Each one has
a political weather-vsne hoisted out trying
| to find toward which Republican candidate
the popular gale sets the strongest They
all (or nearly alD want on the next force
and each is anxious to get in his work fol
the man who is sure to get there. There
I have been several caucusses among the
night force, to agree upon plan of action
The latest report is they are to meet or
Friday night, decide which of the Demo
Gratis candidates will be the weakest before
The people and then work for his nomina
ton on Saturday. A Republican who vii
pledge himself to support the nominees
will be permitted to vote at the primaries
A pledge does not amount to much, but TIT
vote counts
This is a neat little scheme, but it won
amount to much, for the simple reason tina
either of the Democratic candidates can bea
any of the Republicans mentioned In con
ncctiOn with this Office.
FOR COUNCIL.
Business men and property holders pre-
tess to be very solicitous, occasionally, Q
the management Of the city affairs. Ye
they seem utterly regardless of the fact tina
within two weeks are to be chosen the me
Who will compose the Council. Not one
tenth of the voters of any one ward kuo'
today who are to be the candidates for these
the most responsible positions in the city
On Saturday, the Democratic primaries ar
TO be hela, but where are the meetings t
discuss the fitness and availability of men
! Council tickets are chosen, not BY thos
whose property is at stake or whose pride i
. the city is aroused, but by those solely VIII
are candidates for the Offices within the gi
of Council. Councilmen are "set up" by tn
candidates for health officer, solicitor, r,
! ceiver, market master, weigher, the publ
) boards and the ike.
! These are good subjects for thoughts b
, our business men and property owners. Th
same interest displayed in the recent bus
cess mems meeting should be repeated i
seeing that good men are placed on the se'