Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-06-24
SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON.
5nARLEsrowN, JEFFERSON COUNTY, w. Va.
TuEsDAY MoRNINa. JUNE "a. 1ss4.
Blaine in West Virginia.

Mr.. Elkins, the principal Blaine
manager at Chicago, utilized the idea
of Blaine's ability to carry West Vir-
ginia in the popular election, as a
prominent factor in promoting the
nomination of his chief. So far as it
avaiIed Mr.. Elkins in mis- work at
Chicago, we were willing to give him
the benefit of the delusion. But as
the convention is now over and BIr.
Elkins has had the full benefit of his
little fiction, it may be as we'll to re-
mark, for the information of those
who feel an interest in such things,
there is not and never has been plaus-
ible ground for the declaration that
Blaine stood the remotest chance of
getting an electoral vote from West
Virginia. To show how utterly un-
founded the claim is, we will briefly
review the arguments adduced in be-
half of this pretension.
In the first place it is urged that
Blaine's business interests identify
him with West Virgins and gives
him a strong foothold. In reply to
this we have to say that Blaine owns
some stock in little railroad running
from Piedmont to Fairfax Stone in the
northeastern corner of this State, a
road some 40 or so miles in length,
and which passes through wilder
ness country in which no citizen of
this State feels any particular interest
outside of those who are identified
with the syndicate which owns and
controls the land through which the
road passes. If Mr.. Blaine received
the support of all the people who live
along the line of the road it would
only increase his vote in the State a
hundred or two.
In the second place it is claimed
that Mr.. Elkins' influential acquaint-
ance with West Virginians will be
tower of strength to the Blaine cause.
The fact is that while Mr.. Elkins had
the good sense and the good fortune
to marry an admirable West Virginia
lady, and occasionally spends the
summer at Deer Park in convivial hob
nObbery with the bloods who frequent
that famous summer resort, his per-
sonal acquaintance doesn't include
more than 81 score of influential West
Virginians, and he absolutely knows
nothing of West Virginia politics or
politicians. His business cennec-
tions with the Elk Garden mines may
enable him, if he chooses, to exercise
the power Of. an emploYer to force the
ills1RClteds sepalluUd dred and 6 ft1Erain ainorsl
in his employ to vote the Blaine ticket.
But that wouldn't be pebble large
enough to create a ripple OH West
Virginia's Democratic majority.
And in the next place, it is in
timated that a free distribution of
money which is expected to be pour
cd in by Jay Gould's railroad syndi-
Gates will help to turn the tide from
the Democratic column to the Repub-
lican. The best answer to that is,
the West Virginia Democracy is un-
bought and unpurchasable. 1t stands
on the solid foundation of an ever
lasting principle, welded to the cause
of right, int1exible in it's devotion to
the bcst interests Of the whole coun-
try, uncorrupted and incorruptiblc.
1t is bad missionary ground for Star
Route evangelists. There is not gold
enough in Jay Colds Golfers to buy
the honest Democratic ycemanry of
our Mountain State. They will never
sacrifice their honor, and will repel
the base insinuation that they are
purchasable by rolling up majority
of not less than fifteen thousand for
the Democratic ticket in the next
Wheeling Register.