Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-03-08

party Win QlStlnct, well outIlneu
policy and with leaders who have the
ability and moral courage to carry 1t
into execution. 1t Is true that the
causes which brought the Republican
party into existence passed away nearly
twenty years ago, and since that time
it has acted IS sgigantic leech upon the
people of the country. As to the ques-
ton whether or not the Democratic
party Is the exponent of issues which
deserve the confidence and support of
the nation, facts, which are in the reach
and familiar to all, will show.
Two years ago occurred a political
revolution such as has been known but
few times in our history. The Congress
over which KEIFER presided, and which
always will be notorious through the
actions OF the then predominant party,
contained one hundred and fifty-two
Republicans and one hundred and
thirty Democrats. The present House
contains one hundred and ninety.six
Democrats and one hundred and eigh-
teeen Republicans. This change was
effected in the following manner:
New York defeated the machine can
didate for Governor and elected twenty
one Democrats and thirteen Republic
cans in a delegation which had formerly
been composed of twenty Republicans
and thirteen Democrats. Pennsylva-
mia, after fight which was contested
inch by inch, elected Democratic
Governor and Congressional delega-
ton which contained twelve Demo-
Gratis, including q Congressmsn-at-
large. That body had formerly con-
tanned only seven Democrats. Ohio,
which had sent ten Republicans
and five Democrats to Congress,
changed her delegation to thirteen
Democrats and eight Republicans, and
followed up that victory BY electing an
entire Democratic ticket for the State
officers in 1888. In California the Con-
gressional delegation become solidly
Democratic. Illinois elected nine DEM
ocratic, when six had formerly been
considered decided victory. Iowa,
which was thought to be wholly given
over to the Republicans, returned four
Democrats. Wisconsin fell into line
with q delegation of six Democrats and
three Republicans. Before she had
sent six Republicans and two Demo-
Gratis. Indiana sent nine Democrats
and four Republicans, instead OF eight
Republicans and three Democrats, as it
had in the past. Michigan changed
from a solid Republican phalanx to six
Democrats and five Republicans. And
Connecticut wound up this long list by
returning three Democrats and one Re-
publican, instead of three Republicans
and one Democrat. The Republicans
retained only the States of Kansas,
Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylva-
MIA, California, Rhode Island, Maine,
Massachusetts, Nebraska, Minnesota,
Illinois, Oregon and Iowa. Had Pres
idsnt been elected at that time, the
Democratic candidate would have re.
ceived two hundred and seventy-segen
electoral votes, majority of one hun
bred and ffty-three.
What was the cause of all this?
In 1882 the Democratic party rank
and file entered the campaign to do
battle against crying evils. The cry
against these evils was echoed in the
platforms of the party in California,
Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio,
Indiana and Pennsylvania. Voters
everywhere were stirred by these
appeals, anG resolved to admins
ter telling rebuke to the dishonest
and unworthy offieeholders who
had wrenched the government
away from the old landmarks of
honesty and uprightness in the admin
istration Of affairs which our fathers
had honored. On this ground the battle
was won. But, though Congress is now
doing a noble work, the evils still exist
and must be rooted out. The fight this
year must not be made on tariff reform,
IN changes in the internal revenue or
ON any other question which the people
EEL inclined to leave alone. 1t must
Oe made if we would win
against the corruption and dishonesty
If Federal office holders, which have
leld sway since the time that members
# GRANT's Cabinet were connected with
he Whisky Ring down to the days of
star Route robberies and the wholesale
plundering Of defenceless people by
United States marshals which is still
going on.
Against the wilful and wasteful
squanderlDg of public lands upon cor
porations, which have been the re-
cipients of one hundred and ninety-two
millions of acres during the twenty
three years the Republican party has
been in power.
against the wholesale sheltering by
he Administration of the men who
teal from the public treasury, as
proven by the failure to convict the
Star Route roLb ers and the backward
uess in prosecuting such men IS STRo-
BACH and BLYTHE.
against the stealing from the people
Of their highest power, the right to rule,
as in the corrupt counting in Of HAYES
seven years ago and the out and out
purchase Of the Presidency for GAR
FIELD four years ago.
against the high-handed bribery
practiced everywhere in 1880, and Is.
pecially in Indiana, which last act was
honored by a banquet to the notorious
DORSEY, at which the eminently moral
and respectable ARTHUR presided.
against the sale of Federal Judge
ships to men like miserable drunkard
CoNGER, or of foreign missions to others
ike the rich but brainless Aston.