Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-07-23
Reform and Harmony the Watch
Words of the Hour.

The congregation Of Democratic voters
in our city to-day is the most phenomenal
political gathering ever known in the his
tory of our State. 1t was expected that
the attendance would be large when the
State Convention assembled, but the crowd
is away beyond all expectation. At an
early hour Monduy morning the advance
delegations began to arrive, and since then
there has been a steady and increasing
stream of people from all parts of the State
pouring into the city. There were over
two thousand strangers in the city on Mon
day night, and last night the crowd was es-
timated at over FIVE thousand. This morn
ing the stream continue to pour in and it is
safe to estimate that by the time the con-
vention assemblies there will be from
Seven to Eight Thousand
persons attending the great Democratic
Convention of West Virginia. The dele
gates are fine looking body of men. They
represent all the varied interest of our
young State There are lawyers, farmers,
merchants, miners, mechanics and Of every
ayocation. Here are old men whose heads
have grown gray in the service of Democ-
racy, there are middle aged men in the
prime of manhood devOting their energies
and giving the benefit of their mature wis
dom toward guiding the party toward sue
cess, and there are thousands of the bright,
active, enthusiastic Young Democrats who
stand stripped for the fray and ready to
fash their maiden swords in behalf of pro-
gressive principles to hasten forward their
Young State in its career 20 greatness and
prosperity.
All of the Hotels,
boarding houses and every available spare
room in private houses are filled to their
utmost capacity The Reception Commit
tee and our citizens generally have exerted
themselves in finding accommodations for
the vast throng A large number of people
will come in to-day from the adjacent coun-
trv and taking in the days session of the
Convention will return to their homes on
the evening trains.
The State Executive Committee is quar-
tered at the MeLure House. and the princi-
pal candidates likewise have their head
quarters at the same hotel A large banner
extended across the street in front of the
Mcclure bears the inscription
"Democrntic Headquarters"
The large lobby of the Mcclure is taste
fully decorated with flags and bunting, and
all day Yesterday was filled with busy
crowd Of active politicians explaining the
peculiar merits of their favorite candidates.
While there was active and Jealous efforts
being made in behalf of the various sspi-
rants, there was also spirit of good humOr
prevailing, and the uppermoSt desire in the
minds of the great bulk of the delegates
was to do that which they regarded as best
and wisest for the party to do.
In the rooms constituting the headquar-
ters of the different candidates could be
seen busy throngs of the working friends Of
the several gentlemen who hope to secure
places on the State ticket
As is to be expected in all such large
political gatherings, there were exceptional
cabels and cliqUeS who had
Crack Ideas
to advance; and would dart off into secret
corners and out ofthe way places to devise
plans and schemes for their individual bene-
Fit, and about which the multitude cared
nothing, and which could never material
ize into anything substantial
Rambling through the corridor Of the
Mclure a REGISTER reporter saw group
Of venerable looking gentlemen whose faces
were familiar and seen in every Democratic
gathering in the State for the last fifteen or
twenty years. They are chatting away in
he liYefest manner and upon approaching
them dis eovery that they are recalling incl !
lenls when they served together in the |
Did Virginia Legislature before the war
lust over there is another group. some Of I
hem comparative young and some
# them old men-they are reviv-
ng their association as members of !.
The Constitutional Convention
# 1872, and one very venerable gentleman
$ heard to say: al never met with one Of
he BOYS of that dear old session, out !
eel throbbing Just here" and with that
le LAYS his hand over his heart. Still an-
,ther group recall the scenes Of the last
ess;oa of the legislature in this city, others
ak of former meetings at Charleston, at
,Tncinnati and at Chicago, and so grand
ocial reunion is being held. and the asperi-
les Of partisan politics and the rivalries of
flee seeking are toned down in the genial
Of friends Of olden DAYS.
'hus it is that so much good humor and
ind feeling prevails.