The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-07-31
West Virginia.

w dIoHc 1Of past lulQultleS dlu lldk6 MIN
a proper exponent Of the sanity virtues of
the celibate Cleveland.
West Virginia.
The Democrats Of West Virginia are
certainly in trouble Attifeir State Con-
vention last week held in Wheeling, dis
ruption occurred of such nature. that it
will be impossible to heal it, especially for
the October election. The two prominent
candidates for the Gubernatorial nomina-
tion were E. Boyd Faulkner. of Berkeley
county, representing the aristocratic ele-
ment Of the party and the railroad inau-
ence, and e. Willis Wilson, of Kama
wha, posing in the attitude of the work.
ingman IS friend, and as an anti-monopo-
list. In the preliminary proceedings,
the committee appointed to select perma-
nent officers. reported Geo. H. Moffett,
one OF the editors of the Wheeling Reg
ister, for permanent chairman. AS the
Register had mercilessly eXcoriated the
State officials and the Supreme Court and
was friendly to the nomination of Faulk-
ner, the Introduction Of Mr. Moffett's
name was the signal for a circus perform
ance which can only be effectively exc
cuted in Democratic Convention. The
confusion and conflict which followed, the
fiery assaults and lurid counter attacks,
which came in quick succession. and The
confused motions and disorder indicated
that the factions had been feeding on dyn-
amite, and all that was necessary for an
explosion was Mr.. Moffett's name. So
broilsome and belligerent, SO hope
lessly hostile were the elements, that
to have confirmed the report of the
committee would have been the signal
for q dissolution of the body. In this
condition of feeling, Mr.. Moffett came
to the rescue, and by positively with
drawing his name, in the interest of har-
mony, and not because he could not have
been elected, composed the delegates. at
least for time. The most unseemly part
of the unseemly proceedings was the up
pearance of Gov. Jackson OH the floor of
the Convention and as n participant in the
discussion, opposing the nomination of
Mo1fett. This fact, of itself, evidenced
the deep feeling Of hostility that existed
between the politicians For the actual
Governor of a State to enter the arena OF
Il fractional fight and actually participate
in the melee, is an occurrence so rare as
to point a departure from the sense of dig
nifty and propriety which is presumed to
attach to the Executive of Common
wealth.
z The withdrawal of Moffett's name
claimed the storm, and the next day Judge
John Brannan, of Weston, was sllbsti-
tuted. After the organization the nomi-
nations for Governor of Messrs. Faux
ner, Vanmeter and Wilson were pre-
sented. On the first ballot Faulkner lead,
but on the second ballot break in the
Jefferson county delegation from Faulkner
to Wilson caused stampede. and before
the roll call was concluded, Faulkner and
Vanmeter had been withdrawn and Wilson
nominated by acclamation.
This is claimed as a triumph Of the peo-
pie as against corporations and monopolies.
Wilson has served several terms in the
Legislature and is the author of two or
three laws. restricting the privileges OF
railroads and generally hostile in spirit to
corporate power and influence. With
the masses the nomination will no doubt
prove popular, but then the railroads have
certain positive power in West Vi12 inia
which can be made fatal to the aspirati ions
of, Mr.. Wilson. And as it is known that
railroads have no politics and corporal ions
are not troubled with souls it may be ex-
pected that they will lift up the glove
thrown down to them in the nomination of
Mr.. Wilson, and take an aggressive land
in the contest. If SO, Mr. Wilson will
he defeated and the Republican ticket
elected.
Judge Maxwell, of Harrison county, is
the nominee of the Greenback party for
Governor. He is an old Republican, and
tits possible the Republican Convention
may endorse denomination and thus make
common cause against the Bourbons.-
Such combination, of itself, would be
strong enough to make Wilson'S election
doubtful, and with the railroad influence
thrown against him his defeat would be
certain.
Republican success in the State cleo
tion in October, would be almost sure to
be followed by Blaine and Logan carry
ing the State in November, for Blaine
is stronger than his party in that State.
~ 81 tI,o
ings at Wheeling, we see that Hon.
Charles Caldwell, chairman of the Wood
County Democratic Committee, has de-
clared his purpose to support Blaine and
Logan. 1t would be natural for other dis
gusted Democrats to follow his example,
and this will be the case for from what we
learn, there was a strong disposition in
many portions Of the State, and especially
| in the mineral sections, to leave the Bour-
bon party and unite with the Republicans,
even before the.scenes and encounters at
Wheeling. few good tariff speeches and
appropriate tariff literature circulated in
| the mountain districts of that State, where
they vote as their fathers did, for the
| Democratic candidates, would cause a
revolution. The great dissatisfaction with
sensible Democrats in State matters, has
prepared them for such course, and if
properly encouraged the result will be
that West Virginia will wheel into the
Republican column.
Gen. Logan's Letter.
We publish infull, on our first page. the
letter of Gen. Logan accepting the nomi
nation Of the Republican Convention for
the office of Vice President of the United