The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-09-23
Vino is "Steve. Elkins?
Denver Col, Daily News

NJ question since the organization Of
the present Republican National Com
uittee has been more frequently asked
than the one which We shall here a.
tempt to answer. The snddenness with
which on apparently obscure individual
has leaped into prominence, together
with the flourish OF trumpets attending
l., to say nothing of his representation
on the committee as the member from a
Territory, has naturally caused the ia
qnily. The answer to it generally is
that he j. the son-in law OF Senator Da
Wis, of West Virginia. but that is scarcely
satisfactory. Oar acquaintance with the
political history of New Mexico, togeth
er with certain old residents OF Missouri,
enables US to give better reply
Mr.. EIkins is a Mi ,sourian and lived
there prior to and during a portion OF
the war. His education and ass Dcistions
naturally developed in him strong love
Tor the institutions and interests Of the
South, and as pro, slavery democrat be
was in those days equalTed by few and
excelled by none. During the entire
period Of the rebellion his sympaihi,s
we're intensely Southern, but as his abll-
tiles we're not of the combative order he
failed to take up arms for his Southern
brethren. During the year 1852 (as we
are informed) in order to escape the
Northern draft and to avoid a forcible
enlistment against the principles and the
people which be loved 80 we'll, he under.
went voluntary exile and fed to New
Mexico. There he was for many years
an intense rebel sympatbizar and vio-
lent opponent Of the Lincoln regime.
Up to 1870 Mr.. Elkins was the most ar.
dent Of democrats. and the very last man
Who would have heen selected as the tu.
ture leader of the great party OF moral
ideas.
During these wears. however. Mr.. 81
kins and his associats in the practice of
the law, Mr.. Catron, acquired great in.
fuence over the Mexican population, and
also acquired immense landed interests
through the nominsl purchase of land
grants from the Mexican government,
protected by the treaty of Gaudsloupe-
Hidalgo, but not then patented by the
Uoited States. About the year 1870,
Mr.. Elkins. despairing OF an early res
toration of the democratic party to pow
er, and "seeing various channels In
which" he could make the republican
party useful, experienced a change Of
heart, acknowledged tue error Of bis
wsvs, was received into full fellowship
by the republican party, and was sent as
a delegate to Congress, which position
be occupied from 1872 to 1876. All of
bis lite schemes, together with those OF
Catron, then assumed shape, and the
fruition OF his hopes was matter OF
little time only. The government sho we'd
its appreciation Of their newly exhibited
LOYALTY BY sbowering its favors upon
them and paten'iag 10 them without
stint the public domain. Each has there
by acquired enormous wealth, and they
bave in turn faithfully served their newly
found patron, and it is but meet that Mr..
Eikils should give to the National Com
d1ittee the benet. of that rich political
experience acquired during long course
Of years n New Mexico. There elec-
lions were determined by the count in
the law Office OF the worthy pair referred
to, and the devices resorted to for defeat.
ing the public will justify the statement
made bv many of his admirers that
"Steve Elkins is as much smarter thar
Sieve Dorsey, when it comes to politics.
as Dorsey is superior to a ten-year-old
hoy"
1t is an open secret that in all the
schemes 10 which EIkins is and has been
interested Biaina, is si lent partner. The
land grants of New Mexico, the mines
at Lesdville, the coal and railwav inter-
ests OF Pennsylvania and West Virginia
all these and. Others. engineered and
consumated by S. B Elkins, are matters
in which the two are jointly interested
And this suggests the true secret OF
Mr. E kins' oserweeGing desire for
Blaiue's election. !.