Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-08-05


stained greenback, but NE real leedershiE
or the party was earnest and Successful IN
staying the greenback craze and securing
resumption. At time q union between
Greenbacker and Democrats for no higher
purpose than mere success nc the polls has
been Justly denounced as encouragement "a
pernicious fiscal notion. CONCERNING the
alliance in West Virginia the organs are
silent, but the fact remsins that the fusion
has been made and. that . triumph in thai
State will be encouragement to the iatists.
ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING ELEC.
81 TIoNs- ~
"A Republican Paper~-Now Supporting
Cieyeland Reviews the Political History
!, of West Virginia. = BSF &AS w. 4
: Brooklyn Usioa Ind, Rep)
West Virginia is the only one Of the old
October States" except Ohio. which still
clings to the vicious custom Of holding It's
State election month before the day for
choosing federal officials. A full set of State
officers is to be elected this year, and the
contest promises to be one of the most In
teresting that will anywhere occur. The
Democratic Convention was held last week.
aud with the action Of the Republican Con-
vention the issue between the two parties In
the State is made up.
I West Virginia, as a separate commou-
wealth, is an 0utgrowth of sthe war;. The
Union sentiment was always very strong in
that part of the Old Dominion, and seces-
sion had hardly been carried by the Rich
mond Convention in the spring of 1881 be-
fore the loyal men took steps to reorgsnize
the State on a Union basis. The State OF
West Virginia was formally admitted in
June, 1863, and at the election for Govern
or in that year the Republican candidate
met no opposition. Ip 1864 the vote was
more than two to one in favor OF Lincoln,
and the Republicans retained control,
though by dwindfng majorities until 1870,
when the Democrats elected the Governor
by over 1000 majority. Victory led to inter
nal dissensions, and the Gubernstorial cleo
ton of 1872 was contested by q regular
Democratic candidate and an Independent
Democrat. The latter was supported BY
the Republicans and was elected by about
$500 majority, which so demoralized the
Democrats, combined with the general
depression of The Greeley canvass, that
Grant carried the State for President a
month later. The tidal wave" of 1874
swept the Democracy back into power, and
they have carried the State ever since,
although Tilden's majoity of 1910 over
Hayes in 1876 sank to ii, l4S for Hancock
over Garfield in 1880
Long possession of unreStrained power
has bred its usual results. The Govern
ment has fallen ipto the hands Of a ring,
under which first extravaganza and then
corruption have become rampant Oppres-
sive tax laws have been enacted to raise
large revenues which would not be required
by an economical administration, and the
Supreme Court has been prostituted to sus-
tain every doubtful device which has been
resorted to- Quarrels between rival claim
ants to the leadership have been accompa-
MED by growing discomfort among the rank
and file, and spirit of widespread demon
liization has long prevailed.
The Republicans, on the other hand,
Sere never more united or enthusiastic.
he party candidate for President is no
yhere more popular than in West Virginia,
md q hopeful fight would have been made
% carry the State for Blaine without re-
gard to State issues, The prospect for the
October contest is altogether favorable to
the Republicans. Their convention yester-
day was large, harmonious and full of con-
idence, being thus in sharp contrast to the
riotous assemblage OF the Democrats a
week before. The sentiment was over
whelmingly in favor of rstifying the fusion
to which the Greenbackers had invited
them, and ticket was nominated which
contains three Greenbackefs to four Re-
publicans, the candidate for Governor being
a former Republican ofprominence, who is
now in utilization with the Greenbackers.
The Greenback and Republican vote for
President in 1880 came within 1000 OF
eaualing Hancocks and in 1882 the com
bined vote for Republican and Greenback
candidates in the Congressional elections
exceeded by over 1000 the total for the
Democratic candidates.
Northern Republicans cannot look with
appreciation upon coalition with Green
hackers, for such fusions have always re-
suited in damage to the party At the
anne time it is easy to understand the temp
ration which led the West Virginia brethren
astray, and the Democrats certainly deserve
no sympathy As a sign of possible break
in the "solid South, the prospect of Demo
cratic defeat in October is to be heartily
welcomed