Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-05-11
DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON.

A few days ago the REGISTER published
this squib:
"As President CLEVELAND has appointed
Hon. JOHN I. MCGRAw to be Collector OF
Internal Revenue for the First District Of
West Virginia and the Senate adjourned
without confirming the appointment, al
though waving any intention OF opposing
the appointment By their nou-con6rmstion
the democrats of West Virginia are exceed
ingly anxious the President resppoint Mr..
MCGRAw and thus dispose Of all anxiety and
irritation which further delay is apt to
cause"
Subsequent events proved the REGISTER
had tapped the pent up thoughts of the
Democrats in the State exactly. They
felt that the Office of the West Yir-
ginia Collectorship had been settled, that
Democrat had been appointed, and either
the one chosen should be re-sppoiuted aud
receive his commission or in the event Of
the President declining to do so, some other
Democrat should then be selected.
For IS the matter stands it is
great source OF irritation
to Democrats. The masses Of them cannot
understand the fine principles involved, if
principles there be, that could keep q Re-
publican in the Office after the President
had appointed Democrat. This feeling
has kept growing until on Saturday last 1t
took shape Quite number of West Virginia
Democrats who had assembled in Washing
ton held q consultation on the subject
ard formulated plan of action. The feel
ing was unanimous that the interests of the
party were suffering from delay, and that
early official action ought to be taken by
the President to sssusge the feeling snd re-
store confidence. To this end an invita-.
ton was extended to the West Virginia SEN
ators and Representatives who might
be in the city, to join the
conference, and have them ex-
PRESS their views. Senators CAMDEN
and KESSA, and Representatives GIBSON
and WILSON responded. Each gentleman
spoke fully upon the situation, in general
and all took the ground that the President
was moving as fast as it was possible, with
due consideration for the deficiency OF the
public service. Representative GIBSON was
not as emphatic in his opinion upon the
question Of the removal of postmssters as
his colleagues. He thought there were
quite number that ought to 60 at
once without further delay or
parley, because there was not one Of them
but what had been as partizan and active
in the past campaign, as any member Of the
Republican party. Representative WILSON
dwelt at some length upon the Presidents
determination to keep commissioned officers
in power until the expiration Of their terms
OF appointment, unless good cause was
shown for their removal, properly suthanti-
Gated. He felt confident Mr.. CLEVELAND
was in deed as well as word, en-rapport
with the civil service reform move
mont. All the gentlemen spoke very
freely and from the tenor of their talk, the
many DemOcras present were fairly salts
fed the West Virginia Congressional dele
CATION were bringing united front to bear
on the President for the speedy removal of
Republican Office holders and the su5sti-
tuition of Democrats.
Mr.. McGRAw's and Prot BIsCas cases
were then specially considered and the
conclusion reached that as q body they call
on Secretarys MANNING and BIYARD and
express their sentiments. What was done
is fully set forth on the third page Of this
mornings REcIsEER. As the new rule
went into effect on Saturday, which ex-
cluded all visitors from sn audience with
the Executive on that day, Mr.. CLETELLSD
could not been seen. Most of the West
YirgiDians Who were in Washington on
Saturday viii hold over until to-day, at
which time there viii be 3 number OF acees-