The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-02-13
STEPHEN u. ELKiSs.


An Intelligent aud Just Estimate of n Well.
known Man.
Philadelphia Pras.
Mr.. j. S. GARRISON, Of the Io,ra STATE
Register. who was associated with Mr..
Elkins on the Republican National Com,
mitsee, makes the following estimate Of
his character and ability, and it is Just
answer TO current misrepresentation:
A news despatch in to-day's Register
gives the opinions OF some leading Demo.
crats-who are personal acquaintances Of
the gentleman-in defenceand vindication
OF the Hon. S. B Elkins, against current
SANDER and abuse. There is probably no
maninpublic lifein America whohas been
so persistentlyand so meanly misrepresent-
ed us Mr.. Llkins Active political enmity
has fed public curiosity on misrepresenta-
ton in respect Of him until in every
quarter where he Is not personally known
he is most unjustly estimated.
In truth, MIR. Elkins, in public and
private life, is one Of the most admirable
OF American gentlemen. The popular con-
ccption OF his character, that he is All ad-
venturer and bold operator in politics,
CUulu llOb w AOIS NiOuE VI IaloSs III
stead, he is a gentleman Of liberal educa.
ton, refined tastes, quiet habits, avoiding
rather than counting publicity, and find.
ing the greatestpleaBure IN life in his own
home and in the society Of his friends, lie
is one OF the most catholic, tolerant and
Christian OF men-a warm friend and a
generous foe.
He is SO far from being bitterly partisan
and narrow that his warmest personal
friends are about equally Democratic and
Republican. There is probably no Repub.
iican who has 30 many close friends and
admirers among the leading Democrats oil
the country as he has.
lie was elected to Congress from New
Mexico under the most flattering auspices
rs the Democrat quoted today shows. In
Congress Ills intellectual strength, his hard
sound sense, his generous nature, and
high minded personal worth won him the
friendship OF the best men OF all parties
This high regard, won by force Of his own
liberal merits, lie has constantly kept, and
1t has changed only to be frightened by
the lapse OF time.
Ho is great, strong, broad man, with
caution rather than daring his character
;stic as political manager-with gcner,
ous.minded habit OF trusting people in
politics too much, rather than too little,
his most serious fauit. He is slow to be-
lieve i'll OF any one, and quick TO forget
wrong and forgive injury, although II Is to
| be hoped he will have enough Of the old
stamina OF the earth earthly TO treasure
up and pay of with good interest some o.
the debts OF this kind incurred In the late
campaign.
He wont into this campaign whole
Length, because OF his warm persona
friendship and personal faith in Blaine
His great ability as an organizer largely
gave direction to The public sentiment
which sent the party TO Chicago so warn
for Blaine, and his equally great skill as {
manager was made plain In Blaine's sue
cess in the convention. In the campaign
he rendered as great service with as grea
ability, and every step that he took ant
every act that he did was clean, honora
bic and right. Instead OF being reckless
or doubtful in his methods, he Is one o
the most scrupulous OF men. There wa
mot an action on his part In the campaign
which he need fear, or would lear, to hay'
made public. He was not willing to tigh
the fire Of tho Democratic methods b.
which New York was stolen by them b,
anything like return OF similar fire, ant
lagreed with Mr.. Jones and the rest Of tn
fCampaigu Committee that 1t were bette
to lose the State and the contest honora
IDLY than to gain 1t by any doubhu
means or dishonest measures. II all pc
liticaI managers were as clean.handed 81,
as resolute in keeping within such fai
methods as Dir. Elking, the quality {
American politics would be improved
/ large percent.
I Mr. Elkins' preference Is for 9 quit
J rather than q conspicuous LIE. He LIKE
! home lifO besti he has no liking Tor elu