The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-01-15
AB0RTIVE ATTEMPT
TO DROP AN EsfrnATIc HINT
To Presldsnt.Eleet cleveland Concerning
Federal Patronage IN West virginia.
The Gibson Caucus switched or Into
a Revenue Reform channel.

i
!. Federal Patronage IN West virginia.
a The Gibson Caucus switched or Into
Revenue Reform Channel.
Last evening was the time fixed fol
Congressman Gibson's alleged anti.protec
Tive tariff conference. Invitations wert
sent out 10 prominent men to attend thii
caucus, ostensibly to advise Mr.. Gibson
concerning his course on the reciprocity
treaties, the Nicauraugan canal project
and some other questions which promise
to assume prominence in the present Sos
sion Of Congress. Itwas also understood
that the caucus was to be asked 10 protest
against the effort to get up . protective
tariff party within the great Democratic
party, which effort Is supposed to account
ior Mr.. Randall's triumphanttour through
the South. =
This was the understanding. The real
object OF the caucus was to get control Of
the Federal patronage OF Cleveland's ad-
ministrafion in West Virginia. II was APP
parent sometime ago to MIR. Gibson and
other Democrats that the United States
Senators from this State would largely con-
troll the Federal patronage In this State
unless something could be done to pre-
vent. Therefore this scheme had its in
ception some time ago. The intent was
to give Mr., Cleyelandto understand that
the people OF West Virginia desired those
members Of Congress from this State who
had enrolled themselves among the tariff
reformers" otherwise free traders) to
exert the principal influence here. Mr..
Gibson's idea was that Mr.. Wilson, OF the
Second District, would not take much in
terest in the matter, and II would there
fore soon devolye largely upon himself TO
ladle out the papiini West Virginia. III
THE CAUCUS DROPS, n
The caucus was 70 meet in the COM
modious room OF Mr.. Gibson, at the Nc
Lure house, at halt.past seven. At that
time, however, there was nobody there,
and some OF Mr.. Gibson's friends were
sent down stairs to beat the bushes. This
did not succeed well, and Mr.. Gibson him
selfcame down. Finally about q score OF
men OF more or less prominence were
gathered together. The assembly was
notable rather for the. absence OF promi-
nent members Of the party. Governor
elect Wilson was invited, butsaw through
tile scheme, and wrote that he was in full
accord with the idea OF the meeting, but
business would prevent his presence in
Wheeling until the 24th.
A number Of other prominent Demo
Gratis who were in town concluded not TO
70 to the caucus. When it was called to
order Col. Alex. Monroe, Col. B. w.
Byrne, Hon. Dan Lucas, Mr.. Armstrong,
OF jackson county, Mai. VIII jackson,
Col. Chew, Of Jefferson county, Mr.. Parks
and Mr.. Ferguson, of the House, Wayne
Ferguson, DR.. Mitchell, 0'Kane & Divine,
and Mr.. Gibson himself, were present.
Several others dropped in later. Col.
Hassler lay down on the bed and INDUCED
in a solid snooze, with occasional inter
missions devoted to interrupting the
speakers. ]. M. Mason looked In once or
twice, and finally also threw himself at
full length on the bed. Dave Leonard
came in later, and showed plainly that he
was notin accord with the movement. Ma
jor laessen psepesii ant went away.
There was some hesitancyab about starting
of. Finally Mr.. Gibson said the purpose
Of the caucus was to get an opinion from
his. people on the reciprocity treaties on
which he would soon be called upon to
vote. Using the words .his people, he
did not mean the people Of his own im.
mediate Fourth District, but the people Of
the whole State, whom he felt he partly
represented. He said he believed in q |
thorough reform in the tariff, and would
concede TO any country the right to enter
our ports ona free list with their manuiac-
tured goods, provided the same privilege
was granted this country for her products.
He did not believe the peoplewer clamor.
ing for the abolition Of the internal reye.
nue. law. He did not think the men Of
this country were prepared to say they
were willing to get free whisky and free
tobacco and pay a high tariff price for the
blankets necessary to keep the bitter frost
from the limbs Of their children.
nlSrlSe AT TIE REAL oBJEcr.
8fr. Gibson said his talks with Presi-
dentelect Cleveland were very encoprag-
ing, SO far as this State was concerned.
Mr. Cleveland assured him that after the
October election he looked upon this
State with no little concern;t he regard
ed II as q pivotal state IN the November
contest, and was pleased w1th the victory
achieved and especially IN the localities
where the issue was square between tariff
and revenue reform. The contest In these
districts was upon, question which
placed the Democfanc party, N its proper
light, and in each instance It's principles
were endorsed by tho people. To these.
districts he referred as jbeing worthyof
consideration in the distribution, ,oi patro-
mage. 7,l,