Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-08-09
THE DISTRICT ArrORNEYsuIP.
Interviews With Senator Camden and Mr..
Leonard on the Subject.

| Special Tlsyrdm 10 he SURidy Register.
| PARKEIsBURG, W. VA, August =
/ The State Journal of Parkersburg, and the
| Cincinnati Commercial have within the past
few days contained letters purpOrting to be
interviews and statements OF facts relating
to the circumstances by which Mr.. Leon
ard was defeated by Mr.. Watts in the con-
/ test for the District AttOrneyship. In the
S;lme letters Senator Camden Is charged
with ingratitude, Inconsistency and decep-
| ton, and an attempt is plainly made to
! deceive the people rs to the facts and to
render Mr.. Leonar,l'S many friends diSSatiS-
fled a d Ia make political capital against
Mr.. Camden. In order to ascertain the
truth in this matter. | have interviewed
both Mr. Camden and Mr.. Leonard, and
will in rs brief manner rs possible, give
the REGIsTER readers the plain facts:
"Mr. Camden, suppose you have read
the reports in the Republican papers which
charge you with having been ungrateful
to Mr.. Leonard and with having deliber
Ltely sacrificed him.
Yes; read the letter in the State Jour
nal and the Cincinnati Commercial. -
lis there any truth in any of the allega-
tons made?"
There is no foundation whatever for
the assertions. The publication is simply
made for the purpose of creating diSsen-
SionS in the Democratic party, and render
lng Mr.. LcOnard's friends dissatisfied by
.harging me with treating him unfairly.
In order to settle the matter SATISFACTORY
~ To everyone interested / will refer you
to Mr.. Leonard himself, and will only say
this: that did all could for him, and
that nothing was done by me without his
knowledge and consent
4 little later in the day l found Mr..
Leonard with Il few minutes leisure time,
and presented the matter to him. He had
read all the letters or had heard of them,
and was ready to retute every statement
imputing ingratitude and uniairneSS to
Senator Camden. After giving general
account of the contest between himself,
Nr. Watts and Mr.. Daley, Mr.. Leonard
said:
Il was in Washington myself, rs was
llso MeSSrS. Watts and Daley. Mr.. Watts
was represented by Senator Kenna, MIR.
Daley 6y ex-senator Henry Il. Davis, and
myself by Senator Camden. Senator Cam
den acted in thorough good faith toward
me. and did nothing in the matter without
first consulting with me. The con
test WIS close and warm, but good
natured and fIiends throughout Mr..
Watts claims were presented by MIR.
Kenna, who claimed that the Third Con-
gressional district, the strongest Democrat
ic district i'm the State, had 80 far received
no Federal patronage, and that 1t was en-
titled 10 the position. Neither one OF the
Senators for moment betrayed the slight
eSt intention OF indication Of sacrificing
his candidate. but stuck to him to the last.
several attempts to compromise the matter
were made, particularly after President
| Cleveland had notified them that the APP
pOintmcnt would have to be made during
the present session of Congress, and that IL
they could not agree between themselves
ne would have to make the selection, ana
could not discriminate rs between
Senators Camden and henna'
Finally it was concluded among
| ourselves 10 leave the matter To an impair
tiaI committee, which decided in favor OF
Mr.. Watts, no doubt on n geographical
basis, and the claims of the Third Congress
sionaI District. In conclusion l will say
that the letters and communications pub
lished in various papers are Onl gwen pun
licity for the purpose of creating dlSSatls-
faction among my friends IN the Demo,
cratic party, and thereby making PoI'icai
capital for the Republican party"
Then you are perfectly satisfied tnt
senator Camden supported you honestly
throughout the cOntest?"
YES; he labOred ineeSSantly and warm
IL in nv behalf. and have no doubt felt
almost as badly disappointed over the re-
sult rs myself did. Ii 1t had not been
for the determined efforts Ex-senator kenna,
hacked by the claims Oftbe Third ConSres-
sional District, would have gotten the
While Mr.. Leonard did not refer to the
details of the geographical basis upon
which the committee decided, l think
can saw with safety that Mr.. Leonard VIII
be the Deputy United States Attorney.
and will attend to all the business oil the
limited States Court at Wheeling, ClarSs-
burg and Parkersburg, while Attorney
| General Watts will attend to the business
at Charleston.