The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-04-27
LEWIS COUNTY, poLIrIcs.
The Different Democrats FAc,ioas-LlVsly
Times Ahead,
COrresDOudsnce OtuA h~tSligaIotT.

Ian 40 SOpN'A FOLlAIIS1
The Different Democratic F~RctiOnS-LlTsly
Times Ahead.
Correspondence otuH hiSRigataT.
WESTON, w, VA, April 29.-The people
in our midst were more than amused at
a recent cut and dried interview with the
Hon, W, B. McGaFy, of this county, which
appeared in a late issue OF the Register.
The fact that the honorable gentleman IL
one OF Senator Camden appointees hold
ing the position Of postal clerkon the mar
row gauge railroad, and at the same time
an offensive partisan Of the most pro-
nouuCsd type will account for the eager
ness with which he seeks to advertise the
claims OF Mr., Camden for reelection to
the U. s, Senate. But truth Compels me
TO say that from the center to the cirCum.
ference OF that %gentleman's dynasty no
other spot can be found in which there Is
more red hot %aItagonism to his return 10
his present position than right here Ia the
land OF his birth, In truth the Senator was
never one Of Lewis County's iavorite sons.
Years ago when he made his first
venture into the political fields US a Candi-
date for Prosecuting Attorney he was
badly defeated mot elected, as MI.
MCGary has i) by Henry Brannon, our
present Circuit Judge, Afterwards, when
fortune had favored his speculations, his
aspirations SCARED aloft and he sought
gubernatorisl honors, his native county
gave him the cold shoulder to the tune Of
about 400 adverse majority. His instru.
mentality in completing the narrow gauge
railroad does not seem to have given him
q lasting place In the affections Of our
people when they reflect upon the man.
ner in which he gobbled up $4,000 OF the
county and town subscription to the aiore-
said road, and learn that he is realizing 80
percent per annum on his original invest
nent, they are prone to regard this as a
brilliant financial achievement rather
than as an act Of natural love and alice.
ton from o dutiful son.
Since reading the aforesaid interview
the spirit moves me 10 give q fair and i'm.
partial account ofthe Democratic Cauldron
as 1t hoils In this county. IN order 10
fully explain the situation in this county
II will be necessary 10 60 back 10 the
Jacobs and Camden fight in 1872. Then
as now the Democratic party here was
dominated by FIVE families, the Arnolds,
BENEFITS, Blands, Brannons and Edmis.
tons. In that fight the Arnolds, BANDS
and Edmistons pinned their faith to
Jacobs, while the Brennons and Bennetts
supported Camden. Time, however, has
wrought many changes, even to the split.
ting up OF some Of these families. Judge
EdmiStOn, who was before the Democratic
Convention at Parkersburg seeking the
nomination for Supreme Judge, and who
bolted the ticket and ran as on independ-
ent for that office, Is still supposed to
nurse his venom against the honorable
Senator, while his son Andy, who sup.
ported the Jacobs wing in 1872 and who
was elected TO the Legislature from this
county as n supposed and promised friend
OF John Brannon's, yielded 10 the delicate
%manipulations known TO the Coal oil ring,
and ~ the disgust and surprise OF that
gentleman and Ills friends cast bis
trembling ballot in favor OF Camden, and
has ever since been Counted In" with
that party. 0fthe Brannons Judge John
has become bitterly opposed 10 the senior
Senator, whilst Judge Henry whose hair
breadth escape from the residence OF Col
Ben Smith, OF Charleston, during the
senatorial election Of 1871 into the Davis
and Camden camp 10 still supposed TO
have q lingering affection Tor that pasture.
Jonathan NJ. Bennett Ia president of.the
BuCkhannon branch Of the Senator's mar
row gusge road, and largely interested in
both branches as a stakeholder, and who
In years past was a law partner Of Judge
Gideon draper Camden has a.kind feeling
for the Camden iatnily, and synpathiSes
with the Senator in his fight whilst his
son w. G. Bennett strikes right out from
thu shoulders in opposition whenever the
name Of Camden 10 mentioned. Dr.. W..
]. Bland still nurses lis wrath and has
added fuel to fire against the Camdens
ever since DR.. I. B. Camden defeated him
for the position he nov occupies. w. i.
Arnold still hates the ring % strongly ss
he did In days Of yoFe. but his legislature
aspirations have rendered him more dis,
Greet than he was in 1872. Andy Ed.
mission, editor Of the Weston World and
THOMAS A. Edwards, editor Of the Demo.
Graf each Gspirato the leadership Of the
Camden faction III this county. Each
claims to be his f~avorite henchman and
the disposer OF his patronage, and
the jealousy growing out Of this
CS IsG'' Is amusing "a bshpld aRd
at times threatens to disrupt this faction
in twain. II has already prevented u dis.
tributlon OF patronage here, and left some
Democrats shlyering in the cold who
would otherwise be nestled In comforta.
bic quarters under the Reform admins.
trstion. Edwards has the most ability,
but has no spinal column, and conse.
uuently in their little contests Edmiston
generally manages to get away with him
6y sheer audaClty and i%mpudenCe. III
this condition Of Affairs the difficulty
OF the Democracy selecting q candidate Ia
apparent, and each faction appreciates lie
own weakness. Andy EdmIston would
gladly take the position Of standard bearer
ior The Camden faction, but Edwards
thinks he Is better qualified himself for
that honorable position and won't hear Of
Il, Andy has always been remarkably
handy with promises, and Eheuld he enter
tGe ace bis many pledges dnredeemed
Sill rise up before him like Banquo's
vhost and would not be down.
All the lennetts, the Blauds and the en-.
lire Snti. Camden iaOtlon wogld iHake open
and avoyed war upon him to saY, nothing
Of t6e many Sledge hammer blows he
would receive from Judge John Rtanrdh
and bis ifiendg. y Is safe 70 say that
IHaddy Andy" that promising young
man, would meet q more inglorlous defeat
than overlook him In bis last struggle to
return 10 the Legislature from this county.
William q. Arnold is thinking seriously
Of being a candidate, but bis defeat would
be assured as that Of "Handy Andy's,n
"A his democracy has not been above sus.
plcIon In the Last few year,. His refusal
10 Join the Cleveland and Hendricks club
and 10 illuminate his house during the
march OF the PROFESSIONS has not been for
gotten by the 'yawpefs," and II ls said