Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-10-28
G0FF'S T~REACHERY.
HOW HE POLITICALLY ASSASSlNATED
CAPf. D0YENER
At the Caucus at the Generals House Previous to the
Weston ConysntOn-A True Statement ola
Scuryy Trick Worthy Of 0nlya Con-
tsmpibls Politician.
m ,Ls Editor ofLhs PsCiser:

disaffection among the Doyeuer element,
but make no mistake.
Early last spring before entering the
canvass, Doyener wrote to Mr.. Con asking
whether he purposed being 4 candidate Tor
denomination and received an answer stat
ing positively that he (Goff) would not
allow his name to go before the convention
as a candidate, but moreover w9uld no
accept if nominated.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM GOFF.
Shortly afterward Dovener received an
other letter from Golf. Reiterating his pre-
vious statements and promising his active
and earnest support, he advised Dovener to
pay particular attention to this end OF the
district and said that he lcouLd take care Of
the other, and how well he did will be seen.
With this assurance from Golf, Dovener
then actively began his canvass, and two
weeks before the convention assembled,
after spending his time and money freely
| IuT OuRn Tue ulsJliIt, hC 49,
nomination to be assured.
In order to make assurance doubly sure,
a prominent Republican worker and friend
of Dovener wrote Golf asking fol another
statement of his intentions and on Monday
morning before leaving for the convention
he received an answer from Golf again de-
nyiDg any intention of being a candidate.
This letter was shown among the Ohio
County delegation and they departed for
Weston, with great enthusiasm confident OF
Doyener's nomination.
Mr.. c. Burdettc Hart endcayored by
any and all means known to him to be sell
ected as one of the Ohio Countydelegation,
but Dovencr had no confidence in his
friendship. His services were not de-
mauded; failing in this he secured the
proxy of n delegate from the rural districts
and departed for Weston with blood in
his eve.
When the delegation arrived ut Clarks-
burg they were very much surprised at
receiving a summons for a conference ut
COTS house, which they accepted not
without some misgivings.
GoFF KSIFEs DOvENER.
The delegates walked up to the magnif-
cent mansion Of The wOrkingmGn'S
friend and were ushered into the parlOr.
Golf called Mr.. Hart out into the hall and
engaged in IN earnest conversation with
him while the rest were LETT TO inspect the
elegant appointments of the room. all Sc
cured By his noble Selt-Sacriticc and devo-
ton to his dear friend the wOrkingman.
They returned 10 the room in flew min
utcs and Hart took the floor. He
began by saying that the future of
the party was i'll imminent danger and
that they must use caution IN the choice
of their candidate, and finally stated that
their only salvation depended on COTS re-
nomination. The effect of these remarks
and the consequent excitement and con-
sternation caused can be more easily I'M
agined than told.
Dovcncr sprang angrily to his feet and
said that ne was being deceived and sold
Il by those he depended on for support,
and denounced them as having betrayed
him when victory seemed assured.
Gof, who had been working his part Of
the district, and knew he had a majority
in convention, answered that if the dele
CATION present 50 desired it, he would write
Il formal letter to the convention, declining
TO accept the nomination. Almost rs 4
man the delegation asked him to do so.
Hethen modified his statement, and said
that ifa majority in the convention de-
sired his withdrawal, and thought it for
the party's good, he would write the
letter.
The meeting became very noisy, and the
argument was kept up angrily and eN-
citedly on both sides until two o'clock,
when they adjourned without coming to
any agreement.
During the conference, Hart was asked
whether Golf was able to carry Ohio
county, He re piled that he was not PIE
pared osay; he was then asked whether
Golf was as strong now in Ohio counny as
when he ran before, he said that this was
hardly 4 fair question.
Another delegate said that Golf had in
suited a prominent citizen of Wheeling
in Washington and that this influence
tlOilt Nuulu lbNN Hllu 81" NOlCS.
Golf Sneered at the idea of a fellow like
that possessing any political influence at
all.
Mr.. Hart also said that by good work
the Republicans might be able to carry
the Legislature and re-district the State.
Dovener answered that a Democratic Gov
ernor was in the way with a veto and that
such a plan could not work.
The delegation left for Weston in the
morning in anything but a happy mood.
DOvener Immediately ordered q straw
taken and finding himself in the minority
was left with nothing to do but to place
Golf in nomination.
When the Ohio County delegation enter
ed the Convention hall there was no APP
plause or greeting whatever, but, on the
contrary. they were received with scowls
and sneers from all sides.
After transacting the preliminary bust
mesa DOvenor advanced to the platform to
nominate Golf. He received no applause
whatever except from Ohio County. until
he placed Gof in nomination when he be-
came a fine fellow.
After COTS nomination IVES Atkinson
advanced Ito,the platform. He said, as
between the two men they must not
consult personal preferment but must
choose from their political convictions. q
He then proceeded to eulogize Judge
Brannon in the highest possible manner
as a man of remarkable gifts, a gentleman
in every sense of the word, q man perfectly
honest, honorable and reliable in every
way, and a man who could represent the
district with credit to the State. This
speech and eulogy was received in n RepuJi-
edn ConrentioR with even more applause
than the nomination of Golf.
When the convention adjourned the del
egatiOn from Ohio county and part of the
Marshall county delegation gave vent 10
their feelings and thoughts in a way that
must have been terrible TO the ears Of
COTS followers and in spite of the endeav-
ors they could not be quoted. A bet was
offered in the convention by a delegate of
any part of $500 that Golf would be de-
feated and the bet was not taken, many
delegates present declaring they would not
give him their support.
On the return home the Dovener faction
from Marshall County was very indignant