The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-09-08
TRYING TO STEAL A STATE.
Republicans ColonizinS West Virginia
~ win IIeR owes:
From the Ne,O liarl; Star.

From the Nele Iark Star.
One of the most sensational features of the
campaign yet made public ia the discovery
that the Republicans have attempted to colo
nize state for the purpose Of winning its
electoral vote. 1t was apparent early last
week that deep bubbling in the cauldron of
politics there were troubled waters, which
promised ere long to bring to the surface
about as bold piece of scuryy work on the
part of the Republicans as they ever dreamed
Of, even in the palmy days of carpetbag rqle.
Frightened, homeless and despairilg. the
Republican leaders are obliged to resort TO the
most inscriptions acts, one of which, now
about to be made public, contemplated nothing
less than the theft of six electoral votes in the
atate of West Virginia by colonization.
The West Virginia Central and Pittsburg
Railway extends from Piedmont to Davis, IN
that state, distance of sixty miles. 1t had
originally been known as the Potomac and
Piedmont Coal and Railway Company, but
was recognized in 1881. Ex-senator Henry
g. Davis is now its president s;ephea b,
Elkins vice president, and among its stock.
holders is James G. Blaine. Stephen B.
Elkins was at one time offered the nomination
for Congress from Tucker county, through a
greater part of which the railroad rHgg Al
FaYs ali ardent adgoiate pr tha, Greatest
DtdRCot4leflf t4Ot7Hkt iint f5laiip
would be nominated by his party for the Pres
idency in 1883, and early in the year he began
figuring upon the possibility of overcoming
President Cleveland plurality Of 1884, which
was 4,221, and carrying the state for the Re-
publicans.
Efforts in that direction had been mads
before, but il was tloHghE that the hereH in
ternal dissensions prevailing among the Dem
perats would distract their attention from the
,enemy and render the scheme feasible now.
Deacon James P. Foster, whose great dip
lomatie attaippents we're even then beginning
to be recognised, although he had not at that
time issued his now famous fat circular,
was consulted, as president of the Republican
League Clubs, and at once undertook the
formation of clubs throughout West Virginia.
During the months of January and February
Afr. Foster vas extremely busy With this work,
and wherever he could find three men, or
two, or even one, he organised Republican
political club, the result of his efforts being
seen when, at the meeting of the National
League of Clubs, 125 responded from the
state of West Virginia, number totally dis
proportionate to its population and political
characteristics
Quietly but steadily the membership Of the
clubs there has been increasing, and the fine
hand of the practiced politician has been de-
Lecteu QfalLinE ueEEOeS lTOHi Inc uOpStCSSiy
Democratic states of Virginia and North
Carolina, all along the line of the railroad
owned by Messrs. Blaine and Elkins. Al.
ready it is said eyer 1000 hage beep eplanized
in tins way, and the success of the Democratic
state ticket imperilea.
But fierce as Democrats may honestly fight
among themselves In West Virginia, they can
present solid front to the common enemy.
1t was through Mr.. Jonathan Barrett, e
constructing engineer identified prominently
with the building Of the railroad, that atten
ton was first directed to the underhand move
ments of the Republicans. Mr.. Barrett is
thorough Democrat, and some time ago meet
ing a member of the National Democratic
Committee he said to himi
..Be careful about West Virginia, or you
run chance Of losing it,
Mr.. Barrett then gave his reasons for the
statement, which were Of such character as
to leave no doubt that the situation was indeed
serious. Inquiry was quietly set on foot, facts
and figures gathered together, and it is not
unfair to presume that revelation of RepHb.
licap raseality and underhand will
shortly be made WHICH will shock many limo
cent and con6dilg people who still pin their
faith 70 the Aparty Of moral IDEAS
Mr.. Elkins denies the above story.