Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-08-23
HEsT TTRGINIA DEMOCRATS.
Convention at Huntington.



HUNTINGTON, w. VA, Aug. l6.-This
town, which covers six square miles and Is
laid off with avenues and streets as broad as
Washington, is not big enough to hold all
the Democrats who have gathered here to
nominate state ticket and presidential
electors for the fall election. Huntington
was founded by the railroad magnate of that
name, and has population Of over 5000,
number of large business houses and five or
six hotels. 1t is Democratic town, and Is
full in every sense Of the word. Not even
soft plank for sleeping can be had at either
of the hotels and a committee on entertain
ment is quartering the delegates and other
visitors i'm private houses The influx be-
gan Wednesday afternoon, and the trains
this morning brought accessions to the crowd.
The convention itself has seven hundred and
thirteen members, representing 81 counties,
The State ticket to be nominated includes
the Governor, auditor, encouragement,
treasurer. superintendent of public schools,
and two Judges of the Court of Appeals.
For each of these Offices there are at least
half dozen aspirants, and the friends OF
candidates who have come to the meeting far
ounumber the delegates The meeting
place of the convention is a large wooden
structure. one story high, into which 1000
sweltering men were packed, most OF them
sitting or standing with their coats of, and
tanning frantically to keep from tainting
The heat in this low wooden building was
something extraordinary. To begin with,
the atmosphere was sultry, and the blazing
sun poured its rays on the single roof ofth
wigwam until the temperature inside was
like bakeoven. That no one tainted was
because the assemblage was made up Of the
true bone and sinew of West Virginia. But
the heat made the officers and dignitaries
dizzy who sat on the platform, raised three
or four feet nearer to the roof than the dele
gates ON the floor. Overhead the starry dra-
perry of the national colOrs almost hid the
rafters supporting the shingles. The blazing
mass of color iatigucd the eye Two brass
| bands engaged in a duel to drown each other
and deaten the perspiring crowd with ma
tional airs. The music marched and cOun-
termarched through the wilderness and pa
raded through the whole gamut of patriotic
blowing and piping, but their efforts only
added to the excitement, heat and suffering
of the crowd. No business was done in the
forenoon except the appointment of prelim-
mary committees Senator Kenna was made
chairman of the committee ON platform.
senator CD. Faulkner, who was both tenn
porary and permanent chairman, made a
splendid hot-weather executive. Itrequired
mo- little force of character to control large
crowd under the conditions attending the
meeting of this convention. Mr. Faulkner,
however, was the master of the situation,
and did not take off his coat, though in this
respect he was conspicuous exception, for
nearly every other man in the assembly was
~huckcd
SENATOR FAULKNER's SPEECH.
senator Faulkner, ON taking the chair,
was greeted with rounds Of applause. He
made striking and sound Democratic
speech. handling the tariff question without
glove, and sleeves rolled up. He said that
for,ixtecn year, the Democratic party has
controlled the dcstinie> of West Virginia
with fairness to all interests and with Justice
to all sections. The people are satisfied, but
the leader, of the Republican party hope by
presenting federal issue to divert their at
tentiou from State affairs, and upon the in
toxicating theory of free whiskey and the
advantage that they viii reap from high tax
alton of every article that enter, into the
daily consumption of the people to chill the
enthusiasm and weaken the energy of the
great Democratic heart, but they will be dis
appointed. OF Mr. Baine's position, Sena-
tor Faulkner said he attempts, to conceal the
issue i'm the interest of monopolies and trusts
bv crying wages, wages. Anything which
diverts the question from the wrongs now in
Aictcd upon the wagc-carncr and the farmer
bv the present excessive, burthcnsome and
unjust taxation will weaken the campaign
Let he discussed ON every hill top, in every
valley ON the plains and in the cabin. The
Republicans demand that 59,OOO,OOOpcople
shall pay tribute to 100000 The cry of
"frcc trade" the destruction of manutac-
turing and mining industries and the reduc-
ton of wages will not deceive the people or
alarm the business interests of our country
The history of the Democratic party for 60
years retutcs the charge, and the people of
West Virginia and the country viii indorsc
the conservative reduction of this excessive
war tariff, which is made i'm spirit of fair
ness toall interests.
Senator Faulkner paid glowing tribute
to the craftsmanship of President Cleveland,
which was received with cheers. He said
the country and the Democratic party owe
much to the President, who has merited and
won the entire confidence of the people.
His conduct since his elevation to the high
office of Chief Executive of the republic
presents i'm vivid color> the dividing line be-
tween the weak and truculent politician,
.,,.s,-.,l l,,- Ivory nlonont9rv breoze of NOM