Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-12-14
SECRET CAMPAIGN.
how GROVER CLEVBLAND'S CHARACTER
WAS ASSASSINATBD
In the Late Campaign By Society Ladies and Promi-
nsRt RspabIcanS-DePew Open 70 ProsecU-
tiOn-UnparallslSd Lying Scandal
PitAbutl Pos.


Cleveland aud his beautiful and accom-.
plished wife, which were 30 extensively
circulated during the lsss campaign and
discussed by Chauncey NJ. Dspew and
oilers at q dinner party in New York,
were really q part of the Infamous plan OF
the national campaign conducted by the
managers of the Republican party and
there now seems TO he little doub. that the
manner in which they were circulated just
before the election. lost President Cleve-
land many votes, and perhaps was largely
instrumental, along with Unlimited boo
die, in carryin doubtful States for Harri-
son.
These wicked and false reports were part
of the secret plan of campaign against Mr.
Cleveland. They wers not printed by Re-
| publican organs, because they could easily
have been proven fals1, and as campaign
lies wouli have acted 80 q Boomerang
But they were circulated in a quiet way
from mouth to mouth by some OF the lead
ing Republican ladies Of the land, the
| wives of msn holding high official poai-
tions, in many cases 1t was expected,
and with reason, that the authority Cf
such prominent society women, many OF
whom reside at least q part OF the time In
Washington, would have much greater
weight than intimations Ia the public
prints, and besides they could speak with
much less probability Of successful contra
diction.
The scandals were we'll circulated in
Pittsburg, and here, as elsewhere, ladies
who stand high in society were used as
instruments for the spreading broadcast
of the infamous lies. These ladies prob
ably had been led to believe them. l. is
charitable at least 10 suppose 80. But
whether they believed CT disbelieved
them, tie fact remains that they helped
10 wing the calumIOus ~fsl5ehoOd5. These
ladies' we're aided and abette1 ny very
prominent Republicans. The city would
suffer a shock of paralysis if the Post were
so disclose the names that have been sup
piled it Of the upper ten" leaders, male
md female, who have been guilty CT de
tanning the honor and COOL name Of the
president of the United States, at high
teas" IN counting rooms and business
houses, on street corners and elsewhere.
So the story spread in this vicinity,
through tocieiy women at first, eventually
penetrating, in 2 quiet way, to sll classes,
added % end vouCre ed for in msny case',
By each person repeating them.
In this same way was the scheme work
ed ell over the country, especial etorts 10
give the stO7 e~5''Circulation by prominent
ladies' being msds ia such doubtful States
as Indiana and West Virginia. The Dam
oCrat;c managers, Of course, had inklirgs
Of these stories. To deny them to each
individual, however, was impossible,
while to have denied them through the
uewspaI era would have given greater pub
licity t. them, and perhaps more impor-
lance THAI they desired.
+. 7. Iams, ESQ . of this city, who was
one OF the speakers for the national Demo
cratic party, and who did considerable
work in Wtss Virginia, laid yesterday
Afternoon when the subject was broactei
70 him:
III was psrt Of the Republican cam.
pzigu plan, aud was worked in West WI
ginia foc all il was worth. The stO' leg
were rot all told in campaign sVeeCbeibu
circulated quietly by wives Of leaders OF
the Republican party, just al was coae
here in Pittsbury, ana IN II way 10 do more
harm than in any re way that car be
conceived. They told that Mr.. Cleveland
vent tishing on Sunday, had drunken
| csr0usals. and EVEN went 40 far rs to beat
his wife. Whetli1 particularly was flood
ed with stories for the women the power
behind the throne while for the Ter,
stories uniit FIR print, which, iftrue, would
b9 an indelihls bot on any mans man
hood, were circulated against Mr.. Cievs-
land. Among the more ignorant ard i(lit-
cate classes these stories, uttt riy baeel's'
u they were, were bound to have their
effect, and doubtless this CTS. us many u
vote which other wise would hive heen cast
for Mr. Cleveland. l have rea,on 10 believe
these Infamous stories were circIla'ei 10
the came manner in all the doubtful States
and l csn believe contributed largely to
the Preeiteat's defeat for reelection
Hen. A. c. Robertson, q spesker during
ire csmpsigu for the National Republican
Committee, did considerable work in lodi
ana. When spoken 10 about tie matter
Yesterday afteraCoa Re smiled ConplacentlV
and said: .."Ob, yes; | heard those stO,ies
ont in Indiana, and l have no doub! they
were worked for all they were worth