The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-05
gem. GOFF CONFIDENT
That He Was Fairly Elected
Governor of West Virginia.
WILL STAND FOR HIS RIGHTS
And the Rights Of the Pcople-some
Democratic Leaders VIII Find
Themselves in Prison Before
Long-somc Manly Talk.


NEw YoRK, December 4.-The Tribune
publishes the following special from
Washington:
Governor-elect Goff, of West Virginia,
who has come here to take his seat in
Congress tomorrow, Is unmoved by the
howl of "iraud" raised by Democrats in
that State and echoed in Democratic
newspapers throughout the country. To
Tribune correspondent General GofI
said:
at reminds me Of Satan trying to 1e-
buke sin. Why, the men who are wax
ing the echoes with their howls about
frauds in West Virginia are the very
men who were guilty OF frauds; they are
stepped &c the eyes in fraud. l did not
believe until this election that my politi-
cal opponents in West Virginia would
resort TO such foul means in political
contest. want to say now that some
Democrats in my State, and some who
are leaders OF no mean degree, Will be
vigorously prosecuted in the courts Tor
violations OF the laws against bribery,
corruption and fraud in the recent eiec-
ton, and il am not greatly mistaken,
more than one OF them will see the in-
side OF prison before many months
roll by. The Republicans Intend to ex-
pose the frauds and convict the otten-
ders."
ACCOUNTS FOR HIS VICTORY.
"Upon what prctext is the Democratic
outcry raised?"
"WeIl, the Democrats assert that
wherever a county which gave Demo-
cratic majority four years ago gave n Re-
publican majority this year there was
primd fdcie evidence OF fraud. So, too,
wherethe Republican majorities have in-
creased. Why, there is Mcdowell coun-
ty, which gave Republican majority
this year for the first time. l spoke at a
place in that county few weeks ago,
from the-veranda OF acommodious hotel
in thriving town OF 1880 inhabitants.
Three years ago the place where that
hotel and town stand was covered by
native forest. The town owes its exist
ence to the protective tariff. The fires
OF 500 coke ovens in the county would go
out under free trade policy. The nat
ural resources oithe county arc OF meal
cuiabie value and fairiy fncStiaustible,
but they would never be developed under
the policy which this Administration
sought to impose upon the country.
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS SHOULD KEEP QUIET.
"Tbc voters OF Mcdowell county real
lied that, and a majority Of them deter
mined to vote the straight Republican
ticket. They did not need much coax
ing to ds 90, either. for they knew as well
as anybody on which side their bread
was buttcred. That is only an instance.
Now, happen to know, because have
some OF their ante.eection estimates in
their own handwriting in my possession,
that the Democratic leaders conceded
Republican majorities us large us ! re-
ceived in the counties respecting which
they are raising this post.election howl
OF fraud. They would better subside
their emotions and keep quiet. A full
investigation will not rebound to their
credit, comfort or safety"
"Do you expect that Judge Fleming
will contest your election?'
ayes, that is the tenor OF my inform
alton. | think the Democratic leaders
will compel him to do SO. The contest
will have to be tried by the Legislature.
have no fear as to the result, il the
proceedings be fairand impartial"
"What about the Congressman"
"The Republicans have elected three
OF the four members. The majority was
small in each ease, but three men were
never more fairly and honestly elected
than were Atkinson, McGinnis aud
Smith, the Republican candidates in the
First, Second and Fourth districts"