Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-06-29
REPUBLICAN VIEWS OF Mr.. HAIR
RlsoN.

RIsON.
Honest Republican journals, which do
not openly express their chagrin at the
nomination of BEN HARRISON, carefully
refrain from giving any opinion Of his can
didacy. To learn their views We must 90
back to the time preceding the nomination.
We don't have to do this, however, in the
case Of the Chicago Tribune, the leading
Republican organ Of the West, and many
other straight Republican journals who
snap their fingers at the bosses. The day
after HARRIsoN's nomination the Tribune,
under the captioo, slow Gresham and
Allison Were Defeated" talked out in
meetin' in the following manner:
The Tribune ceased to feel confidence in
Gresham's nomination as soon as 1t discov-
cred the power Of few great or crooked
corporations in the convention. From the
moment that railroad attorneys and lobby
lists from California, Nebraska, Iowa, Wis
cousin, and New York took their places in
the convention and made their first display
of strength in electing Thurston, the Union
Pacific lobbyist, to the Temporary Chair
mauship, Gresham's chances became
clouded.
When availability was thrown overheard
snd the agents Of Gouldism Infused into
the delegates the foolish notion that the
ultrs-high tariff plank would elect any
body, no matter how unpopular, and
pointed to Oregon in support Of the stupid
assertion, the Tribune saw who was pulling
the wires. Yet while the crooked railroad
attorneys talked about the tariff plank
electing any one, even wooden Indian,
their acts belied their words. Some days
ago the Tribune said the real problem with
the representatives of Gouldism in the
convention was show TO defeat Gresham
and vet secure q candidate who could be
elected" So it proved. They sought to
perform the work of their employer in
accomplishing the political assassination
of Gresham, and yet wanted to secure
themselves against the charge Of betrsying
the Republican party to crushing defeat.
Some of the most powerful forces In the
convention might be enumerated thus:
1. jay Gould and the Wabash wrecking
crew, thirsting for revenge against Gresham
for removing from control Of the System"
Gould's right hand man, Gen. G. NJ.
Dodge, formerly of Iowa, who was on the
ground early and was deep in the secrets
Of every anti-Gresham caucus. Little
seen by the public, no man exercised a
more potent influence on the result than
Gould's most efficient and capable lieuten-
ant Gouldism as srrsyed against Ores
ham represented two hundred millions of
dollars of capital.
2. The Central Pacific Stanford Crocker-
Huntington ring, with its able, plausible
attorney, Greed Raymond, at the head Of
the California delegation. This firm has
in its possession one hundred and fifty
millions of railroad plumber which Presi-
dent of the Gresham stamp might COM
pei IL to disgorge. Naturally it fought
hard to prevent the nomination Of such q
man.
3. The Union Pacific Credit-M obilier
crowd, represented by Lawyer Thurston,
who is shrewd, brainy, and nervy, and
packed delegation grossly misrepresenting
the Granger State Of Nebraska. This ring
has $50 million dollars worth Of railroad
Credit Mobilier aud other Doodle to protect.
Il Is deeply in debt TO the Government,
draws diyidents on debts which il never
intends to pay during the lifetime Of any
human. being now in existence. 1t wants
Mr. David Litler's free and easy eight
year bill pissed, and it feared that
Gresham never would favor it, as
he is not that sort of man. Hence,
it fought him to the death, using the power
of the Granger State of Nebraska, nine
tenths of whose population indorse him,
TO defeat Gresham. Ii now laughs like
Mephistopheles over the success Of its
schemes.
4. Chsuncy NJ. Dspew, the railroad at
torney and official head of the great Van
derbilt railroad syndicate, with its 800
millions of capital and its doctrine Of the
public be id" With Depew as helpers
were Tom Platt aud Wood-Pulp Miller.
5. The great Wisconsin railroads were
rep resented by John @. Spooner, the we'll
trained railroad attorney, who manipulated
the Wisconsin delegation and put its
votes where they would do the most
good" And the popular sentiment OF the
State for Gresham was ignored and dis
regarded with the utmost sang froid.
These were the leading representatives
of corporate railroad monopoly, but with
two or three exceptions there was hardly 3
delegation without q sprinkling OF railroad
attorneys and lobbyists. The Immigrant
rings were also represented. They argued
that q President like Gresham would
cause them to lose millions of
acres of public land which they had
grabbed in violation of law. Like all the
Gouldites who swarmed from East and
West, they wanted no id nasty par
ticular honest" candidate, as they called
Gresham-no man born in log cabin and
afflicted with homespun, Granger notions
about honesty and integrity. What great
schemes of pelf and plumber might not
such man upset if intrusted with the
mighty powers of the Presidency? The
Wabash decision showed Gresham's spirit,
and it was time an example was made OF
him for the effect il would have on other
Judges and public men.