Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-09-04
Fails to Come to the Scratch Against Henry
s. Walker in the Debate
at Hinton.
HE TURNS TAIL, EVEI is GOLIATH
Fled Before David and His Little Sling---A
Weak Attempt to Hide Himself Be-
hind the ommittes---Rspubh-
cans Disguised and Demo-
crats Exultant
Special Teltoam 70 ne Reoiaer.

since the adjournment OF the republican
convention it has been announced that
General Golf would open the campaign at
this place on the first day of the Circuit
Court. The meeting was largely adver-
tised and elaborate preparations were made
to make it big affair. 1t 30 happened
that the Democratic State Executive
Committee had appointed a meeting
on the same day for Hon. H. s.
Walker and Gov. Wilson. It had the
effect to bring together large crowd. In
order that the issues might be fairly and
fully discussed the local Executive Com
mittee proposed to the managers Of the
Republican meeting Joint discussion.
This offer was declined and upon the ar
rival of Walker and Wilson the following
correspondence took place between Walker
and Golf:
HINTON, W. VA, Sept. 3, 1888.
To Hon. N. Gcg::
DEAR SIR:-In the course of speech
recently delivered by You at the city Of
Charleston, you INDUCED in some structures
directed to myself. I had not the honor
to be present, but presume the reports l
have heard are reasonably accurate. pro-
pose to reply to-day, and prefer to do 80
in your presence. 1t is the de-
sire of many people that the
question at issue be debated in joint meet
ing by representatives of the respective
parties. have therefore to suggest that a
joint debate be had between us and such
other speakers as it may be deemed expe-
dient to include in the arrangement on
such terms rs may be agreed upon by the
Democratic and Republican local commit
tees.
Respectfully,
Signed HENRY s. WALKER.
HINTON, September 3, 1888.
To Hon. II. S. Walker, Hinton:
My DEAR SIR:-I have your favor of
this date proposing in behalf Of many
persons joint discussion ofthe questions
at issue in the pending canvass. have
referred your communication to the Re-
publican Committee Of this place in charge
of the meeting to-day, and 1 will be
pleased to respect any arrangement made
by said committee and the Democratic
Committee relative to the matter you
allude to. Yours truly,
Signed. N. GOFF.
The Democratic committee then address,
ed the following note to the Republican
local organization:
HINTON, w. VA, September 3.
To Thomas q. Mann, Chairman Republican
Committee:
SIR:-We, the undersigned committee,
appointed by the Cleveland and Thurman
Club of Hinton, Summers county, West
Virginia, believing that II would be con-
ducive to the public interest and assist
our people in coming to
clearer understanding of the tariff
and other issues between the Democratic
and Republican parties, hereby propose
and challenge public discussion this day,
at Hinton, between Mr.. Nathan Goff, J.
II. McGinnis, and such others Of the Re
publican speakers az you may suggest,
and Henry s. Walker, Gov. Wilson and
Mr.. Anderson.
[Signedl w. W. ADAMS,
j. II. MILLER,
j. l.. FECK,
Committee.
Following is the reply to the above chal-
lenge. 1t is clear case of white feather:
HINTON, September 3.
Gentlemen Of the Democratic Committee:
i do not suppose we could agree to d.
vide time with you to-day for lack of time,
but at any future time we will be willing
TO meet you in joint discussion, that IL,
each of our candidates will meet his oppo-
nent, aud we will furnish speakers to meet
any body who are not candidates.
Respectfully,
[Signed. T. r. MANN,
w. X. THOMPSON.
There was clear backdown on the part
of General Goff, for he we'll knew when he
received the note that the locsl committee
had declined this discussion; this gave the
Democrats chance To crow, and damp
ened the ardor Of the Republicans to such
an extent that it was impossible for Goff
to rally them, although he spoke for more
than two hours. The crowd num-
bered about one thousand, fully
one-hslf Of the number being
Democrats. Walker and Wilson are now
speaking to an immense crowd at the
court house. It Is conceded on all sides
that Goff showed the white feather and
feared to meet Walker and his meeting
failed to make him any votes or help his
party.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT, says the Hon. Hen
ry s. Walker, challenged General Goff to
Joint discussion and the result was
complete back down for Goff. Every In
ducement was made by the democratic
Committee to secure an arrangement for
discussion. II il . significant fact that
General Goff7s letter was received
BY Mr.. Walker one hour after The receipt
of the latter from the Republican COM
mittee, and the General knew the same
hsd been sent, showing plainly that he
had no idea of entering into debate
and attempted to take refuge behind
the committee. This back down comes
with little grace from the gentleman who
proclaimed 20 loudly at the Convention st
Charleston recently, that he was
anxious and earnest In his
desire to meet any Democrat
in discussing the issues Of the day. The
General made Q dreary speech Of some two
hours to crowd of about seven hundred,
fully one-half of whom were Democrats
Tonight Gov. Wilson and Hon. h. g.
Walker will address the Democrats
Of this town. COTS complete flank 10
the Joke of the hour and . majority Of
the Republican committee are simply dis
gusted. Senators Kenna and Butler. Of
South Carolina, and Congressman McMil-
Ion, of Tennesee, speak here tomorrow,
Hinton, W. Va, September 3rd.