Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-09-15
TURN OUT TO THE DEMOCRATIC
picnic

PICNIC.
Through the discourtesy of Chairman
CowDEN, of the Republican COMMITTEES,
We learn, sooner perhaps than we otherwise
shOald, that Gen. GoFF has finally been
shamed into accepting the challenge Of
Hon. WILLIAM L. WILSON for a joint de-
bate on the issues of the campaign.
BY the diseOHrtesy of Chairman COwDEN,
We mean his unparalleled act Of giving to
the IntsligsReer for publication, his reply
to Chairman RILEY, of the Democratic
Committee, before he had mailed il to that
gentleman. The IntsLiigsResr received it
at least ten hOors before Chairman
RILEY-in fact, as Mr.. RILEY told REG
rSrsE reporter, he first read the letter in
the IateiIigsHcer' II this correspondence is
to bs conducted through the
press probably there should be
some understanding on the point
'Siucs there has not been any such under
standing and since ths Republican COM
mittee has act aside all, rules governing
honorable dealings between gentlemen
sad forfeited every claim 20 consideration,
We rhiok Chairman RILEY, who has
throughout acted the part Of IN honorable
gentleman, would be Justified in refusing
TO nDi's any further communication from
thtf qasrter, eSosp; through the press.
Tbs irlntic efforts of the Republican
lead r. in this State to make what they
sDps'- - ilsaaely regard as political cap
ital, a. s7sl y sacrifice Of the respect of
decsls msu in their own party, show
pretty CO l;.uTvsly what desperate straits
the R publican campaign is in
HIVE ssr, G,FF has foslly been shsmed
into "A ac,sosancs OF WILLIAM L. Will
sOS'S challsngs to debate with him before
the psopls the issues OF the campaign.
Frankly, We did not think Gen. GoFF
Wa4 ~ bad = politician aS 10 allow his
fool friends TO secspt the challenge, since
he had already twice shown the white
fea,de. sa1 third bsckdowa would
haydly nave more fully confirmed the
general belief in the lack of argument on
the Republican side. But the Republican
committee we're biting nsils in their cha
grin a. the ridiculous plight in which Hon
HENRY 5. WALKER had placed their can
didats at Hinton and again at Huntington
They were being "guyed" numerically,
aud evidently in blind rage accepted the
Hon. BILLY Wilson's challeugs, probably
without consulting GoFF. But the chal-
lsnge has been accepted aud, unless they
fui on further consideration some excuse
for backing down, we shall have those
joiut debates. Democrats and the people
generally should make q note of this and
watch oat for the dates. We can picture
tais affair in advance: GOFF the keen pol
iticiau, WILSON the peerless statesman;
Corr the graudilOquent, clsptrap stumper,
WILSON the brilliant orator and mstchless
debater. There you have them side ny side.
twill be = debate worth hearing, They are
b9th men of nationsl reputation and
splendid representatives of their respective
parties. Such debate can hardly help
take the listener to the bottom of the Vita
issass of the campaign, for WILLIAM L.
WILSON goes to the bottom Of everything
he undertakes aud will forcs General GOFF
70 20 with him. much as the little General
mag struggle to skim along tbs surface.
Dsn0crats can ask no more than these
meetiGgs. For, with the issue placed
squarely before the people, uncbstructed
By clsp.trsp aud sophistry, the rssult can
not be doubtful. There may be an effort
on tae part Of General GoFF to back ont Of
the engagement made By his fool commit
tea bat il will only place him on the other
horn Ul the dilemma, which would insure
his and his parsy's defeat with equal GER
tainty.
Let us have the WILsoN-GoFF debates
-o--