Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-02-03
PRACTICAL POLITICS.
s.whar's de Pencil; OF Who Scratched the
Tlckets'-A Farce.

'.WhAr's de Pencil; OF Who Scratched the
Tlckets"-A Farce.
Special TO he Sunday Register.
NEW MARTINsvILLE, W. VA, February
2.-Did it ever occur to the average reader
of the REGISTER that circumstautisl mar
ration Of the facts connected with the re-
cent Presidential, State and Congressional
election in West Virginia would be one Of
the most readible and interesting volumes
issued from the press for a decade or two,
and would necessarily chronicle some very
amusing things, as well as touch upon Sc
riou5 matters. Wetzel county could furn-
ish leading chapter in such a work, as
may probably be surmised from the post
election difficulties which centered in this
immediate locality, and with view to af-
fordiug data to the future historian, allow
me to place upon record the outlines of
very moving tale. The parties occupying
roles in this screaming farce are all well
known to the citizens of this portion of the
State, while not few of them have rep
utation not bounded by neighborhOod or
county lines. But to my narrative;
twill be remembered that about the
first of last De ember, there was good
deal of anxiety among the Republican
leaders o. the State at large, and especially
among these residing in New Martinsville
and Wetzsl county, to establish the GER
tainty of suspicion they entertained that
certain ballots, cast in this county, had
been scratched az TO the name of the Con-
gressional candidate, after the said ballots
had been duly COUNTED and sealed
up by the election officers. The
direct charge had been freely made
in the Republican prints that such
unlsH ful manifulatioa Of the ballots had
actually taken place and the Republicans
were disposed to 20 to any extreme to
bring about the confirmation Of their ride
ulous assertions. The story which IS GO
ipg the rounds is about SIS 'O.lows:
one day during the eorly part Of the
month, and while tie Republicans were
most ac.ive to secure evidan substantial
ing their allegations regarding the ballots,
James McEntire, well-knoWn as q Repub-
Lcan hustler in and for the county of Wet
eel. became Convinced in some way or
other that George Grail, an active Demo
crat. knew q great deal about the matter
then living near the Republican heart, and
he accordingly determined to work .
Mr.. Grail for all there was in
him. meeting Mr.. Grail upon the sIeet
McEotire told him ne vas sus.
pected Of being implicated in the un-
lawful scratching Of ballots. and as he
(McEatife) bad warm personal friendship
for Grail. he would advise him to turn
Stste's evidence and make the whole story
pubi,. As 4 further inducement to
Grail, McEntire stated that be was author
lied to offsr him S. 600 in cash, govern
ment POSITION, and guarantee him immu-
nity from prosecution in return fer the
facts. Nc. Grail was a little bewildered
By this, hut did not give McEntire any
verv definite answer, as be wanted to con-
sult with some OF his friends, and Mr..
NcEntire promised to see him later about
It.
Mr.. Grail then went to Deputy County
Clerk Snodgrsss, whom the Republicans
had alleged was in ''cahOOts'' with the bal
lot sc1atcheTs, and related the circumstsn-
ces Of the conversation between McEntire
snd himself. Saodgrsss knows a good
thing when he sses it, and he advised his
friend Grail to play iue game on McEn-
tire. and secure the cssh spoken of by
McEntire, if possible. 1t was then sgTeed
between the two that Grail should
avail himself of sn early opportunity to go
10 McEntire and say be was ready to tell
all he knew about the ballot scratching,
provided he would pay him the money and
secure him immunity from prosecution n
case what he siid should II any manner
implicate himself. This WAS the Pounds
ton for the subsequent very fanny pro-
cssdiDgs
Accordingly, Grail went to MeEntire
and told him he had concluded to accept
of his proposition, 10 be carried out al a
time in the near future, snd then went