The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-12-25
YHE PLOT THICKHNS,
Why Democrats Consented to
the Arrangement Of N
THECONGREssIONAL CONTESTS
For West Virginia-some Heretofore
Unwrltten History in ConneC-
tion with tho st, ClaIr.Walk,4
or.wilson Conspiracy,
sp..lal DalaleA 10 ne Inlelltgmea,

Sps,ial Di.pdirh 10 ne IattliOtHea,
WAsnNuTON, d, o., Dec, 24,-Some
time ago reference was made in these
dispatches to the fact that the disposal Of
the contested election cases might have
considerable effect upon the calling Of
the West Virginia Legislature, A "leak
in the ranks" has disclosed that this is
strictly true. 1t has also disclosed some
other things connected with the legisla.
tive and executive muddle. The scheme
Of Walker & Co., as previously stated,
WAS simply to delay calling the Legisla-
ture till something definite was known
rs to what action Congress proposed TO
take in the contest cases. II Congress
gave evidence Of a determination To do
prompt justice the expected martyrdom
Of three West Virginia Representatives
would be held up before the eyes Of Cer-
tain reCalCtrant Legislators, and sweet
revenge would be offered as an induce
ment 10 stand firm and vote 10 sustain
the majority report OF the special com.
mitteO. And was this 10 be done solely
for sweet patriotism and Fleming's ben.
eGt2 The 'iron.clad" having failed TO
receive the necessary number OF sigma
lures, who was pulling this last string
attached to u fading hope, and for what
purpose2 As the time drew near for
arranging the order In which the contest
cases we're to be heard by the House
Committee, Col. st, Clair put In an APP
poarance here. He had some work left
10 do on Alderson's brief, but that mat
Ter took up only u small portion of his
time. He had d conference with sena-
tors Kenna and Faulkner, and the three
afterwards had a conference with the
Democratic members OF the Elections
Committee.
A DESPERATE CASE,
To them it was stated in plain terms
that something had TO be done for the
brethren out In West Virginia. Things
were in bad shape there. All sorts and
conditions OF men were Clamoring for
the calling OF the special session, long
since overdue. Did the honorable mem
hers Of the committee think there were
good grounds for believing that
certain gentlemen now representing
West Virginias interests in the House
were going to lose that rightp A major
ity the honorable members were de.
ciledly Of that opinion. Then Colonel
st. Clair proceeded to unfold the "Folne-
thing" proposed. II was In substance
as follows: Ifthc services Of these atore-
said gentlemen had TO be lost To the
State, the sacrifice might as well come
soon as late, II by that means portion
Of the spoiIs In tho State itself could be
preserved for those who sorely needed
them. The gallant Colonel was author
lied to say that, in the estimation Of cer-
tain influential parties at home, this
sacrifice was the only hope left Of retain
ing control OF the State Government.
TO be brief, he desired that no obstacle
would be put in the way Of an early
consideration OF the West Virginia con-
test cases; the earlier the better; and as
soon as assurances could be given him
that such would be the case, he was pre-
pared to announce speedy call oil the
Legislature.
THE SCHEME WORKS BEAUTIFULLY,
After consideration the assurances
were given. The intelligence was at
once passed on 10 Charleston. A call
for tho Legislature was issued for the
third week OF January; and this call had
included in II enough OF minor matters
to furnish material for any reasonable
amount OF delay in affairs at Washing
ton. Finis, when the drawings for the
order in which the contest cases would
be heard, as is customary, the Republic
Cans being in majority had the first
selection. They chose the fourth West
Virginia case. The Democrats had the
second choice. They picked the first
West Virginia. The Republicans again
chose the remaining West Virginia cases /
and not a murmur Of opposition came
from their opponents.
And was all this done simply with the
patriotic idea Of seeing Judge Fleming
seatedP Did Col. st. Clair only repre-.
sent the patriotism Of West Virginia
Democracy in this pilgrimage Of his?
And will anybody say that the tenure
Of office act, SO far as the SeCretaryship
Of State is concerned, has not been
signed and sealed2 Could 1t be clearer
that the 81. Clair. .Wilson.Walker crowd
are willing TO hasten the deCapitatlon Of
the three Congressman, or that they are
even willing TO offer them as q sacrifice,
in order to save FlemingP Not that
they have any special love for Fleming,
but TO continue Walker as Secretary ol
State.