The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1889-07-04
WEST VIRGINIA..
Its Present Condition Politically, and
Future Prospects.
The Gubernatoriai Contest-Placss Of In
terest, &o., &c., BY An Observer
q. From Felicity, Ohio.
FELICITY, o., June oath, 1889

history Of the political outlook, and
other incidents connected with my tour,
might prove of interest to your many
readers. I boarded the g. & o. vesti.
bule at Rock Springs, KY, the Goth Of
April, and arrived at Coal Valley, forty
miles east Of Charleston, the following
day. Coal Valley is mining town oi
considerable importance. She has some
of the finest coal mines in the country
and several coke furnaces. 1t is also
one OF the freight divisions of the G. &
O., thus making its railroad business
quite brisk. Only few months ago,
however, at the beginning Of the present
administration, their furnaces were all
| closed down and the mines at q stand
still, while hundreds OF miners were
idle and compelled to solicit aid to al.
leviate in measure the suffering pre-
vailing among their families for even
the necessaries OF life but to-day with
the tariff question settled, these same
miners have steady work, money in
their pockets, their families we'll clothed
aud well fed, and / venture to say that
no laborers on the face OF the globe live
beitr than the miners of the great
K.:nawha Valley. And men who two
years ago were Cleveland's most ar .ent
admirers are now shouting loudly for
Harrison, Morton and protection. They
sec the glad tidings of great joy which
protection to home industries has
brought them, and even among those
who ,oldiered in the Confederate Army
ar. quite number who will vote the
straight Republican ticket this fall. In
fact some ii this number experieLc ID a
change OF heart in time to vote for Har.
rison and Morton last fall. Taken all in
all the poiitical outlook is most favor.
able indeed, and it is absolutely safe to
say that West Virginia has at last been
wrenched from the hands OF Bourbon
Democracy and placedin the Republican
column for keeps. So mote it be. May
the good work go on until Kentucky
and other States may do likewise. The
Goff Fleming gubernatorial contest is
progressing rapidly and will soon be
completed. In the counties already
canvassed (where Fleming claimed his
greatest strength) Goff has made net
gain of 20 votes in addition to his 1857
majority on the first count, so that Goff's
majority will be larger than anticipated.
The time is in the near, future when
Windy" Wilson will have to step down
and out and our gallant Gen. Goff duly
seated in his stead. With a Republican
Governor and Legislature, which is sure
to follow, West Virginia will have an
administration that will bring her, pros.
perity unparalleled in her history. The
are better organized than
ever before, and are working in peri, ct
harmony, while the Democracy ae
sparring among themselves, and split
in the party is almost inevitable, and a
house divided against itself must fall.
The next election will surely send a full
delegation to Congress from
West Virginia. .Ia
The inconsistency Of our Southern |
brethern is remarkable in accusing Us of |
continually waving the bloody shirt,
when on the Sth day Of the present |
month in the city Of Charleston at Con.
ederate memorial services, \ member |
n the procession was clad in rebel gray.
This Is a fact that cannot be gain sayed
'r denied, and some two or three Hitter.
'te were heard to say, I'VE were right in
'ur canse and ! would do likewise again
we're the opportunity presented to do so."
Now the question arises, who is keeping
he strife stirred up and who is keeping
his sectional feeling alive?
had the pleasure OF visiting Kama.
vha Falls during my stay, and viewed
he spot where three noble young ladies
net tragic death while out boat riding,
heir boat being drawn into the whirl-
ng rapids. The falls have gained a
rational reputation as one of the finest
ummer resorts in the country. About
he middle of May invalids begin to
'our in from all parts OF the country,
nd remain until the lst of September.
about three hundred yards above the
lotel is the spot where a division OF the
Union army camped for some time.
'ome two miles above the falls is Gau.
ey station. 1t was at this station that
he famous bridge spanned the Gauley
iyer, famous because one among the
cry bloodiest contests Of the war took
lace there. The bridge was burned by
he Confederate army, and has never
zen iebuilt, but the great pier still
lands there as a monument to mark
ne spot where SO many brave and
oble men shed their blood for the
ountry they loved 80 well. But as this
fticle is already too lengthy will close
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