Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-03-05
cu.R1rsrns. ". F.b %. lssg

CHARLESTON. ". Va, Feb %. 1889
To tls Et,o- Of ne Rec.ste7:
John f Kenna will he regarded IS moi
only 8 tripmph for party organization, bat
triumph OF pure party methods.
First it vas q triumph for party orgsni-
za.io-. because lie ,sss the nominee o. SIS
party for S uator
NOton'y SO, but contrary TO party usuage,
twc-ttird rule was adopted in the caucus;
aud Il was understood II ne received tht
two-tbirds, be would be entitled to The
vote o. every Democrat in the Legislature.
This vote be received; and all except ore
-t-oa by The action Of the caucus. That
one was present IN caucus when the two
thirds rule by the concession Of Kenna S
friends wss adopted. Then the fight wss,
should f0rfy-frs rnle, or should one rule?
The izat went on until the one yielded,
and he f0rfy-fr carried ,heir poiot. II
the f0rv-frs had yielded to the enc, here
after no man could he sure Of an election,
although the people unanimously wanted
/ him, unless in case he could command
votes enough to elect him. iris would be
party decentralization, and not party organ
| zatiOn.
IA 10 he methods used By The candidate
/ tie used none Of tire modern appliances.
l. He had not b. the use OF money OF
otherwise set up the Legislature. As
far as known few II any Of the members
were elected on a pledgetO support kenna.
/ They came free TO vote ior any one, but
representing the sentiment Of their con-
shtuents, two-thirds Of them we're for
Kenns when the Legislature convened.
.. He had no lO5bV Those who came 10
| help him came OF their own voiuon and
at their own expense, because they honest
| Is desired the eiection Of Kenna on bis
own merits. he had made an able and
upright Senator, and he had msny friends
who, unsolicited by him, gave him ali the
moral support they could.
He did not bave the Federal office
holders in the State 10 come AT his call TO
/ help him. The few friends VINO did come,
came of their own accord, and nc their
o gn expense. He did mt keep bar
room ia the hotel He did not, either by
the use of whisky o. Otber thing, try d.
rectly or indi Getty, to influence 81 single
vote
He did not ask q single Republican to
vote for him, aad was elected, by Demo
cratic voters. Not a single Republican
voted for him. He is therefore under no
obligations to the Republicans for his else
tior, and il not in any senss a Mug
wump,n but q fair, square, upright Dem
ocrat' si.h q grand twelve yearold DEM
ocratic Congressional Record without
stain upon It,
This is the nan, aud this is the manner
ia which he wes elected; and the Demo-
Gratis of West Virginia aIe justly proud OF
bin.
Daring The trying ordeal, through which
ne passed, lasting for a month, the sturdy
nomiuee Of his party, demeansd HIM
self with the greatest dignity. Never
once losing his temper; Teviling
no one, fearing no one, implOriug
no one, but with quietness and manly
bearing that won nm many friends, he
Calmly awaited the result, as the sturdy
seaman awaits the result Of the storm. No
nnsn ever conducted himself with more
dignity ard propIiety in such q contest
nor more richly deceived the success that
came Sc last OREY JOHNSON.