Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-06-23
AN APPOINTMENT
To hs Office Of Commissioner Of Labor
Statistics
MADE BY GOVERNOR WILSON.
Hon. Edward Robertson the Gentleman Who
Carries Of the Prize.
How IT ALL CAME ABOUT.

The announcement was made yesterday,
upon undoubted authority, that Governor
Wilson had appointed Edward Robertson
to fl the newly created position of Com
missioner of Labor Statistics, provided for,
at the particular instance OF the Labor
element Of the State, by the Legislature,
at it's last session.
The announcement was good deal OF a
surprise in certain quarters. Mr.. Richard
Robertson, editor of the Nelcs- Letter, had
the unanimous and hearty endorsement OF
the organizations embraced n the Ohio
Valley Trades and Labor Assembly, that
body having preferred him over several
other aspirants for the place.
Several months ago the Trades and Labor
Assembly communicated to Governor Will
son It's preferences in the matter, represent
ing at tie same time, that inasmuch as the
Assembly had originated the idea Ofsuch a
Commissioner, and had pushed the project
eneTgetically, it ought to be entitled TO the
cfice. A considerable time elapsed with
ont His Excellency making any move in
the direction of an appointment, and mat
ters Icy in that shape until the visit of the
Governor TO this city, some three weeks ago.
Dir. Richard Robertson and some of his
friends then called upon Governor Wilson in
regard to the appointment, but the Govern
OF was uOn-cOmmittal, and nothing was ac-
c0mplishsd A day or two after this visit,
the Trades Assembly met and passed a
resolution, requesting the Governor 10
make $40 appointment, and also Instructed
the delegates from the several OrgaDlza-
lions 10 see that their secretaries wrote on
to Charleston, to the same effect Mr..
hO6ertsCn's friends felt somewhat encOuT-
aged after this, especially, as IN addition,
ne mad secured letters from a number Of
Wheeling citizens. About this time Mr..
W. W. Wood, leading Democratic work
man, who had also been a candidate for
the n0minaiiOn before the Trades Assem-
bly,, in addition to Messrs. Robertson,
Stoeizer and Wasseman, felt that there was
fighting chance for himself, and his
friends brought considerable pressure to
hear IN his behalf
Matters rested in this way until a few
days ago when Mr.. Edward Robertson,
Superintendent Of tie PenitentiaTy, re-
ceived a telegram from Governor Wilson,
u requesting MIN to come o Charleston Al
once Mr. Robertson went dOwb, and WIS
met by Governor Wilson with a prOff,r of
disappointment for himself. Mr.. Robert
sln naturally did not want to step III the
way of LIS brother, end declined the pO-
siuon. stating his reasons at the ssUe time.
The Governor replied &c Mr r b,TlsOl that
70 was certain that Mr.. Richard Robertson
wou,o lot be rendered the appointment he
desired The impression seems to prevail
here in Wheeling that the actuatiDg cause
with the Governor, in inducing him to
make thls decision, was that Mr. Robert
son had conducted d Republican paper
during the last camp ign, and possibly
also, because his brother already occupied
"a place aud the State government. When
Sir Is lbertsOn declined the position tDus
tsude ed, Governor Wilson again urged
hin 10 take the place, coupling the ten
der si,h the emphatic assurance that
he Wss standing IN no ones way by &C
coping a. MT Edward Robertson was
sun reluctant, when Governor Wilson
-sid: "Wsl, 70 bring matters 10 a focus,
pI oppc ut you, and you can do rs you
please Mr. Robertson then accepted the
position, and will enter upon the duties
# the offics 80 once. The position pays
81 2O0 per annum, and like amount for
expenses, a 5000 part OF which l. 10 be
devoted to clerical work. 1t will neces-
ssiily he some time before the Office re-
sulls n anytbiog OF value, as there Is
Jorge amount Of prsl minaTy WORK 10 be
Done before actual results are possible
No Rob rtsOn will al once resign hi
eO.ition aJ rhe geni,entiary, and will be
sue, e-d=d temporarily by Mr.. Prichard,
of Eannlneton, who possesses many quail
ifcstons for the place which Mr. Robert
son has 40 sbly filed
rbs following telegram from Charleston,
on the subject, ID OF interest: