Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-11-08
THAT UPHEAVAL.
HOW THE BATTLE WAS FOUGHT AND WON
IN KANAWHA.
An Interview with "Bill Dave" GOshorn,
Charleston, Which is Full Of GoCd Things
Of Political Nature.

ocratic ticket, by the striking and pic
turesquc majority Of 5l2, arrived in the
city yesterday morning, to spend a day
or two recuperating from the effects
of his efforts in the tremendous
and victorious battle waged by the
Kanawha county Democrats against
the Republicans, in which fight
Mr.. Goshorn took conspicuous
part, and to whom is due large share
of credit for the result. Mr.. GoShorn
was seen yesterday afternoon, and in
response to a question as to what was
the matter with Kanawha, he observed,
with a smile, that it was all right, and
he thought it would remain in that sat
lSlactory condition.
What was the matter with the ka'
nawha Republicans, anyhow
"Well, there was good deal the mat
ter with them, and in addition they had
as plucliy Il lot of Democrats to fight as
ever went into contest with big odds
against them. In the first place, We
had most efficient management. w. C.
Chiffon, Chairman of the Democratic
Congressional Executive Committee, and
CAPTAIN Samuel MatheSon, Chairman
of the County Executive Committee
went into the campaign in a way which
meant business from the very start, and
they handled things in manner which
is evcrlastingly to their credit. There
was harmony throughout the county,
and when our county primary election
was over, and the ticket was in tho
field. there was not hitch or jar any
where.
''But things were in an awful mess on
the other side. The Republican situa'
ton was as bad as the Democratic con
dition was good. There was trouble
everywhere The Republican County
Convention was run by the Government
oflice-holderS, and the result was tick
ct. forced through, which was extremely
distasteful TO the rank and file OF the
party, and particularly to the old line
Republicans Thon tho appointment.
which were made in our section created
no end of trouble for the Republicans.
When SturgisS appointed Sam Burdett
Assistant District Attorney, there was a
good deal of disgust, because, as you
PROBABLY know, Burdett is a defaulter,
having gotten away with about $1,000
of school money belonging to the coun-
ty and State. This thing was worked
during the campaign, and did the Re
publicans lots of damage. Then the
lappointment of C. II. Payne, cOlored
man. to be stamp deputy. by
Collector White. created con-
siderable discomfort among the
white Republicans, as did the appoint
ment of Steel Hawkins and Stepto Tens
ley to custom house places. Tensile!
is negro. and there was feeling
among good many of the old soldiers
that they had had no show, and they
were sore. All these things helped II:
to win great victory.
'.IIow about the Grecnback element
: in the Republican camp. Did Tho
Greenbackers break away?"
Every largely. That combine never
had any substantial foundation, and there
was bound to be split sooner or later
The Republicans only held the Green
back element in 1883 by importing lo'
of speakers of that persuasion, who
were subsidized to see Golf and llarri
son through, by taking to Kanawha
county GreenbackerS, whose tendencies
were the other way. But this year thu
Greenbackers got their eyes open, anC
as a general thing they voted the Demo
cratic ticket. This took a big slice of
the fictitious Republican strength ans
made victory for them impossible"
"Will these recalcitrantS remain Will
the Democracy?'
Il think so. | think they are done
with the Republicans for good.
'What effect did the Republican col
onization scheme have?"
at Disguised a great many Stalwar'
, Rcpubicans-men who have voted th'
ticket for years. The evil effects OF
such a scheme were so apparent that II
/ is strange it had any friends at all. The
: Lodge Election bill also had a hand II
the Republican defeat, and many Re
publicans are greatly dissatisfied will
recent pension legislation.
} what figure did the Tariff bill cut?'
1T was leading factor in securing
Democratic success along the entir'
Kanawha valley. The lumber inter
ests were particularly hostile to the
Republican cause because OF that Dill
Why. to give you an example, in ont
lumber camp were, in lsss, only loul
men out of l2O voted the Democratic
ticket: this year there were but twt
Republican votes. These were men II
the employ OF the Greenbricr Lum0el
Company. corporation which had 40,
600. 600 feet of timber cut when the
Mckinley bill went into effect, and thu
measure cost them just about $4,000
1t was that way all along the valley.
"And Golf was unable to stem thi
tide?"
. "Goff was not in it, this year. TIT
little General did not meet with a
warm reception in Charleston as upol
previous occasions. You see, in ISIS
he promised about one man in ever.
five he met an Office, and as You re
member. he failed to get into position
where he could deliver the goods. Whel
, he came down there this time, he mad'
personal appeal to the Republicans o
) Charleston and Kanawha county t.
stand by him in the election, as they ha'
elected him Governor two years ago
and when he left he said he would
watch with interest for the returns iron
Kanawha, and look for his vindication
Well. | wired him the result myself, TO
fear he wouldn't get he news"
what about the influence of FL
, kins?"
at was the same way. Mr.. Elkin
came down to see us, made speech
and left some Doodle, but the working
men of the Kanawha valley had bee
irving to figure ont what possible in
terest Golf and Elkins, both millionaires
could have in the welfare of West Nir
ginia wage earners, and they couldn'
do it satisfactorily. 1t was common
conclusion, down our way, that II Col
/ would take his money into the kanawh
valley and build railroad or ope
) mines. he would be showing his fait
Inv his works, and they argued tina
: until he sold some of his government
bonds and stocks, and did something
for the workingmen, his protection L