Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-08-07
OUT OF THE FIGHT.
OUR ACTING CONGRESSMAN CONFIRMS THE
REGISTERS" PREDICTION
And Formally Announces That He is Afraid to
Make the Race-How Some Republicans
Talked About the Matter.

Last Monday morning the REGISTER an
nounced that Mr.. Atkinson, at present oc-
cupying seat in Congress which does not
rightfully belong to him, had about come to
the conclusion that discretion would be the
better part of valor. and that he might soon
be expected TO announce to an eXpectant
world that he must decline the renomina-
ton at the hands of the coming Republican
Convention. 1t was pointed out, in this
connection, that reports which had reached
Mr. a, in response TO letters which he had
scattered about the district, were so uni
formly bad and were 50 unanimous IN
dwelling on the dissatisfaction existing in
almost every county, that there was moth
ing else for the acting Congressman TO do,
reluctant though he was 10 act; and so,
when il was formally announced yesterday
that he declined to again try conclusions
with a Democratic competitor, there was
little surprise in any quarter, but good
deal Of comment upon the peculiar wording
Of his plea 10 be let alone, as well as upon
the accompany comments of the Intelligent
Ger. All over the city Republicans were
laughing at these twin statements, and
some very caustic comments were made.
One Republican of considerable promi-
hence said
Il am much amused by this whole bust
ness: but especially by some of the printed
comments upon Brother Atkinson declina-
ton, or rather confession of weakness. For
instance. there is the statement about his
determination 10 pull out of the swim into
which he was whirled by circumstances
'Whirled by circumstances is good. Posi-
bly, YOU recollect how hard Mr.. Atkinson
worked for the nomination two years ago,
and how, when he found he was in the mi
nOrity in the Convention, he and his friends
deliberately bunkOed Dovener out Of
enough delegates to give Atkinson n major
ity Some pretty slick work was done
among the delegates just before the noml-
nation was made. and few people haven't
forgotten about it, either. Why. my
gracious. everybody knows how IL is. Then
he saws he does not desire to be candidate.
Pooh! pooh That's all stuff. Why he
has been doing very little else, for six or
eight months, but trying TO figure out some
way to see his way clear TO being elected,
and he don't want il because he has been
reluctantly compelled 10 admit that he has
no chance. He would have lost five hun
bred votes in the district, and everybody
knows itn
Another Republican said
The fact is, it took a good deal of plain
talk TO convince Mr.. Atkinson that his day
of political usefulness is over. He has in
sisted all along that he was entitled TO
denomination, and that he could pull
through oven in the face of the most UNI
doubted evidence to the contrary, and if
some of the leaders hadn't told him that
they could not afford TO walk right into the
laws of certain defeat to accommodate
him. he would have stuck to his pet theory
that he is popular and could win. Last
week he promised that he would draw off,
and his declination is in keeping with that
promise. The REGISTER, somehow, got
the inside of the matter pretty well, Last
Monday, and what it pointed out has come
to pass
is Mr.. Hubbard making any effort per-
sonally!n
mo. don't think he is. He feels just
about this way Believing himself one of
the ablest men in the State, and the peer
of Cor or anyone else in this district, he
thinks he is entitled 10 the nomination, and
ought 10 get il without entering into any
thing like competition with any one. He
has said this, personally
''Will DOVencr enter the race
mo. think not Not this year. Neither,
/ believe, will Mr.. Campbell. l believe
both will stand 10 one side, and let things
drift along in a natural sort OF way
There Is no one out in the district who
will make iight.'
''No, | think not. Golf won't touch II,
Of course, and / think Ohio county Will
take the nomination without trouble
Yesterday petition was put in circula-
ton among Republican business men, Of
flee holders and politicians, addressed TO
Mr.. Hubbard under the guise of being
spontaneous demand for his candidacy,
asking him to allow his name to 90 before
the Convention as a candidate for the nom
nation. Quite a number of signatures
were attached 10 the paper, and it will be
published this morning, or in day or two
at farthest. in the htclligncer, with re-
ply from Mr. Hubbard, accepting the honor
conferred. etc. and promising TO allow the
use of his name. This is a very slick
dodge. and the fact was not intended to be
made public until il could be properly
sprung on the community, but here IL IS.
There is one thing Republicans very
freely admit, and that IS that with any
nominee, no matter who, they stand no
show i'm the district, handicapped as they
will be by the outrageous record Of Reed,
the Mckinley Chinese wall monstrosity,
and the force bill threat. They recognize
that no explanations, however ingenious.
will 70 down with the voters this fall, and
that no matter who they may determine to
run. he will come out behind when the
votes are counted.