The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-06-02

Representative Wilson'S "WondcrfuI ropu.
~ lnrlty."
A great deal Is being said by Demo.
cratic newspapers in this and other
States about tho popularity Of the tariff
policy OF Congressman William L. VIII
son, OF tho Second district, and the organ
OF the democracy In this city has consti.
tutei Itself Mr.. Wilson's special cham.
pion In the matter.
Tho political history Of the Second
district for the past few years slowsjust
how popular "the distinguished orator
and statesman" Is among his constitu.
uents and how warmly" his Free Trade
course in Congress has been endorsed.
The plain truth about Mr.. Wilson Is that
since he has been in Congress he has
succeeded in wiping out u Democratic
majority Of more than thirty-Gve hun.
dred. ri.
When he started in the Second district
was good for Democratic majority OF
from three 10 four thousand; at tho last
election it was only Of, aud only once in
Mr.. Wilson's career in Congress has the
majority Appropriated half what it was
before he became zone OF the great tariff
reform leaders," Let us examine the
figures, beginning as far back rs 1874,
when the Democracy OF West Virginia
was in the helghth Of its glory:
In 1874 the district, as above ,intimat-
ed, was between three and four thousand
Democratic, the late Charles J. Faulk.
ucr, sr., carrying 1t that year by major
ity OF 3,43G. Two years later i. F. Mar.
tin (Democra) WINS elected by major.
ity Of 1878. In 1878 Mr.. Martin was
reelected over Col. Frank Burr. the
Republican candidate, aud Mr.. Thomp.
son (Greeubacker) by majority OF
3,G0S. In 1850 Judge Hoge, at present
District Attorney for the District OF
Columbia, was elected on the Demo.
cratic ticket by plurality OF 2,GSl. Up
to this time the Democratic majority
was not only large and substantial but
was reasonably safe and sure. But
about this time the career OF the "popu-
lar Second district Congressman" began,
and here it is: ..r..a.
In 1852 there was split in the Demo-
cratic ranks and Mr.. Wilson, whose
record, according to Democratic papers,
is endorsed by his constituents" was
selected as compromise candidate.
The feeling was very bad between the
factions, and Mr.. Wilson's maj 1uity over
Hon. John W. Mason was only ten votes
on the face Of the returns, but Mr..
Mason and Mr.. Kitchen (Greenbacker)
together had GAG more votes than Mr..
Wilson, so that the latter really lacked
GAG more votes OF carrying the district.
| Mr.. Wilson was renominated in 1854.
1t was Presidential year, and the re-
suit. Of the October election discouraged
the Republicans so that they made prac-
tically no fight for Congressman and
electors. Notwithstanding this, Mr..
Wilson's majority over Hon. F. NJ. Rey-
nolds was only 500, less than half OF the
largest majority polled by any OF his pre-
decessors. In 1856 the Republicans made
an aggressive fight on tariff lines, with
Hon. W. Fl. II. Flick as their candidate.
This time Mr.. Wilson got but 90 plurali-
ty over Judge Flick, but Flick and Siler
(Prohibitionist) together got Of more
votes than Wilson, and the latter again
failed to obtain majority of the votes
OF his district. By this time matters
were growing close enough to become
interesting, and, despite Mr.. Wilson's
great popularity" the Republicans
had hopes. In 1883 Mr.. Wilson's plu-
rality over Judge Flick was 37S, and his
majority over all was but 90, and in
presidential year, too, when full vote
was out and party lines were drawn.
So itseems'that West Vireinia's great
Free Trade leader mas not been SO cor
daily endorsed as Democratic papers
would have us believe. The figures
given above are anything but an argu-
ment in favor OF the idea that Mr.. vii.
sons course in Congress has had the ap-
proval Of the people OF his district.
In commenting upon these facts and
Mr.. Wilson's late interview regarding
the probability that Mr.. Elkins would
run against him next fall, the Fairmont
West Virginian recently said:
The man who has succeeded In eight yenrs in
reducing the Democratic minority In his dis
t1ict from 1900 10 nothing should not be con.
stuered very formidable antagonist for any.
Soa! 10 defeat. IL Is fair 70 Mr.. Wilson to say,
not on account Of my personal objections, but
because he IL not politically in sympathy with
me people OF HIS district. 4 very large majority
VI hepeOp'c OF me second Congressional dis
, ,r;S , IRE pto.ec,onlss. Without projection
~ Is because Mr. wilson Is NJ heart Tree trader,
ma n has voted for every free trade project thai
nus been brought before Congress slnce he has
G ", member Of the House. That he has twice
ioss nis u's!tict anu has been elected each time
~ very slim margin. Mr.. Wilson In, alwnys
ml,isrepreiented his district In that which atiects
us greatest material interest, and We do moi No
lieve he Will be permitted to do II again, no
matter VINO may be candidate against him.