Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-01-25
GOFF'S "ARGUMENT.'
The General Delivers Ono Of His Ohsrse-
teristlc stump Speeches
.,-..-.-r 7--f...---, q, a. Pe-fafev

The General Delivers Ono Of His Ohsrsc-
terisiIo stump Speeches
sps-.si Tslsgrana % ~ Register.
CHARLESTON, ". VA, January "a
A large audience crowded the door aud
galleries Of the House to-day in order to
hear Gen. Nathan GofT argue his own case
before the joint assembly. The Senators
slept late on Mr. Hubbsrd's elcqueuce and
were not as prompt as usual in their AZ
rival in the hall. It was 1915 when Gen.
Goff aseended to the Clerks desk and be-
gan his remarks. They we're substantial
ly as follows
GOFF's SPEECH.
If the Court please. with my sineeTest
thanks for beiDg allowed to speak to your
face on my csse, invite your attention TO
its copsi eratiou. 1t is case Of vast i'm
portance. Il is one in which my person
ality and that Of my distinguished oppo-
nent disappear. This is the coatest OF the
people OF West Virginia. This is not my
personal controversy. l may disappear
rom the face OF the earth snd sleep with
nv fathers. but this cause gees On. l die
but Judge Fleming comes not in. Cen
tlemen, psrdon me If in making these al
lusions / take occasion 10 show justihca-
tion in my cause ard false criticism 10 my
opponent
A year ago after you gentlemen hsd
met in this Capitol TO take action on this
cont, st the distinguished gentleman who
- -. II. Of ~ this
State maintained
HIS OWN CASE
before the Supreme Court, aud those who
criticize me commended him. A short
tims before that a distinguished citizen OF
this State, bearing credentials from this
Legislature, appeared in the capital Of the
nation. sud maintained his right 10 place
ia the Se-ate o. the United States. This
then is not my controversy.
I a9pear for the 70 coo voters OF West
Vireinis. who in November, 1883, elected
me G 5vernOr Of West Virginia.
I appear before this Court 10 obey their
demands and to sustain their claims.
Gentlemen, You occupy a wonderful posi-
tior to day. Never before in West Viz
ginia hiss such a court assembled. For
the frsl time in the history OF the State
coustitu lionsl provision in relation to the
election Of C G1vernor, is now called in ex-
ercise. Other courts nav 20 wrong, aud
their gment is Iemedied. Other courts
are appealed fIom, bat from you, gentle
men, there is no sppeal. The Constitution
has reposed in you that awful re-
sponsibility OF 6nsl action. II
You err, you commit wrong
upon yourselves. your people and the con
stitution Of the S,stc. YCu are sitting here
not a. legislators. The question before
you Is rot who YOU want 10 be Governor;
the question before you is whom did the
people Of West Virgins sleet II November,
/ 1855 II they elected MY distinguished
opponent, it is your duty to say so, aod
We will submit The campaign Of leso
was
A WONDERFUL ONE.
/ Two great political parties contended for
suprsmscy /, with many Of my fellow
citizens, jOurneysd through this State. l
went 10 YOU and you came to me. We
met in friendly a1d manly way. may
have been bold in my declarations, but
was honest and l admired nv opponents,
Who met ms with equal honesty.
E,ch party strove anxiously for victory
and each anxiously and feaIiully looked
for a couut Of IN ballots. This is history
N Uss not then the grest surprise when
thew would have you believe when a count