Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-19
ELKINs ON PArrIsoN.
The Republican Leader Thinks the Cover
nor q Promising Candidate.
DBsTo1sJ.Bt9 Dreas

In the opinion of Stephen B. Elkins,
Governor Pattison is most formidable
rival to both Cleveland and Hill for the
next Democratic nomination Tor the
Presidency. Mr.. Elkins talked with
much animation on this subject with
correspondent of the Press at Bedford
Springs the other day, before he had
met the Governor, and later gave his
consent to the use OF such parts OF the
conversation as related TO Mr.. Pattison.
Mr.. Elkins was staying at the same
hotel with the Governor. The Press
man called upon him to request an in
terview upon Mr.. Blaine's political
prospects, in view of Mr.. Elkins' long
intimate friendship with the Secretary
OF State. Mr.. Elkins explained his un-
willingness to talk on the subject, one
of his reasons being that on his depart
ure from Bedford he expected to have
an interview with the President. "Any-
thing l might say concerning Mr..
Blaine or President Harrison, especially
in strong Republican paper like The
Press" he added, would make talk that
would be perverted by some Democratic
journals to mean anything they wished
it to mean.
"But / would like to ask you about
your Governor, whom / have seen since
l have been here at Bedford, and for
whom 1 have a great admiration. I
want TO meet him.
MAN MUCH TALKED ABOUT.
81 have heard no man more mentioned
by prominent Democrats recently In
connection with the nomination for the
Presidency in 1892 than your hand
some young Governor Of Pennsylvania.
"If l were a Democrat" continued
Mr.. Elkins, weighing his words and
speaking with much emphasis, 81 would
rather have Governor Pattison's chances
for the nomination than those OF any
other man in the United States.
81 have talked with many prominent
Democrats within the past few weeks.
| like TO talk politics, and to watch the
drift Of sentiment in both parties. Most
of the men l have talked with were
from the West. Almost every one OF
them spoke with the greatest enthusi-
aSm of Pattison. They argued that,
since he has twice carried the greatest
Republican city IN the United States,
and twice carried the greatest Republi-
can State, that he would be sure to car
ry Pennsylvania again, this time for
Presidential ticket, Of which he should
be the head.
Now I, of course, do rot believe he
can do it, and l told those men so.
When national issues are at stake Penn
sylvania cannot be carried by any DEM
ocratic ticket. But 1 could not con-
vince them Of this.
NOT CLEVELAND OR HILL.
Sat any rate, they argued, in reply
to my opinion, neither Hill nor Cleve-
land ought to be nominated. They fear
that if the one gets the nomination the
friends Of the other in New York will
surely stab him in the back, and lose
the State. l agreed with them on this
point and I do not believe either Hill or
Cleveland will be the candidate. The
will go to some man outside
Of New York. PattisOn has more
friends in the West than any other
Democrat mentioned.
"Your Governor seems to me to be
me of the most popular men ever saw.
Talking with people about the hotel, l |
ind that he is most warmly praised by |
Ill the visitors to the Springs, whether |
vas much struck uy MS perfect poIlJe-
ness. I saw him going down the walk
today and he met two nursemaids who
bowed to him, and he lifted his hat with
The same courtesy as II they were the
finest ladies of his acquaintance. The
children are not afraid of this great man
either. L love Governor Pattison.' 1
heard one little girl say Whata hand
some man he is, too. Do you know,
good looks and good manners are as
noDular as they ever were?"