The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-10-13
WHEELING, OCTOBER 10, 1901.
"Pcrnicious Actirilyn In ohlo.


The Ohio Democrats are growing dos
pcrate. One. OF the best evidences OF
this is found in tho fact that tho State
administration, OF which Candidate
Campbell is tho chief, is engaged in an
activity such MS the Honorable Grover
Cleveland might term "pernicious."
For instance, the penitentiary guards,
one hundred in number, who are paid
by the taxpayers Of the State for
guarding prisoners, and form a COM
ponent part OF the administration, are
just now making themselves useful in
other directions. While drawing pay
Tor guarding convicts, they are
incidentally doing party duties in
tho various counties to which
they are accredited. TO be
sure, while they are absent
from their posts at Columbus their
places are filled by substitutes, and the
State convicts are as well guarded,
probably, rs II the servants paid to per-
form that duty we're there, though it is
limited that the Subs were picked up t
random i'll Columbus and that some OF
them are utterly unlit for the work and
would not be accepted into the State
service were they required to undergo
the regular examination prescribed by
law; however, that doesn't matter. The
regular guards arc distributed through
out the State, hustling for Governor
Campbell when they should be on
Cuty, and are violating the spirit OF the
civil service reform laws OF which the
Democratic party claims to be the es-
pecial friend and champion.
The penitentiary guards do not enjoy
%sinecures. They receive only $50 per
month each, and arc obliged to pay S
per cent. OF this into the Democratic
campaign fund. They were inclined to
"kick' against this assessment, until
they We're informed that they would be
granted a leave OF absence, at the States
expense, to 60 out and work ior the re-
election OF Governor Campbell. The
prospect OF g few days vacation" at
their respective homes soitened their
feelings somewhat, and they paid the
campaign assessment with comparative
chceriulncss. And SO they are now at
work in every county.
These guards are doing effective work.
just as every other beneficiary OF the
last Democratic successin Ohio is doing.
Its 4 desperate case with the Buckeye
Democrats and desperate means are
being resorted to. One of tho methods
OF the one hundred prison guards who
are scattered throughout the State, is to
approach their Republican friends and
ask them TO do them n personal favor by
voting Tor Governor Campbell, SO that
they may hold their places another
year or so. Very lew Republicans are
caught in this way, because most Re-
pu0llcans see greater things ut stake in
this campaign than the mere matter OF
aplacc fora Democratic prison guard,
even though he may be a good fellow"
The fight i'll Ohio this year does not in
volvc local affairs so much as it involves
national principles. The Republicans
OF the State tu!ly realize this and are
not at all likely to sacrifice their party's
welfare for personal friendships.
Tho Democratic committee may as
well call the penitcntiary guards to their
posts and discharge the substitutes.
Tho people OF the State do not ice. that
they can afford this double expense OF
I guarding convicts, von for the sake OF
aiding Mr.. Campbell to hold on to the
office OF Gotcrnor.