Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-16
PREDICTING A BREAK.
Hopeful Republican Leaders of West
Virginia Are Already
HARD AT WORK FOR PROTECTION.
Grounds for Their Belief Thst the State
will Get Into Line
EVIDENT ANXIETY OF THE DEMOCRACY
rrrox 4. STAFF CORRESPONDENCE

rsoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENCE
WHEELING, Aug. 16-Just now, imme-
diately following the State Conventions of
the two parties, both Republicans and
Democrats in West Virginia are making
extensive preparations for what all admit
will be Q most desperate and doubtful
struggle. By common consent the formal
campaign will open late, and be brief and
vigorous But 1t is doubtful whether there
is any section Of the country where politics
is more elaboratsly discussed, or where more
general interest is taken in the State and
National results
The Republicans have determined to make
magnificent effort to place the war-born
State in the column where they believe it
naturally belongs They argue that Sec
ton that was true to the Union in the hour
of trial and which contains a larger number
of Federal than Confederate veterans, does
not belong to the solid South by tradition.
Beyond that, it is pointed out, the indus
tries and fast developing resources OF West
Virginia are perhaps more directly inter-
ested in the maintenance of the protective
policy than any other Commonwealth. 1t
is not strange, then, that while the canvass
has not been regularly opened, Harrison
and Reid banners already float to the breeze
on every hand and Republicans are making
earnest individual efforts all along the line.
More Republicans Than Democrats
eve think there are more of us In the
State than them," said c. B. Hart, Chair
man of the Delegation to the recent Mime
apolis Convention, "and we propose to get
out our full strength if possible. We polled
more votes than the Democrats in 1888, but
not enough more to prevent them from
holding on to the offices. This year we hope
and expect to make the victory so pro-
nounced that there will be no possibility of
juggling similar to that which prevented
the seating of General Goff in the Gov
ernor's chair.
MANY prominent Democrats have admit
ted to me, continued Mr.. Hart, shat they
knew Fleming was not elected at the polls
One of their party leaders said the other
day that the score in 1888 was tie, but that
they had the deal For this reason it is
necessary for us to win by an unmistakable
margin. In 1888 General Golf ran consid-
erably ahead of the national ticket because
OF his personal popularity, but 1 look for
the State and national tickets to keep very
close together this year. It will be test
of party strength on the plain issue of pro-
lection and free trade, and we are very
hopeful of the result. Of course, we realize
that the Democratic campaign is in the
hands Of able leaders, and in this State the
advantage of long purses is on that side"
"You do not, then, regard the large Dem
ocrstic majority in West Virginia in 1890
as discouraging feature?"
In the Tidal Wave Year
tsBy no means This State was not alone
in that tidal wave. This years returns
from Oregon and Rhode Island show that
the Republican voters are all in line again,
and those of West Virginia will not lag be-
hind the rest of the country. On the con-
trary, the result in Alabama shows that the
Democracy In the South is by no means
in the best possible condition. I am not
a rainbow-chaser, and would not for a
moment think of depending upon the elec-
toral votes of such States as Alabama for
success But it is by no means impossible
that one or more of them will break away
from the hitherto solid column. The fact
that Jones was obliged to depend upon
colored votes for victory is certainly q most
remarkable feature. In West Virginia the
coiored vote does not cut much of a figure,
that element being only per cent of the
population. For that reason the usual
Southern Democratic cry of NEGRO domi-
nation" has no place here.
"It has been claimed that the labor diff
culties, particularly at Homestead, would
have an effect upon the situation. What
do your observations indicate?" was
asked.
Not for Free Trade and Less Pay.
ct do not think a single vote will be
changed in the State on that account" re-
piled Mr. Hart 81 have investigated that
feature very carefully, and while may be
mistaken, that is my present opinion.
Of course this section is large
ly devoted to the iron industry,
and the workers here are greatly interested
In the outcome of the Homestead dispute
They have raised considerable money to
send there. Our men here make good
wages, but not as high as the scale offered
and refused at the scene of the present
trouble For this reason they look over the
situation logically, and I do not believe that
because Carnegie and his employees cannot
agree West Virginia workmen will vote for
practical free trade and reduced wages all
around"
Another Republican leader thought that
the State nomination would tend to the ad-
vantage of the party. He said: 'sMr. Davis,
the Republican candidate, is not a man
who has devoted himself to politics He
has served creditably in the State Senate,
q
popular among his associates and the people
generally. While not a rich man, as the
world goes now, he is very comfortably
fixed in this worlds goods, and
will contribute literally for all
legitimate campaign expenses. Then, too,
some Democrats who disapprove of the
manner in which Golf was robbed of the
governorship will vote for the Presidential
electors of their party, but not the State
ticket
A Defender of the Confederate Chief
''On the other hand" he continued, enc
Corkle will add no strength to the op-
position. He has been professional poll
tician for years, and is net remarkably well
liked by his associates, who are afraid of
his seemingly boundless ambition. Nc
Corkle will hardly get the vote of a
single Union soldier in the State
He is the man who, couple |
of years ago, struck the present United |
States Marshal of West Virginia in hotel |
diningroom because the latter spoke |
slightingly of Jefferson Davis Then the |
Democratic candidate is not possessed of |
remarkable popularity with the general |
public. He is rattling stump speaker,
but that is about all look for the success
of both the State and National Republican |
tickets, but think the former will be httle |
ahead for the reasons have named"