The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-08-01

&
agers..-story of a Cruel Treatment.
Eastman Men Broke tho Mao CorkIe
slatc..-Thc Garden Matter.
Much interesting history can be writ
ten concerning the late state Demo-
cratic convention, and great deal can
be told that will throw light on some
phases OF the gubernatorial fight which
have puzzled the public. As has been
seen, the nomination of MacCorkle was
more the result OF combination OF pc
culiar circumstances thanit was due to
the popularity of the candidate. In
fact, it cannot be successfully denied
that MacCorkle was not the popular
candidate before the convention, and
that but for the deal made which Sc.
cured for him the main strength of the
Panhandle counties on the first ballot
and their practically solid vote on the
second, he never would have
ibeen the nominee. It was not
that the people OF the Pan-Han-
die demanded MacCorkle, but that
those who controlled the yotegave 1t in
the interest OF Gardens contest for
auditor. This is history and no ono
will deny 1t. Had Garden made the
same deal with Bennett or Eastman
lie could not have Jared worse than he
did, but, on the contrary he might
have Jared better. At least, MacCor-
kle would not now be the head OF the
ticket. But all this is commonplace,
for 1t is current gossip. There is more
interesting phase Of the gubernatorial
fight between the factions which is yet
unpublished history. It concerns what
may be called "the passing Of Farmer
Eastham."
HOW EASTMAN WAS ENTERED.
There was something more involved
| in the campaign than the satisfaction of
the mere personal ambitions Of candi-
dates. Bennett was early in the race,
and from the very start developed O
strength that not only surprised his
enemies, but filled them with appre-
hension lest he should secure the plum.
Among these was ex-senator Camden,
between whom aud the Bennetts there
has existed feud Of long standing.
MacCorkle was also strong candidate,
but the ex-senator then looked with
scarcely moro favor upon the Kanawha
man than upon Bennett. This was
principally because he did not have
confidence in MacC Corkle's ability to de-
feat the Lewis county candidate, So 1t
was that whom Eastman began 10 be
talked about Mr.. Camden conceived the
| idea OF encouraging the Mason county
| farmer with the Wow OF defeating Ben
nett with him.
Whether Mr.. Camden was moved by
q sincere desire to make Farmer East
ham governor, or whether he simply
wanted to use him as a club with which
to kill off Bennett, no matter who else
| It made tho governor, may mover be
known. Certain II Is, and have it
upon the best authority, that he is d.
rectly responsible for the Eastman
idea and the starting OF the farmer
moyement, and the subsequent cruel
desertion at a time when, by proper
management, Eastman could have been
the nominee.
Mr.. cAMpEN's OPPORTUNITY.
When Eastham's name was first men.
toned it was considered by many Dem.
ocratic leaders that his nomination
would be q wise stroke OF policy, since
| it would head off the Farmers Alliance
and Peoples party movements, which
were assuming such large proportions
IN namnHRattN atranuh0lda
Mr.. Camden saw in tho popular idea
that this was good year "a. nominate
farmer for governor his opportunity to
defeat the Bennett movement, and gave
| it his sanction. He did more. He sent
for some OF his chief and trusty lieuten.
ants, among them Secretary OF State
| Ohleyand exc Collector JohnT. McGraw,
and laid his plaps before them. In a
conference it was arranged that they
should Immediately begin an active
campaign. Thewhole arrangement was
mapped out. Senator Camden, Colonel
Chancellor, Governor Flemingand other
of his chief advisers authorized ohley
and McGraw to set the ball to rolling,
and were promised that in their cam.
paign they should have the heartysym.
pathy and substantial cooperation OF
| Mr.. Camden and his friends.
II should be here stated that both
McGraw and 0hley had, previous to
this, been heartily In sympathy with
the Eastman movement on the ground
Of party policy. / have every reason to
believe that they were sincerely in
earnest and were unselfsh to the degree
that they only desired Eassham's nom
ination because they believed that a
crisis had arrived in the history Of their
party in West Virginia and that it
could only be bridged over by the nom
ination Of q real farmer candidate.
Owing to the condition that confronted
the party In the state their position
was perfectly logical. So when they re.
ceived the assurances Of Mr.. Camden's
support they entered on the work with
characteristic vim and vigor.
BEoISNISa OF THE END.
Farmer Eastman was communicated
With and on the assurances Of the
Camden men he was encouraged to 60
ahead and make the canvass. Not be-