Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-15
WEST VIRGINIA.
Only Recently Has There Been Much AMI
nation in the Campaign.


nation in the Campaign.
Cores pondence of The Evening Star.
WHEELING, W. VA, October IA, 1892.
Politically speaking, West Virginia is Pc
culiarly situated. She is neither northern nor
n southern state, while her population, by ira
dtion and family relationships.is about equally
divided between those classes, the one OF which
calls itself northerners and the other southern
ers. At the time Of the formation Of the state
it Is probable that more than half the people
felt kindly toward the south, though a majority
of them opposed the breaking up of the Union.
She had thousands of soldiers on each side in
the late war. Until within the last ten years a
majority Of her population were employed in
pursuits that were not in sympathy with the
protective policy Of the republican party,
though in particular sections manufacturing in
protected industries was extensively carried on.
The result of these conditions has always
been to make West Virginians intensely partisan.
Every man who could read and write has taken
a lively interest in politics and some who could
not boast of these accomplishments were
equally ardent. Every country editor and
every backwoods lawyer has felt it his bounden
duty to do everything in his power for his
party. This ia the natural result OF the state
being so nearly equally divided on sectional
lines.
Tho present campaign is the first one In
which politics hive not taken supreme pre-
eedence over everything else. 1t Is the first
time that the country papers have allowed
their news, editorial or even advertising col
umns to contain news to the exclusion Of party
politics. Apathetic campaigns have been
known before in states where the population
not so evenly divided and far sepa-
rated in tho division. but for West Virginia the
kind Of n campaign they are having this year is
genuine novelty.
There are, however, good and easily discov-
cred reasons for this state of affairs. In the
first place. James G. Blaine has for years been
the choice of the great mass of the republican
party. and the present year is no exception.
The very men who led the Harrison forces at
Chicago from this state were, prior to Mr..
Blaine s letter. his strongest adherents. On the
other hand, while Grover Cleveland was prob
ably the choice OF the majority of the demo-
Gratis, many of the leaders and most ardent po-
litical workers were favorable to either Hill or
German. The nomination Of Harrison was not
received with any show of enthusiasm in this
state. The announcement OF the nomination of
Mr.. Cleveland was heartily received by the
rank and file Of the party to which he belonged,
though quite a number Of the leaders felt that
ii was inexpedient.
Coming down to state matters, so far as the
republicans work is concerned, their nominal
tons were not characterized by any enthusiasm
whatever. The Huntington convention begged
and pleaded with Stephen B. Elkins to accept
the gubernatorial nomination. When he fatty
refused. they turned to Gen. Golf in their des-
peration and begged him to resign the United
States judgeship. to which he had been ap-
pointed by President Harrison only a few
months before. and again carry the banner.
Here they were again disappointed. George
W. Atkinson was altogether the most popular
man after these two, but he had enemies
in his own party who made his nomination i'm
possible. Atkinson favored the nomination Of
the present candidate. Thomas E. Davis Of
Grafton, and it is probable that this, more than
anything else, secured him the nomination
DEMOCRATS MORE ENrHUsIAsrIGA
Comparatively speaking. there was ndeontest
for any of the state nominations and nearly all
the candidates were put upon the ticket by &C.
clamation. The failure OF Blaine to secure the
nomination at Chicago had disheartened many
republicans. and the positive refusal Of Elkins
TO lead them in the gubernatorial fight took
away all spirit.
On the other hand, by the time the Parkers-
burg convention was held the democrats had
rallied into solid columns around the
name of Cleveland and the convention
started off with fight for all the state
offices. For governor there were many can
didates you could count on the fingers OF
both hands and every man in the lot of them O
fighter, anxious for the nomination and as
strong politically as his party. Although many
democrats did not believe MacCorkle to be the
strongest man before the convention he had
many elements of strength. including among
them a strong character. great energy and I'M
limited fighting powers. besides considerable
capacity a speaker and lawyer. For the
state authorship there were nearly dozen can
didates. each with strong following. Although
the fight at Parkersburg was waged most Bit
terly and some pretty harsh things were said
by the defeated candidates il was the good for
tune OF the democracy that every man before
the PaTkersburg convention was comparatively
young man. whose political aspirations were
not quenched by the defeat and who could not
afford, even il he felt so inclined, to do other
wise than give his full strength toward the cleo
ton Of the ticket.
THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.
Coming down TO Congressional affairs one
finds the four districts contested by democrats.
all of whom have served at least one term in
the national legislature. On the other hand
aside from Capt. b. b. Dovenor the republican
candidates are gentlemen who have been but
little heard Of except home. None of
them have ever been in Congress, and at least
three Of them are not even well known in their
own Districts In the first district Mr. Pendle-
ton, the incumbent and democratic candidate.
and Capt Dovenor will likely have close race,
"a both are popular. The district has given
Con maiorities that made IL seem safely repub-
lican, but since that gentleman withdrew from
congressional politics in lSso and became the
candidate for governor that year il has elected
Mr.. Pendleton twice, both times giving him
majorities over what were considered the
strongest men in the district. In the second
district William l.. Wilson has been elected
without trouble for several terms. His oppo-
nent in this campaign is not looked upon by
democrats u man OF great strength person.
ally. There Is, however some little alarm OF
Mr.. Wilson's chances Of succeeding himself on
account of his position on the silver question in
the last House. The Farmers Alliance is quite
strong in his district. although most Of the
members are democrats. Mr.. Wilson is making
earnest fight, and his friends predict that be
will be safely elected in spite Of any disaffection
that may be showing itself. Mr.. Wilson's op-
ponent, J. Nelson Wisner. has Q clean record
and i man of considerable force, though he
has never had an opportunity Of making for
himself a great reputation. He stands well in
his own party and ia making an active. ener-
ge'ic canvass. and IL is not unlikely that be will
be able to reduce Mr.. Wilson's majority Of two
years ago.
In the third district John d. Anderson, the
democratic candidate. has already served one
term. Although he has done nothing to gain
national fame his efforts in the last House to
secure an investigation of the census bureau
drew considerable attention to him. Through
out his congressional career be has been atten-
tive to the interests of his district and has
gaired Considerable popularity among his own
people. His opponent. Edgar p. Rucker il q
man who l. not much known over the state
but he II backed by very extensive mining and