Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-09-28
MEYER IS ROW A DEMOCRAT.
Brooklyn's Last Republican Candidate for
Mayor Sees the Light

Mayor secs lto bibhN'
Columns of extravagant praise Of
Henry A Meyer appeared in the Re-
publican papers of Brooklyn and New
York when he was a Republican candi-
date for mayor last fall. Prominent
members Of the Union League club,
local campaign orators, clergymen and
business men commended him for his
honesty Of purpose and gave him rep
utation of which any man might feel
proud. Mr.. Meyer has determined to
support the nominees OF the national!
Democratic convention. Mr.. Meyer has
sent letters Of resignation to all the Re-
publican organization of which he has
been member. Among them are the
Union league and Fourteenth Ward Re
publican clubs. When asked by the
Edgle reporter If it was true that he in
tended TO vote for Cleveland and Stew
enson Mr.. Meyer replied in the affirma-
tive. He was asked 10 state his reasons
for advocating the election OF ex-Presl-
dent Cleveland, and the ex-candidate
for the mayoralty replied:
They are simply and strictly polltl-
cal. Personally have the highest re-
gard for President Harrison, but the
policies Of the Republican party to
which he stanes committed no longer
command my approval. l refer partic
/ ularly to the high tariff policy. As a
/ plain everyday citizen and business
man, my sYmpathies are naturally with
people who have to work hard for liv-
! ing, and am satisfied beyond all doubt
that the Republican tariff policy tends
! to make the rich richer and the poor
| poorer. 1t means q tariff for the bene-
| ft OF millionaires and monOpolists at
/ the expense of all the other elements OF
the community. 1t builds up the Car
negies of the land, but it brushes the
! life out of the day laborer, the mechanic
and the farmer. To the Democracy, as
! led and represented by Cleveland in his
tariff reform ideas, feel that l can
commit my interests as an American
| citizen who wants sn equal share for all
and nothing more"
Are there any other questions on
| which you agree with Democrats rather
than with Republicans" the reporter
asked.
YES, there are several" said Mr..
/ Meyer; "and in this relation would
like to refer you to my friend, 0. j.
GUIDE, who managed my campaign last
! fall. He has all these issues at his fin
| ger ends, and had labored very aSsiu-
ously to bring the logic Of the Demo-
cratic position to my attention. After
! his generosity in supporting me, despite
! his devotion to the principles OF the
! Democracy, l could not, you know, in
decency refuse to listen when he wished
to argue the general question. In fact,
! | sought the argument and fought him
with considerable ayidity, and / was for
I a time half assured that / should make
! him convert to the Republican creed
but the perseverance OF Mr.. GUIDE, the
natural strenth of the Democratic posi-
ton and my own impartial study have
/ forced me to the conclusion that the
Democrats are right not only II
regard to the tariff, but In theil
atti tude to such questions as the force
bill, opposition to all sumptuary legis
lation and aversion to the centralizinl
tendencies OF the Republican party
! Under all the surface differences 1
seems to me that l can see this funda
mental distinction between the parties
! The Democrats stand for personal LID
-erty, equality and the vindication O
plain manhood, while the Republican
are tending more and more TO favor tht
money power and foster the notion tina
the masses Of the people, or one wht
/ comes from and represents the masses
cannon be safely intrusted with th'
Shaping of Legislation that affects thei
/ own interests"
"Will you act with the Democrats II
local as well as in general matters?'
THAT will Of course depend on cir
cumstances. l shall be guided solely b!
what 1 believe to be for the best inter
! ests Of the community"
At the election last fall Mr.. Meyer
ran over 5000 votes ahead of j, Sloa
Fassett, the Republican candidate foI
| governor.