Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-08-24
WEST VA. ALL RIGHT.
no DOUBT THAT CLEVELAND WILL CARRY
TIE STATE.
The Force BIZ AZ Issue in the Campaign-Demo-
Gratis Thoroughly ArOUssi-A Talk With
Attorney General Caldwell

eral Alfred Caldwell:
Alfred Caldwell, Attorney General Of
West Virginia, was in the city yester-
day. He came two or three days ago
and has been in consultation with the
National Democratic Committee. H
discussed yesterday the political situa-
tion iu his State.
1T is useless" said Mr.. Caldwell
'to attempt TO conceal the welI-known
fact that West Virginia is close State.
1t is equally uudeuable that, although
close, it is naturally and normally
Democratic. At recent PreSlden-
tial elections the Republican have
struggled desperately 70 capture
our e lectOral vote, but have failed, as
they will again this year. In loSS we
beat them by only 500 plurality. have
many reasons for confidence that Cleye-
lands majority over Harrison will be
very much larger next November.
cleveland is a very popular candi-
date IN the State, and will add TO the
party strength, and his candidacy gives
rs greater assurances Of success, not
only for the National ticket, but for the
State nominees. He is more universally
liked by the masses than by politicians,
and In our State, as 10 others, the move
ment for his nomination was one from
the people mp. That force will tell on
election day, / believe, TO a greater eX-
tent than can be now calculated In hS-
ureS by anyone.
stevenson is also popular in the
party, aud his candidacy will help the
ticket generally, and especially among
those Influenced by the politicians who
were not anxious for C,eve.anO'S noml-
nation.
The Republicans will, Of course,
fight very hard, and will use their
money and other agencies az their com
mand without stint. There will oe
large negro vote of w0rkmen imported
from the Black Belt in a section where
there is much railroad construction,
and there are some other minor circum-
! stances that will tell q little Ia favor OF
the Republicans; but in other ways our
opponents are weak in comparison with
1SSS.
"Their State ticket is very inferior
TO the one in that year, when General
Golf was candidate for Governor.
Thomas Z. Davis, OF Grafton, the pres
ent nominee, is a nice man, bur not
strong candidate He is not capable Ot
making q vigorous and popular canvass
like Golf did Nor has he similar
strength Inherently or by general repu-
tation.
.On the other hand the Democratic
nominee for Governor, Wa. MacCorkie,
OF Charleston, Kanawha county, Is
very vigorous campaigner, popular
man, progressive, energetic and ldentl-
fed with public Improvements OF the
most desirable character. Every one
knows that so far as good gu0ernatorlai
influence can extend he will promote
the interests of the State, whose devel-
opments, marvellous in the recent past
have as yet only fairly begun.
LAS q State contest alone, our side
has by far a better chance, and there Is
certainly nothing 10 tell in favor OF
Harrison as against Cleveland now that
was not equally operative four years
ago. Stephen b. Elkens did his utmost
then, and his alien influence Will not
certainly be Increased this year
''Having thus the advantage In res
pect 10 State as well as national uomI-
nees, the Democratic canvass will be
materially aided by the prominence or
the Force bill issue, which has been in
troduced as a bone Of contention In the
Federal political field during the last
four years. There is no State in the
country that has better reasons 10 I'M
derstand what the Republican Force
bill policy would entail than has West
d
DAYS was bitter almost beyond
description The Wheeling REG
ISrER has struck the right
chord in this matter ln
appealing to our people TO vote down
policy indorsed by the Republicans In
Congress, by their platform, and by
their Presidential nominee through his
official action as President, and also
through recent personal declarations.
Daring tho period OF prescription 1
refer to. West Nirginians who could
not take the test oath could not even be
Jurors or maintain suits In Court. Ihey
could sue, but ia order 10 prosecute the
causes 70 an issue they would have 70
take the test oath, and falling that
they had no remedy. They were not
allowed to teach school, and diSfran-
chisemeut was so universal that FOR
some time in certain parts OF the State
il was actually difficult to find sufficient
men eligible 10 hold the public Offices.
"Cnder such Republican Federal con-
troll of our elections as the Force OH,
contemplates, we would be thrown back
In the direction of those direful days
which no fair-minded West Nlrglulan
can now recall without shame. We are
competent 90 manage our own affairs,
conduct our own elections, and develop
our own resources; aud many who might
otherwise vote for the Republican
Electors will Join hands In defeating
them 10 order that the prosperous deve.-
ODment of the State under reSponNole
home rule may 90 on unimpeded.
1--WE have need Of presentation
in Congress and reason 10 dread sham
representation imposed by Washington,
which would be governed by other con-
sderatiOnS than those OF local right and
interest under fair general laws.
"As 10 the interest taken by the
Democrats OF West Virginia IN the
present contest, l need Only call your
attention of the character OF the dele
cation that was here the other day.
With Governor Fleming and Senator
Faulkner, there were w. f. Chiffon,
Chairman OF the State Committee; w.
C. Handlan, Treasurer, and William a.
Ohley, Secretary OF state OF the Com
mOnwealth and Secretary Of our com
mittee. These distinguished men and /
others who accompanied them would /
not certainly have come here at this |
early day II they were not fully aroused /
o, IL nnraitinns OF the cnntnSt and de- |