Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-12-15
CROPPING IN THB DARK.
A MEETING WITHOUT AN OBJECT, WHICH
FULFILS IT'S PURPO,E.
Fbs Republicans Assembled at Odd Fellows Hall
Vaiuly Try to Discover "Whers They
Are at and Adjourn.

,qid ,'united in the call" knew the oo-
Iecr Of the meeting. To all the rest IL
vas as clear as mud. II the meeting
,eally had any object it was not deyel-
med during the evening, for the only
notion passed was motion TO ADJOURN
But there was a well defined suspicion
among the friends OF Candidate 1om
Bennett that the call was written oy tne
editor Of the IHteIigeRcer, ana tnat
there was a scheme on foot, but what IL
vas is a matter for conjecture. OSten-
dblv the meeting was called TO consult
win a view to selecting the strongest
candidate for Mayor. This was
secular preceding, since the Gus
ON OF choosing candidate
ov primary election has been the rule
heretofore, and the City Executive
Committee had decided not to devlate
from the established custom.
Finding that the meeting had no APP
Darent purpose, some OF the good Re
Dublican brethren tried by means OF
orofuse discharge Of oratorial pyrotech-
mics 10 convince the faithful that the
Republicans had ''dead cinch" on the
Mayoralty. All that was necessary to
insure success was to induce every Ke-
publican to vote the straight tlcket,
and cajole the Democrats into scratch
Ing their ballots. The burden ofsthe re-
marks was TO the effect that scratching
by Republicans was deplorable, an
UNPABDCNABLE SIN,
but il the Democrats INDUCED in the
same business it showed lofty spirit Of
iDdependeAce. But the meeting was
not even unanimous upon that point.
Some OF the candidates did not approve
of drawing the lines too closely. be-
lieving an apparent liberal policy 10 be
the best means OF securing the coveted
prize-the disconnected Democratic
vote.
Chairman J. K. Hall, Of the County
Executive Committee, called the meet
ing TO order and stated that the Demo-
Gratis had nominated a man who was
not satisfactory 10 the party, and told
how this was the golden opportunity OF
Republicans to step in and secure the
Mayoralty plum. He named as chair
man of the meeting DR.. S. l.. Jepson.
DR.. Jepson didn't expect 10 be called
upon to preside. He knew absolutely
nothing about the object of the meet
ing. He thought every citizen should
have an interest in good municipal gov
eminent. He considered il business
matter purely, and thought party was
secondary consideration. What the
party wanted was man who would ep-
10 peal fairminded Democrats. He
thought a secretary was necessary ad-
junct, and VIM. Graham, the letter car
rier, was selected.
As soon as the Chairman took his seat
Col. Jake Eemp.e arose and told how
he had always fought for the RepuOli-
can party. and the great interest he felt
in local political affairs. He wanted to
know "Where he was at, IS the object
Of the meeting was not clearly defined.
10 was called without authority, and
had no right to take any action. The
executive committee was the proper au-
thority in the matter, and IL was not
good politics 10 override its action.
The city was not pOperly governed, and
il would be an easy matter TO beat the
Democrats this time, on the head Of the
ticket az least, but he was at loss to
know what to do.
IN TIE DARK, TOO.
Mr.. Mccormack, a member of the Ex-
ecutlve Committee, who was present,
stated that the Committee was then
in session and was awaiting the action
of the meeting.
Then Hon. c. w. Atkinson tried to
explain why it was called. He under
stood that il was TO consider ways and
means of carrying the city for the Re-
publicanS, and not for uniting upon any
candidate for Mayor. Republicans are
going about whiOing, "It's no use trying
70 beat Mayor Seabright." He didn't
believe in such jargon. The Democrats
carry the city just because a Democrat
will vote his party ticket every time it's
placed under his nose. HIS motto was,
'Don't scratch" Mr.. Atkinson spoke
at some length, and wound up with the
s.ereotyped peroration, "As sure as the
sun sets on the day of election" etc,
etc.
Then Jake Eemple told story, and
Mr.. NJ. 4. Moran wanted to know who
had appeared before the Executive
Committee as a candidate for City Ser
geant.
Mr.. Mccormick replied that the Only
candidate who presented himself OIL
cialIy before the committee was ThoS
d. Bennett.
Mr.. Moran-"Mr Chairman, I move
that Mr. Bennett receive the full en-
dorsement Of this meeting in his candi-
dacy."
LITTLE FUN.
This was seconded by Mr.. Mayer, and
Col. Kemple and several others jumped
10 their feet 10 protest. II would eStab-
lish precedent, and somebody else
might want to endorse candidate for
Mayor. Mr.. Moran retorted that n
great many people thought that
Republicans 'and particularly certain
Republicans" had not given Mr.. Ben
net proper support He should be
recognized the same as others, and not
be compelled 20 stand alone In his can
didacy. Mr.. Mayer endorsed every
thing said by Mr.. Norm. Mr.. Bennett
did not have the support of certain Re-
publicans, and since he was the olly
available candidate aud the only ayow-
ed candidate, be thought it proper for
the meeting TO endorse him. This SEN
timent was warmly applsuded. Mat
tiers looked little 'sQually" for few
minutes, but Mr.. Moran finally with
drew his motion Ito stop further con-
tentiOn."
The discussion thus far having
thrown no light on the object of the
meeting, Mr.. Buchanan moved that
each man present consider himself
committee Of one TO work for the sue
cess Of the ticket, and then adjourn.
Mr.. Atkinson and several others didn't
want to adjourn jIst then, so Mr..
Buchanan eliminated / 3at portion OF
bis motion, aud il wen cough.
NJ 1yhouaas L Dot ~, a,d posst