Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-06-28
JUpGE rUoAs ExPLAINs
Ho,c He ,Cas Induced to Become an Ap-
plfcaut for the Portugal Ministry


Hoo He ,Cas Induced to Become a'' Ap-
PIfcant for the Portugal Ministry
From, the Hampshire Rerieae.
CHARLES TowN, June u, '9S.
J. J. CoRNwELL, ESQ,
Dear sir: My attention has just been
called 10 an editorial in a recent issue OF
your paper, as follows;
"Col. Daniel B. Lucas, who wanted the
endorsement of the delegation from this
State for a foreign mission, has returned
home. il is said, in disgust. Mr.. Lucas Is
anotl er one Of the old party workers VINO
made West Virginia Democratic, that has
been ruthlessly pushed aside. Politics take
strange turns
Attention having been thus directed to
the matter. deem il due to myself, and to
nv many friends in Hampshire, to explain
the circumstances under which | applied
for an appointment as minister to Portugal
In conversation with Hon. w. L. Wilson,
he remarked 10 me that Mr. Cleveland was
not going to con6ne his appointments IN
this State to one wing of the Democratic
party. as it was charged be had done eight
years ago; that the President desired to
heal factional differences, and in his ap-
poiutments TO harmonic and consolidate
the party.
In this connection Mr. Wilson asked my
opinion Of Hon. John J. Davis, and, as l
understood him, intimated that some APP
pointment might be rendered Mr. Davis, In
view Of the policy already indicated.
It is almost unnecessary to say that
commended Mr. Davis in terms commensu-
rate with his great talents, singular elo-
queuce, and genuine Democracy.
Having good reason to believe that Mr.
Cleveland had followed to some extent the
course of political events in West Virgins,
determined to make no application until
I should ascertain whether my own antece-
dents, as known to him, would constitute
an objection. in his estimation, as to my APP
pOintment.
Mr.. Wilson approached this question with
perfect candor and frankness, and in few
DAYS handed me the following letter:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, ID. c.,
March % 1898
HON. WILLIAM L. WILSON,
Washington, ID. O.,
Dear Sir have Just returned from an
interview with the President at which
showed him the note you left this morning
and told him that had no doubt that your
estimate of Judge Lucas was correct.
While he did not make any promise, he
said the Judge ought not to be discouraged
from making an application for the mission
10 Portugal | think he was fayorably im-
pressed Very truly yours,
w. Q GRESHAM.
Thus encouraged by the President and
the Secretary of State, l presented an APP
plicatiOn endorsed as follows; BY every
Democratic member Of the Legislature of
West Virginia, with three unimportant ex-
ceptions; by several prominent Republic
cans by the Supreme Court; by the Gov
efnor- elect, and all Of the other executive
officers; by the president and faculty of the
University by scholars, judges aud states
men from other States in terms of common
dation to which can only allude by Sem
ator Faulkner, Congressman Wilson, Alder
son and Pendeton. To Senator Camden,
neither made nor authorized any applica-
ton, direct or indirect, and so Informed the
President To Congressman Capehart did
not apply. because he was not in Washing
ton
In few days, Hon. John d. Anderson
called upon me to inform me he had with
drawn his endorsement. The next day, l
learned that Mr. Jno. o. PendletOn had
done the same thing, although his sense of
humiliation and shame deferred him from
informing me of his intention.
was informed about the same time, that
Mr. Camden would oppose my appoint
ment, openly and actively.
Mr.. Camdens age does, of course, pre-.
clude the idea that he will seek any further
Senatorial houOrs. Impressed with this
implied acknowledgement, he was at liberty
to consult his private resentments, rather
than the interest of the Democratic party
in West Virginia. He must, however, agree
to abide by this decision. be can not ex-
pect to run another sPEAK-EAsY campaign
in this State.
To the Democracy Of Hampshire and
West Virginia, say frankly that one rea-
son why desired to get out of the country
was an apprehension that the policy of this
administration would not be in accordance
with its pledges
The distinct and paramount issue upon
which Mr. Cleveland was elected was Tariff
Reform
Tor three months past we have not heard
a word upon this subject.
The whole energy of the administration
seems to have been concentrated upon a
scheme essentially and peculiarly, in con-
ception and conspiracy, Republican; THE
COMPLETE DEMONSTRATION OF SILVER.
To this scheme, originated in Wall street.
at the instigation of foreign bondhOlders
and bankers, am, as an American unal-
terably opposed.
An artificial crisis has been engineered by
N