Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-10-12
A CALAMITY Wall
VAS Mr. ELEINS SPEECH AT THE OPERA
HOUSE LAST MIGHT.
A Dark Picture Of The Effects Of Democratic
Tariff LsgislatiOn-A GOod-Sizsd
Crowd Present

addressed a good-sized meeting at the
Opera House last night. Mr.. Eikins
arrived from Falrmont on the afternoon
train over the B. & o., and registered
1t the MeLure. All the leading local
politicians OF the Republican persuasion
called upon him, and it is quietly limited
that the worst side Of the situation in
this county was presented 20 Mr.. Elkins,
with a view TO sec uring a nice fat slice
OF his wealth, TO aid IN the
election of the Legislative ticket. Mr..
Elklns would like TO 90 to the Senate
from West Virginia, but be has figured
the thing out, and he can't see ma
jority on his side Of the fence.
The Opera House last night was
we'll filed, aud nearly all the chairs
on the stage were occupied. Seated
among the vice presidents were about
dozen ladies'. The Opera House band
pIayed in front Of the theatre Tor about
tbree-ouarters OF an hour, and sue
ceeded In drawing a crowd. Mr.. Eikins
WAS not escorted from his hotel by the
band. His speech failed to arouse the
expected enthusiasm. There was some
cheering az the mention OF names
OF Republican candidates, hut
otherwise the crowd was cold. Mr..
Elkins' speech was in the main an ex-
agRerated portrayal Of the condition oil
business aud wild guesses at the effects
OF the Senate bill. IL was calamity
wall. All Republican stumpers are
using the same arguments, II such they
NAV be called, the only difference among
them being matter OF degree. Mr..
Elkips' address was superlative effort
in the "croaking" line He belongs 10
q school OF stUmpers who draw a line to
divide the good and bad, and name one
Republican and the other Democrat.
The meeting was called 20 order by
Chairman ]. X. Hall, OF the County
Executive Committee, who introduced
as Chairman Captain W. II. Travis.
Captain Travis made few remarks ia
introducing the speaker OF the evening,
and there was a liberal showing OF ap-
plause when Mr.. Elkins stepped up to
the table, which occupied q position in
the rear OF the fOotlights. He started
out by expressing his gratitude for the
cordiality of his reception, and said
several very pretty things about the
responsibility and intelligence Of the
audience. he didn't dwell on this line
long, however, He was chOck full OF
calamity walls, and had 70 get rid OF
them.
The first matter he took up after
promising TO discuss issues fairly, was
criticism ia the REGISTER. 10 fact,
about oue-fourth OF his time was de-
voted to denounCing the REGISTER. He
was surprised TO be termed a free
booter" He left New Mexico eighteen
years ago, and has been a citizen of this
State for twelve years. He said he has
all his money invested here, and expects
TO live AID die in West Virginia. He
aroused some sympathy when he posed
as an object Of REGISTER abuse, aud
pointed TO the fact (?) that "our journal
prints nothing of personal character
about the distinguished men In the
Democratic party"
He said the only way to Judge OF the
economic policies of the two parties,
was by their results, and then proceed
ed 10 hold the Democrats responsible
for the business depression during the
past two years, alleging that the Demo-
cratic economic policy was lin vogue
virtually In vogue" He waxed eloquent
in picturing the unparalleled prosperity
under thirty wears of Republican ad-
ministratiOn. The population Increased
from thirty TO siXty-seven millions,
wealth increased four fold, manuiaC-
lures six fold, savings twelve fold, etc,
aud tho Republicans did It all. The
Democratic "solecism" that the rich
are growing richer, and the poor poorer,
was an impossibility. IL one class grew
richer, the other must necessarily do
the same He admitted that all the
prosperity was not do TO protection,
but the bOundless resources OF the
country, the skill and ingenuity Of the
people, and free institutions had some
thing TO do with 1t. He was certain of
one thing, hOwever-the country could
not have prOspered il the Democrats
had administered the government.
He next argued that protection is not
unconstitutional, alleging that all the
great statesmen from Washington TO
jackson held 10 the same opinion. He
told about man whom he met in Man
nington, who worked 10 Democratic
times twelve hours day for forty cents,
End added that under the present sex
q
direction. The Republican party con-
fessed TO favoring high wages. 1t was
through the medium OF high WAGES that
the country had prospered for thirty
years Men in the iron mills who made
s. a DAY under BuChsnan'S atminiStra.
ti1n, now make as high as SIS day.
This was putting il a LITTLE strong, but
IL sounded well, and therefore served
the purpose OF the peaker
Mr.. Eikins eulogized the aGminiStra-
tiOn OF HarrisOn-he was d Cabinet Of
Rcsr-pronOuncing il one of the wisest
in the history OF the nation. Under ia
the export trade in agricultural pro
ducts increased wonderfully. He paint
ed a beautiful word picture of the pros
perity and cOntentment 10 1892, pre-
ceedlng the election which was won by
she Democrats through false promises
and deception. Ii was natural for
the people TO be deceived, as the Demo
cratic liars were so plausible, you know.
Business started 10 decline on
the day following election. Mr.. Elkins
didn't make the reason for this clear,
leaving the inference that the voters
thought it over, decided they had made
fools Of themselves, ana then closed up
their factories aud business houses. 1t
was all through fear that the Demo.
Gratis meant what they said in the cam
paign.
Mr.. ElkinS then rendered his calam-
ity song, with variations. 1t differed
from the usual wall of the Republican
orators, In that il was more pathetic,
and was delivered with dramatic ear