Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-09-15
HON. D 4. LEONARD
A Parkersburg Democrat Sees In taim
All the Indications OF n Winner


70 he EdtOr or M RsJts,s-;
Srp;-The Democrats Of the State OF
West Virginia seem 10 take a deep In
terest in the contest for Congressional
boDors in this district. While 10 Is quite
natural that the Democratic voters
should discuss the merits OF the several
gentlemen suggested as candidates, 1t
IL rather surprising that those outside
OF the district should take so much IN
tsrest and such an active part In nam-
ing the candidate. The Democrats OF
she district are certainly competent Of
selecting their own candate. am led
10 these remarks by severa, articles
which have appeared in your able jour
mai, and particularly by the one in your
issue OF the 18th inst, dated "Charies-
son, w. Va, September IL" in which
this self-cOustituted meriter OF the
Third district endeavors TO settle the
Congressional honogs % thiS-the
Fourth.
1t is true there is and has been some
difference OF opinion as TO who should
bt the Democratic candidate; that we
held q convention and after hard
fight made nomination by close
shave aud put our candidate IN the
field, who for reasons best known 10
himself declined the honor after having
devoted 4 great deal OF time and labor
20 secure 10. The convention az Ra-
VensWoOd was one of the largest and
most enthusiastic ever held In the dis
trict,'and 6rmly believe that the nOml-
nee would have bseu elected II he nad
made the canvass, but having with
drawn il devOlyeS upon the Democrats
70 nominate his successor, ana WAOlS so
entitled TO IL as the distinguished gen
tleman who so ably and neatly contest
ed the hOuOrs with Mr. Capehart, Hon.
ID. IL. Leonard. lie certainly was the
second choice Of the Democrats OF this
district among the the gentlemen
whose names we're before the cOnven-
ton. A short review OF his history will
demonstrate his fines for the position
and his claims upon the Democrats OF
the district rs we'll as his ability 70 add
lustre TO the fame Of our new State.
he came 10 West Virginia in the year
1864, during the thrOes Of the great
civil war, and settled in Writ county,
and being a Democrat from principle,
he boldly made known his devotion 70
its principles and cast his first vote Tor
General George Is. MCCleiland and the
Democratic ticket. having then Just at
tained mis- majority. When be came to
Writ county there was hardly man
who had the courage TO proclaim his
devotion TO the principles OF the Demo
cratic party. During the reign OF ter
ror which then existed by reason Of Re-
publican rule the Democrats were not
permitted TO hold public conventions
aud make their nominations, and great
caution was required 10 get their ticket
in che field; consequently Mr.. Leonard
had to write private letters 10 Demo-
Gratis in order 70 get up an organization
of the party ia that county.
To 1865 NJ. V. Emch, w. c. Stewart
aud d. Il. Leonard composed the first
meeting OF Democrats after the war
and organized the party and by his IN
dustry and ability and eloquence he
sowed such good Democratic seed that
II sprung up and yielded a hundred fold
and made Writ county one Of the
StauncheSt Democratic counties in the
State. In 1866 be was appointed Prose
cutting Attorney OF Writ county. Ard
as chairman OF the Democratic County
Executive Commt,ee3ae volunteered 10
defend and did defend all Democrats
who were prosecuted by the Infamous
Board Of Registration which then ul-
dertOok 10 control the politics and des
tinies Of the several counties OF This
State, aud this be did without charging
q single man single dollar. In 1877
Mr.. Leonard was elected a member OF
the Constitutional Convention Of the
State with Hon. Judge Okey
Johnson of this Senatorial
districs and distinguished himself
IS one Of the bOliest and most indefGti-
gaole advocates OF the rights aud inter
eSts Of the people. 10 1876 be was made
\ member Of the Democratic State ES-
ecutiVe Committee aud Ia 1850 was
made chairman Of that committee, aud
by his ability and untiriug industry and
devotion 10 Democratic principles we
we're enabled to carry the state. He
VAS reelected 70 the same important
and responsible position 10 1884 and In
1SSS. when be resigned because Of his
intention TO remove from the state.
During this period be had held the
position OF Prosecuting Attorney in the
county OF Writ for SIX years and In the
count of Wood for five years, positions
requiring great legal ability and ener-
gy. His ability and popularity were
so great that during this period
the people OF Wood aid Peasants
counties elected him TO represent them
10 the Legislature, where ne took
position second 20 none. Remember
that all these victories were obtained
by him in this Republican county OF
Wood, where there was between tWO
and three hundred majority against the
Democratic party. The fact is Mr..
Leonard is one among the most popular
Democrats in this district. If be had
not been be could not have made such
gallant canvass for the nomination at
the late Democratic convention in the
short time OF three weeks and never
went Outside of his county, while his
opponents had been exerting themselves
for months, spending time and money.
His opponent was only nominated by
Que vote, and il there had been . second
ballot there is no doubt but
that Mr.. Leonard would have
been the nominee. He is undoubtedly
the choice Of the untrsmbled Democrats
o. the Fourth District and under the
present aspect OF affairs one of the
strongest Democrats who can be nom
.iDated. He is a seli-msde mana man
or the people who stands By his prin-
ciples and hts party aud In whom there
is 10 shadow OF turning. He is allied
TO no factions for cliques and will vote
for measures aud not meu, and If the
Democrats Of this district wish 10 de-
feat the Republican nominee they will