Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-10-13
HB TAP THB BARL?.
IF Hs DIDN'T SIEVE ELKINS Is AN
ICEBERG.
Imporiunsd By Politicians for Doodle From
Early Morning Till he Escaped 10 Mounds
vile Last Night

II there is anything which causes the
heart of the average politician OF the
Republican persuasion, to leap with de-
light, it is the campaign visits of Ste
phen B. Elkins. Steve possesses what
is known in slang parlance as a "bar'i, "
and he also has an intense ambition to
represent West Virginia in the United
States Senate. The uninitiated may
not discover the connection between the
two, but If you happen to be on the in
side, regarding Republican political
methods, you will understand why Ell
kins' visit vas the most significant
event Of the campaign.
IL is quietly given out that some local
politicians were disappointed on the oc-
casion Of this particular visit. II was
not because they lacked nerve and stay
ing qualities, however. Oh dear, no.
From early morning until six O'Clock
the Mcclure was the Mecca Of all the
local Republican politicians-Doliticians
great and small, OF high and low degree.
They swarmed the corridors OF the Nc
Lure like so many bees, impatiently
awaiting their turn 10 be ushered into
the august presence OF the
man with the Doodle. And
the CRY of distress which came from
th en-. would have drowned even EIkins'
own calamity wall. There were strange
faces in the hungry horde, too. DR.. d.
MAYER, of Charleston, was In the city,
ostensibly on other business, but drop
ped in TO pay his respects 10 Steve. The
genial doctor was probably several
pounds heavier when he left. II is re
ported that kilograms were sent TO the
upper Panhandle, but the bosses up
there couldn't come down, and author
lied the local leaders to take charge OF
their slice. Chairman Hall, OF the
County Executive Committee, also made
a purely social (?) call, and the leglsla-
tive candidates took their turn In the
procession.
Elkins might have been hattered by
the attention he received from the local
Republicans, were it not for the fact
that he was there before and learned g
thing or two. De is a very astute poll
tician, is Mr. Elkins, and his eagle eye
discovered something more than ordin-
airy courtesy in the visit OF the Repu6li-
can hosts. In fact, the whole matter
was badly managed. 1t was oVerdoRe.
II was not necessary to send all the
leaders in the county. Elkins had his
MUD fixed anyhow. He had figured
the thing out in advance, and
the opportunities of the entire crowd
wonld not increase the dimensions OF
Ohio county's slice Of his Doodle.
Steve Elkins is not fool. He realizes
the hopalessness OF the situation, so lar
as his chances for being elected Senator
are concerned-and he doesn't care fig
for the others-so he is laying his plans
for 90. lie admitted that Republican
chances for carrying the Legislature are
slim, in his speech Thursday night at
the Opera House. He is q shrewd bust
ness man, and his distribution Of Doodle
is q business matter He pays the price,
and expects to go to the Senate.
But Eigins actually believes that the
9. o. .. will be successful this fall. lie
was also certain OF success two years
ago. He has been unable to figure out
a majority in the next Legislature, but
the next-ab, there's the rub. If he
can elect a majority OF the thirteen
Senators this fall, he will have some
thing to start with in the Legislature OF
'g5. Therefore, Mr.. Elkins stipulates
that the Doodle which he distributes, is
for the purpose Of securing the election
Of Senatorial candidates.
II is understood that the local Repub-
lcans did not get what they expected,
but the bar'l was opened and the situa-
ton doesn't appear quite so hopeless as
before Mr. Elkins came. 1t is remark
able the way they hustle when they
have "a dead sure thing