The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-07-26

pi.dasaL W. Va, spseal 10 BGltlmSr Amahan,
upresent indications materialize into
practical results, tho contest for the
election Of a congressman to succeed
the Hon. William L. wilson in the noxt
Congress, will mako this, the Second
congressional district of West Virginia,
an Historic battle ground on the Geld of
national politics.
Already the situation Is full OF inter.
ost, and tho forces that viii meet in the
great conflict Of next fall ats rapidly
|cryBtalizing, preparatory to tho actual
beginning OF tho campaign. Public
questions are being generally discussed
and the Democratic deadlock in Con-
gross over the tariff bill has aroused in
tense public interest tlgg
Both parties are actively engaged In
getting the political machinery In
uhape for o perfect organization, pre-.
liminary to tho formal opening Of the
campaign. Everything will then be in
readiness for vigorous contest In q
fight that promises to be hard pressed
all along the line.
Both congressional committees have
determined upon tho time and place for
holding their respective conventions.
That Of tho Democrats will DO hold at
MartipsburR, on August 20. and the
Republicans will follow on September
D, with their convention at Elkins, tho
home town of ex.secretary Of War
Stephen d. Elkins.
WILSON'S NOMINATION CERTAIN.
Barring unforeseen accidents, 1t can
be positively asserted now that the
nomination OF Mr.. Wilson is already
assured. No other name is being mem
toned, and II Is the public under
standing that the Martinsburg convetl-
tion will nominate MIR. Wilson by
exclamation. While this is true, yet II
does not follow, by any means, as being
indicative OF united party, centering
upon great party leader, as repre-.
senting well-detined party principles
upheld by united party sentiment.
On the contrary, when 1t comes to a
"bill OF particulars" and specific In
depreciation of the Chicago platform
and just whatis meant by the Demo-
cratic creed OF tariff reform, the Demo-
crata OF this district are as hopelessly
divided as their own party is divided in
tho house and senate Of the national
Congress.
Great indignation was felt throughout
the district mauifesting itself In open
opposition TO Mr.. Wilson's theory, dur
ing the period OF the construction Of
the tariff law by the ways and means
committee and its passage through tho
house. Vigorous protests came up from
prominent Democrats, such rs ex.Gov.
ernor Fleming, ex-Secretary OF State
William A. 0hley and others who have
interests in the great Fairnont coal re-
gion.
The disaffection Of this element oper-
ating in conjunction with other causes,
gave rise to talk OF movement in favor
Of some other congressional nominee,
and such prominent Democrats rs ex-
Goyernor Fleming, Hon. John r. Nc
Graw, OF Grafton, and Hon. u Wood
Daley. of Keyser, wero discussed In a
general way.
But, utterly, with tho condition Of
business still domoralized, and the in
competency OF tho Democratic party in
Congress to deal with the tariff, Demo-
cratic recalci.rants In tho diatrict are
now willing for Mr.. Wilson to assume
the burden OF tho contest and vindicato
himself and party If be can.
REPUBLICAN, PosstBthtrlRs.
tits upon tho supposition ofMr Will
sons nomination that the calculations
Of tho Republicans are predicatod in
looking for their best man to pit against
tho great apostle Of tariff reform in tho
house. Under all tho circumstances Re-
publicans are worry hopeful OF the out
look, although the district 10 normally
Democratic by about 800 plurality. Tho
confidence OF tho Republicans is well
exempliGed in the fact that thero
is scarcely Republican In the
district, in any way eligible for
tho nomination, who would not like
10 hayo 1t. From time to time
there havo boon, in the aggregate, az
many as q dozen names OF Republicans
who have been urged for the nomtna-
ton by their respective friends.
From among the Republicans In the
district who arc most distinguished and
best known as party leaders are ex-Sec-
rotary Of War Stephen 3. Elkins, OK.
United States Commissioner OF Internal
Revenue John ". Mason, George Q.
sturgiss, OF Morgantown, and A. Cor:
don Dayton, OF Philippi. All four oil
these gentlemen are widely known
throughout the state, whilo Mr.. Elkins
is q conspicuous figure in national pol.
itics and Mr.. Mason's reputation also
extends far beyond tho state lines. OF
these four there arc two, Messrs. Stur-
giss and Dayton, who aspire to tho
nomination. Mr.. Elkins will, Of course,
take an active part in tho campaign
bnt he has not authorized tho uso oil
his name in connection with tho con-
OCCASIONAL nomination, and it is known
his name will not come before tho con-
Vention.
Mr.. Mason's position is also vol
known, and he 10 in no sonse a present
or prospective candidate. His friends
state there are personal considerations
which would require him to make con-
siderable sacrifices wero no to take tho
nomination. At tho Bamo timc, al'
though he Is known to DO sincore. IN
his position, and is not boing looked
upon as candidate, still thoro is u
strong sentiment in tho district favor.
able to him, and It is believed his loyal.
ty TO the call OF his party would prevent
him from declining tho nomination
should tho Elkins convention unto on
Mr.. Mason is a forciblo, convincing
speaker, with great persuasive power
aad a strong faculty for winning Demo.