The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-10-12

Tho Republican meeting at tho Opera
House last night. addressed by Hon. s.
i. Elkius, was QUO OF tho grandest
rnllios over seen in Wheeiing undor the
auspices Of either party. The house
never held more people, because 1t
could not. Downstairs aud up there
was not room loft to squeeze in another
person, and even the stage was packed
closely clear back into tho wings. Mr..
Elkins arrived from Huntington, whore
he spoke yesterday afternoon, on the S
o'clock Baltimore 4 Ohio train. Hc was
met at the station by Couuty Chairman
Hall and escorted TO tho AlcLuro house,
where many friends callcd on him. In
tho evening tho Opera House band
played several collections in front OF
front OF tho Opera House, Mr., Elkina
was escorted to tho theatre about =
o'clock, and his appearance on tho stage
was the signal for burst Of enthnsi-
nsm from tho monster assombtage. The
doors had scarcely been opened until
the rush oil people filled all the seats.
Tho stage had on it portraits OF Mckin-
ley, Blaine and other famous statea-
men, and very distinguished collect
| ION OF cilizens occupied sents thore, Hov-
eral prominent mon from Ohio and
neighboring towns on this side being
| among them. Anamber OF ladies were
also on tho stage, and others scattered
through tho body OF the house.
Mr.. Elkins remarked after tho meet
ing to an lNTELLIGESCER reporter that
he had never addressed more atten-
tive or satisfactory audience. He re-
peatedly expressed his pleasure at the
character OF his reception in Wheeling.
DOWN TO nustNEas.
Chairman J. X. Hall, OF the county
committee, called the meeting to order
aud named Captain William Il. Travis
rs chairman. Captain Travis was re-
ceived with applause. He referred to
| tho predictions OF the Democrats in the
last campaign TINT If their party was
triumphant good times would follow,
wool bring higher price, wages go up.
and q general improvement in the con-
dition OF everything be experienced,
aud then contrasted this roseate
prophesy with the gloomy condition OF
tho roal facts, as they exist to-day. His
remarks provoked frequent applause.
which was renewed with especial hearth
ness, and thrice repeated, when he in
troduced the distinguished orator OF the
evening.
Mr.. Elkins made his grateful acknowl-
edgments for tho warm reception ac-
corded him. lie said no always liked
to come TO Wheeling the leading city OF
seryative business methods, and its
solid prosperity, instanced by the fact
that with one exception she had never
had bnnk failure. Flo considered this
the most serious campaign since the
war, and he expected and hoped to dis
cuss the issues involved In 1t in frank
and honest way.
Whenever llo came to Wheeling, he
said, the Register took occasion to an
nounce the TACT in advance with some
terms OF disrcspect. The other day that
paper said something like this:
"Steve EIkins, the eminent freebooter
from New Mexico. will be here" etc.
He said he had not voted anywhere
hut in West Virginia for several years.
lie had made his home here, and he
EXPECTED TO LIVE AND DIE
here in West Virginia. TAppiause.1
lie called his audience to witness that
when Democratic speaker came here
the Republican journal did not abuse
him. IIo felt that, while this was not
Nh important matter, he shoul d refer to
it briefly, and to the extent.he had done,
resent 1t. Abuse is not argument.
This is not n campaign OF feeling. 1t
is one OF questions OF an economic char
ac.er, and friendly one. The question
il whether the Republican principle of
protection, which was in force over
thirty years, or Democratic free trade,
is hest for the country.
He reviewed the increase OF popula-
ton, growth OF manufactures. increase
Of wages and OF savings under protec.
ton. The savings increased in the
thirty years OF Republican rule twelve.
fold. Tho cry OF Cleveland and othors
that tho policy OF protection made the
rich richer and tho poor poorer was not
only untrue, but impossible. When one
class grows richor all do so In this
country large fortunes have sometimes
been made rapidly, and in n short time.
This is due partly to our free institu.
tions. In countries where such for.
tunes cannot BIS accumulated. the rich
grow poorer and the poor arc ground
down TO powder. The facts OF past his
tory in this land answer tho claim OF the
free traders.
OF course nil the prosperity OF this
country il not duo to protection, but Il
IL was IN oppressive and bHnetul it
ioieeIIR0N ioi I9I