Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-23
A STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
What the Democratic Papers Say OF the
Proposition TO Nominate U. 5. Senator
at = state Convention.


The Democratic Executive Commit
tee, which met at Camden-on-Gauley on
the 18th inst, adjourned to hold an
other meeting at Charleston OF the oath
inst with view TO calling State Con-
vention, first, to make a platform to
unite the Democratic party ia the APP
proval OF such tariff bill as shall be
passed by Congress; and. second, to Sc
lect a candidate for the United States
Senate" In regard to the first object
cited we have nothing TO say az present,
except that the tariff bill that shall be
passed by Congress must conform to the
Chicago platform and the popular de-
mand of 1890 and 1892 to Sc
cure the approval of the Demo-
cratic party in West Virginia. In re-
gard TO a convention to nominate a
United States Senator, we are decidedly
opposed TO the proposition as coming too
late, many counties having already act
ed in the premises. II due notice had
been given some time ago, the PROPOSE
tion might have been entertained. 1t
is a bad policy to swap horses while
iording a stream. The rank and file Of
the Democratic party should keep
lee eve to the windward," when com
mittees suggest untimely changes in
established methods. This is our
opinion Of the matter from the present
point Of Yiew.-KanGIUhd TdJICy Dem
OcrGL
At meeting of the State Democratic
Executive Committee held at Camden
on-Gauley, 1t was suggested that a mass
convention ba held to nominate a candl-
date TOR U. S. Senator. 1t is desired TO
ascertain the sense OF the Democratic
voters on this question, why not submit
the names of candidates TO the people
al the polls and let them vote there for
those whom they wish the Legislature
TO choose for that position. The peo-
pie of late years are not very
favorably impressed with the fairness
OF conventions or their representative
character, and have come to re-
gard them as part Of the machinery
controlled by the "bosses" to stifle
rather than TO give expression to
the will OF the voters. There is
bad odor hanging around them, and this
is bad time for repeating the history
OF the past. More than ever before
SuOulu INC HtOpAC UG ui III Aut
lection OF men TO represent them in
either house Of Congress The battle is
now on between the people and organ
lied wealth in the form of trusts, coal
and iron combinations, railroads and
manufacturing monOpoies, and it be-
hoOVes them to put none but true men
on guard. Give the voters at the polls
an opportunity to say who they want
for L. 5. CiOrkSbllrg NClCs.
We don't see anything wrong with
having a State convention 10 formulate
a platform on which all Democrats can
stand, and also to nominate Demo-
cratic candidate for U. S. Sentor. It's
absolutely necessary that we should
know just what the people want and
should all pull together when we go into
the coming campaign. In order to do
this we know Of no better plan that
suggested by the Democratic executive
committee viz, to call convention Of
the representative men OF the
party who may decide these
matters in advance. BY do
ing this there will be good many ele-
ments OF dscord laid at rest, and all
may go to work heart and soul for the
benefit of the whole party. We have
seen il suggested that there Is no law or
authority for anything of the kind, and
that no one would be bound to abide by
its decision. We should think, how
ever, that the wishes of the majority OF
the party ought to be law enough, and
as for its decision being binding, we
have yet 10 learn that the decision OF
any convention is binding, any further
than a mans fealty To welfare of his
party, and his sense OF hOaor will carry
him. Let's have convention by all
means.-SL Mdry'S OrdctC.
The Democratic State Executive Com
mittee was In session last week at Cam
demon he-Gauley and about decided TO
call State convention for the purpose
of nominating a candidate for United
States Senator. The committee will
hold another meeting next week to
finally decide the matter. In the mean
time the committee desires to feel the
popular pulse and learn the will of the
people in the matter. We have no
hesitation in saying that we believe it
will meet with general favor and be
enthusiastically Endorsed by the Dem
ocracy of the State, as being In
line with good government and the pop
ular will of the people. The precedent
has been set by the Democracy Of Hi
noiS, and is a step towards electing
United States Senators by direct vote
OF the people, same as Congressman, as
should be done, and as will be done
sooner or later. Give the people 3
chance 10 settle this matter and the
Legislature an opportunity TO accom-
plish some much need legislation, with
out spending the whole term wrangling
over the election of Senator and then
going home with strong smell Of coal
oil on their coat tails. -- KinglDOOd
Argus.
A suggestion was made at the meet
inr of the State Executive Commute at
Camden-on. Gauley that State Conven-
tion be called for the purpose Of nomin-
ating a Democratic candidate for the
United States Senate and adopting
party platform. The question was dis
cussed but was Withdrawn before action
was taken. 1t is likely that the matter
will again be brought before the Com
mittee at its Charleston meeting
and IL so, we hope the suggestion
will be adopted. We notice that
in a number OF counties the people
are voting upon Senatorial candidates
aud that in nearly all OF them there is
: pronounced sentiment in favor OF sub
hitting 10 the people the choice OF
candidate. The Democracy of the State
of Illinois and some other States have
adopted this plan with most gratifying
results. 1t seems 10 US that In this
State ii would certainly relieve the
party Of dangerous local dissentiOus
and long aud unpleasant wrangling In
the legislature Weston World.
We heartily favor the proposed con-
vertion, prOridCd The delegates 70 70 arc
elected in The proper manner II the