The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-06-16

was formerly the captain OF tho
guard at tho penitentiary, whilo
entoring no specific denials Of tho
charges, Ia moritoriously decent in his
choice OF language and does not seom
to dGny tho right OF u public journal to
criticize the conduct Of II public iustitu.
ton. Ito attempts, however, 10 vindi-
cato Superintendent Van Pclt's admin
istration. Since Captain Van buren,
has ''rushod into print" it Ia not out OF
place 10 refer to n circumstance in re.
gard 10 his connection with tho
prison. which may porhups serve TO
strengthen the demand Tor n legislative
inquiry into tho managenonL | have
1t on the very beat Of authority mot on
''the word OF IN eI.convict"O that Mt.
Van Buren, was himself n candidate for
superintendent against Mr.. Van Pelt.
A compromise was fixed on, however.
Van PG!t was tIAdc tho prison WARDEN
and Van Buren, was given the cap
taincy Of tho guard. The salary Of the
captain Has 500 poT month, but
to make it worth Mr.. Van Buren's
while TO accept the compromise the
pay was increased to SIS per month,
and it remained at that figure during
his stay OF nine OF ten months. When
Van Buren, resigned, l am informed.
superintendent Van pelt recommended
that tho salary be reduced to the for
mel figure, 500, which sum tho captain
oil the guard il now receiving. This
temporary lacrosse ior the benefit OF 4
nan who had q political pull was good
compensation for tho newspaper de-
fcnsc which be now makes Of tho super
intendent. There are other facts in
this connection which may come out on
an investigation. The same authority,
who is not IN ~GS-convict, but who is in
Il position 70 know, corroboratcs tho
stories that have been published in tho
lSrEILIGESCcI, and is willing to give his
evidence before an official body.
A private letter from Webster, Taylor
county, gives m interesting story OF the
postotiicc change in that village, which
is not much TO the credit OF Congress-
man William l. Wilson and the con
t~rollers OF federal patronage in that Sec
ton OF the district. l give the story in
the language OF the correspondent, q
lady who has interested herself in the
casa from charitable motives. She says:
Some yeas ago Nj. Joe o. Irupicr, a resident
OF Wheeling. died, leaving a wife ind two small
boys, tho youngest q babe Of six, and his widow
aud orphan babes returned - this. her child
hood homo bringing his remains for burial.
From that time her HE was one long hard
struggle with poverty. Untl the beginning OF
tho Harrison administration. when she received
the appointment OF pOst'nis1rrss ut Webster.
Although tho remuneration was small. Mr.
Hunter, by her careful and economical habits.
was able 10 Keep herself and children In conf
paratIvt comfort. winning the esteem of all By
hGr lAlyltEe department, and was the most
efficient postmaster We ever bad. MH. Hunters
i9T1ily vas Republican, but her husband wG.G
Democrat
Attnc beginning Of the Cleveland adminI,tn-
ton Giew Of the lesser lights, Of the Democrs-
Cy desired the appointment OF Il maiden lady OF
this pllce. Miss Darne:tc. who for thIrIetn years
has taught III the public schools OF this place,
and who bud q home md no one to Erep
but herself. The Democratic friends OF Mrs.
Hunter iOr fear she laiSbt be removed, began TO
mako every effort In her bciiult. They got up u
petition which YVES signed b. psrt OF the Demo
cratic executive committee. 1nd By 3 majority
all OF them prominent men. Letter after letter
was written 10 Mr.. Wilson explaining the Situa-
ton and interccdIng In Mrs. Hunters bchGli,
even persons living in adjoining counties feel
AIN AlAANlN1ANNA ia Y ONAlAl hOIlh WIN
bad never asked II favor for themselves, only
this, that.H Hunter be retained. 1t was urged
upon him no: 70 make this u question OF poll
tiGs, but OF charity and humanity"
II WIS a we'll known fact that Colonel John r.
NCGraw stood in favor with Mr. Wilson. md
that whoever no would recommend AR. Wilson
would appoint. NJ. McGrnw was interviewed
time and again and matters explained. lie
promised 10 use every cIlort for her retention.
but the willy colonel has political aspirations OF
his own. anil took every precau:ton not 10 do
anything 10 iniure himsel! with the people.
And. owing partly TO this and partly 10 Mr..
Wilson'S ambitions TO succeed himself IN Con.
greG, Immediately upon Mr.. Wilson's return
Mrs. Hunter wAs removed aud 0glin thrown
upon the cold charities OF the world. 1t would
llQve been a very small thing for either Of them
10 have asked that she be retained. and would
have marked them as true gentlemen. showing
tho Christian spirit TO do un;o Others rs you
would have them do unto you" This 4 only u
little village office. and n MINORITY Of the Demo
Gratis waited Mrs, Hunter TO be retained. some
OF whom will now light. Mr.. Wilson might md
main In the coming contest. Rn6 should Colonel
NcGraw ever be before the people for their
suffrage they will remember him.
Comment on this letter would Seem
unnecessary. Whom tho Democratic
Tpoll5meu have their own interests at
heart civil service reform is 4 dead let
ter. humanity takes Il tumble" and
widows and orphans, even those OF Dem
ocrats, must get out Of the way.