Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-16
WILSON'S DISTRICT
The Situation as It Appears Through
Democratic Eyes.
NOT PUTTING OUT ANY FIGURES
Danger to the Democracy in the
Coal Region.
WITH THE CAMPAIGN ERS


political situation in Congressman William
L. Wilson's district from the democratic
point of view. The hectic flush of hope
upon the democratic cheek will be por-
trayed, the aims and aspirations of the
party managers outlined their fears re-
vealed and an effort will be made to explain
to the readers of The Star just how the
campaign managers feel about the outcome
of the November election. The republican
outlook will form the basis of another chap
ter.
1t has been the purpose of the writer to
endeavor to obtain a correct idea of the
situation, not by interviews with the lead
ers for publication" such are innocently
given for the good of the cause, when over
sanguine views are expressed to the press
by politicians, who put on rOse-colOred
glasses for the occasion, but through plain,
matter-of-fact talks with well-p0sted men,
who consented for the time to lay aside dis
stimulation and speak frankly. EX-Gov.
Fleming. Ser ator Camden, State Chairman
McGraw and the many local managers are
the sources of the information upon which
the writer bases his statements, all of these
gentlemen being at present engaged in
furthering tine interests of Congressman
Wilson in the campaign. and working in
this portion of the district.
To Let No Man Escape.
No better summary of the situation could
be found than the statement of one of these
men, who said: I'VE are working on the
supposition that we cannot afford to lose one
vote. We are claiming nothing except that
Mr.. Wilson will be reelected. consequently,
we refrain from venturing prophecies as to
na1oritieS. The idea that every vote Will
be needed and that they cannot afford to
let single man get away is being thorough
ly impressed upon the boys. and spirit of
determination on their part is the fruit of ii.
Everywhere among the active workers in
the campaign is evidenced the feeling that
they have hard fight before them, and
that they must be up and doing in order to
win it.
The principal object of the campaigners
now is to try to instill some of this spirit
into the masses of the democracy, and that
is just where the trouble Is coming in That
state of being most dreaded by the poll
tician. apathy. exists to marked degree
In this district, and is n source of worry to
the managers. 1t would be too difficult to
attempt to analyze the cause of the apathy
existing among the voters, but ii would be
apparent to even the most superficial OBJ
server that IL does exist. 1t is said to be a
hard n after to get the people out, TO induce
them TO attend the meetings, although when
they do come they can be warmed into en-
thusasm The power of that same mag
netic oratory which tn ciiled gallery full au-
diences in the House of Representatives and
held by its charm the attention of solid
still potent and works its spell upon crude
assembages as well as cultured.
Mr.. Wilson'S Personal Popularity.
1t seems to be apparent from the. tone of
the people that the personal popularity of
Mr.. Wilson will atone for multitude #
faults in the democratic administration.
There is no gainsaying the fact that he Is
beloved by his people with affection passing
the admirG ton of a constituency proud Of
Iaf haIio hat
these plain country people although remote
from the centers of business and political
affairs, are unaware of his record in recent
events Somehow the knowledge of il has
percolated all these mountain hamlets, as
well as railroad towns, and If the common
people do not understand all the phases of
the case they have an intuition of the
truth that he has stood their fair champion
OF the cause for which they sent him to
Congress six terms. Today he met a gath
ering of 800 or 900 men, the majority of
them from the surrounding country pre-
cincts and the great shout of welcome that
went up when he faced his audience had
affection and loyalty in every note To-
night the local managers raising their
estimates of democratic majority upon
Sthe strength Of the turnout.
Something About the District.
Mr.. Wilson'S district is an immense one
in point of area and contains fifteen large
counties. 1t extends from the neighborhood
OF Harper's Ferry along the entire north
ern end Of the state, sweeping northwest
ward and pushing close to the Ohio river
The shape of the district is liable TO arouse
the suspicion that it has been gerryman-
dered; in fact, that idea naturally suggests
itself. The elements of population are as
varied as the natural scenery of the differ
ent counties The farmers are in the ma
jOrity; but there are 1900 voters in the
mining region, 800 in the lumber section
and "a considerable number representing
men employed in the oil region and In vari-
Gus Industrial pursuits. He has several
large towns in his district and the whole
section Is thriving, busy and wide awake-a
country whose industries are growing and
expanding In every direction. Thus he has
all sorts and conditions of men to whom to
administer his democratic doctrines. There
is element inherent in the population
which furnishes constant spawning
ground Tor democracy, consisting of the old
rock-ribbed democrats of the Virginia com
monwealth stock, who derived their de-
mocracy from the Jeffersonian source direct
and have infused ii into each succeeding
generation. On the other hand there is a
constantly increasing Offset to this element
to be found in the new population, which Is
pouring in from Pennsylvania to develop
the industries of the state. This is especial
ly noticeable in the oil belt. The majority
OF these people are republicans and come
with their own ideas deeply rooted. In Mari
on county 1t is said these newcomers have
leavened the old loaf in a lively manner-so
much So In fact, that the democrats will be
glad to come out even on the vote in this
county.
How the Campaign is Wa2cd.
With such composite population II is
easy to see that there are great possibilities
for overturning ma jorities and changing the
political complexion of Counties and towns
The campaign. therefore. is being conducted
In manner to suit the circumstances of
the case. The fight Is made on the tariff
on finances, the income tax, the general
record Of the PARTY, or on whatever line
may seem best suited for The particular
locality and the interests involved. The
democrats control a staff of able orators.
and are making spellbinding a signal feat
ire Of their campaign. No complaint is
made CT scarcity of funds, and it is thought
that liberal financial aid is being rendered
Senator Faulkner is making strenuous eff
forts to give Mr.. Wilson a good majority