Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-09-29
The Most Notable Contest for a Seat
in Congress in the Country.


from 10 to 1900; and at every general
election and in every case in which
comparison of votes has been possible
the popular Congressman has been far
ahead of his ticket. In 1888 the Dem
ocratic State and Presidential tickets
had pluralities of less than 100 i'll the
Second district Wilson's plurality
over his Republican opponent, after a
campaign in which every device
known that unlimited money could
command had been used against him
was nearly 500.
The elements of the Congressman S
popularity are many. He is Chris
tan gentleman from the top of his
head to the soles of his feet, and every
voter in the Second district has long
since come to realize that fact. As
an orator and stumper, he is without
an equal IN State of orators, and as
1 leader no other man within the
States borders has shown like power
to enthuse his followers and disarm
his enemies. The pride which West
Virginians naturally feel in this record
adds not little to hold on the popular
aeections-a hold which has never
been appreciably shaken.
If any other man than William l..
Wilson were the Democratic candidate
the Democrats ofWest Virginia would
concede the district as lost. They
have, however, an abiding faith in
the Wilson star, and will not give up
fighting until tie last vote is cast on
election day. The two elements
which most endanger Democratic sue
cess in the district are the dissatislac-
ton of the Monong;.hela valley coal
operators at Mr.. Wilson's decided
stand in favor of free COAL and the
free wool clause of tn. Tariff bill.
In Marion. Monongalia, Tucker
and Randolph counties, over 5000 men
are employed in the coal business, the
large majority of whom have constantly
voted the Democratic ticket. Strenu-
Gus efforts have been made to prejudice
the. e II en- on the free coal issue, but
I
Wilson and his friends confidently be-
:.eve that it will not injufe him.
Practically the same battle was fought
two years ago, when even organizers
of the United Mine Workers were sub
sitlized by the Republican committee,
but they failed TO shake the confidence
of he miners in their representative
Wilson's advocacy Of free wool has
been too open for years for it to hurt
him now. though it cannot be denied
that a number of Democratic wool
growers will not vote for him. These
men, however, scratched Wilson in
'S8, 90 and "a. and other disaffection
now will not be noticed.
A. G. Dayton, the Republican nom
inee against Mr.. Wilson, is brilliant
young lawyer and a popular politician
He is, however, handicapped by the
fact that he has been a leader OF the
anti-Elkins wing of the Republican
party, and his nomination has been
received very coldly by both Eikins
and ex-Internal Revenue Commission
er Mason. However, the Republican
Committee has already given Dayton
assurances Of strong support ,andsuch
men as Governor Mckinley Reed, and
Burrows are booked for speeches in
the district. Wilson, on the other
hand, will have the help of Bourke
Cochran, Speaker Crisp. Mcmillan, Of
! Tennessee and host of lesser lights
That money will be an important fac
tor in the campaign there is no ques-
ton; but the Australian ballot law will
seriously hamper any attempt at open
bribery.
In the matter of organization, the
advantage is decidedly with Wilson,
as in no part of the State is the Demo,
cratic working machinery in such
good order as in the Second district,
while his campaign. in the hands OF
ex- Internal Revenue Collector Nc
Graw, will be brilliantly managed All
in all, the chances appearto be in favor
Of the return of the Congressman, but
the battle viii be hot and hard fought
at every point.
| The Second district is composed OF
the counties of Barbour, Berkeley,
Grant, Hampshire, Hardy. Jefferson,
Marion, Mineral, Monongalia, Nor
gan. Pendleton, Preston, Randolph,
Taylor, Tucker. The vote in 1892
was as follows:
W. l.. Wilson Dem al 1907
/ j. N. Wisner (Rep.) .7o.756
DE-. Gibson pro gao
n. w. Fitzgerald (Pop.). 6Iz
Wilson'S plurality. :. T.o5f
Ex-senator C. H Scott. Of Randolph
County who is assisting in the man
agment of the Wilson campaign, says
81 never saw the Democracy so we'll
organized. nor so well equipped for
the coming political battle. Every
Democrat in the district seems to feel
himself committee Of one to do all
in his power to help along the candi-
daey of the tariff reform leader The
rank and file Of the party are thor
oughly aroused, and understand the
importance to the country of return