Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-11-01

United States District Attorney G. c..
Watts. of Kanawha county, is attends
ing the meeting Of the State Bar Asso-
citation. General Watts duties require
him to visit nearly every section Of the
State, and as he is a close observer, and
always conservative, his views on the
politics of this State and Ohio will he
read with interest. A Register report
er interviewed him last night at his
room in the Hotel Windsor.
What is your opinion of the result
Of the next general election in this
State?" he was asked.
West Virginia is normally Demo-
cratic by from 1000 to 1000" he re-
piled. THE conditions were never
more unfayorable to Democratic sue
cess than at the last election, but the
recalcitrants are falling into line again,
and the return of prosperity has brought
with it more confidence on the part of
the entire people. If the Democrats
will nominate a ticket which will rep
resent the party, and not factional in
terests, there is no doubt in my mind
that IL will be elected. The Democratic
majority in the State has dwindled
from 1900 in 1880, until now it has
almost entirely disappeared. While it
is true that the development Of the
State, and the immigration from other
sections. may have had something to
do with this result. to my mind one OF
the most potent factors has been the
mcomprOmising hostility among the
numerous factions in the party. The
conditions just now are very encourage
ing. and if the party leaders will guard
against the blunders which have cost
many votes in the past, the entire ticket
viii triumph at the polls.
who, in your opinion, would be the
most available candidate for the Guber>
Material nomination?
81 have no candidate. The only man
from my district who has been mem
toned in connection with the nOmina-
ton is John d. Anderson, and l do not
know whether he would be a candidate.
but he would be q splendid man, and
would make an excellent Governor.
judge Bennett would be another splen-
did selection. He is brOad-minded, ca
Dable. and is not attached to any FAC
ton. Forrest w. Brown is a cultured
gentleman. thoroughly practical, and
certainly stands we'll at his own home,
where he has been Prosecuting Attor-
nev for twelve years l have heard eX-
CONGRESSMAN PendletOn's name men
toned also. PendletOn is we'll thought
Of in the lower end of the State. he
made two speeches in the Third dis
trict. andOneat Huntington which made
him many friends. Any one OF the gem
tIemen whom 1 have named would
make q good candidate. and there is an
abundance of material from which to
make a selection. With Democratic
prospects growing brighter every day
IL is likely that there will be a lively
scramble for places on the State ticket
as the time for holding the convention
approaches
"What do you think of the Demo-
cratic prospects in OhiO|'
81 have been watching the fight over
canot help admiring Campbell for the
manly and vigorous manner in when
he has been conducting his campaign,
In diagnosing the situation in OHIO so
many things must be considered that /
will not be surprised at any result. The
State is normally Republican, and the
Republican leaders are not claiming
more than 10000 to 10000 majority.
There are many conditions which would
seem TO point to the election of Camp
hell and while am not sufficiently IA
miHar with the situation to predict such
q result. il would not surprise ME In the
least.
TO begin with, the independent voter
is more numerous to-day than ever be-
fore. and if Campbell can draw suili-
cient strength from this and the float
inc element. he will be elected. The
Democrats are in line again, there are
no serious fractional differences, and ]
think it is entirely fair to assume that
the normal Democratic vote viii be
nolIed next Tuesday. The Republic
cans ON the other hand, are not taking
as much interest i'm the result, ana many
of them will remain away from the
,o1Is among other reasons because OF
The bitter factional fights which have
divided the party. But as to the indie
rendent and floating vote. it looks like
The bulk of it should go with the Demo
Gratis. They see a return Of prosperity,
and YOU will find many Republicans
Who want no more tariff legislation.
There are many voters whose maxim
is Let good enough alone, % and az
there is a good feeling among business
and laboring men. as well as among
the farmers. the Democrats are count
ING on gains from the ranks Of the in
dependent voters.
IF Campbell is elected he will be one
If the leading candidates for the Demo-
cratic nomination for the Presidency.
This fact will cause many personal Re-
nublican friends and others to vote for
him. from the motive of State pride.
The publication of extracts from John
Sbermans book Will certainly cause
some discussions in the party, and fur
+ber losses will result from the McKin-
lev-Foraker facuonal differences. On
the whole. the Democratic prospects
look very encouraging.
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