The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-10

sreclal Dispatch TO tho lntelliSencer,
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 9,-Thcre
Is an entertaining bit of gossip afoat
among West Virginia Democrats about
the distribution OF patronage under the
"spolls" system, Tho grievance has
been nurscd in silence for many moons,
but recently one of the faithful gave 1t
away, in confidence. He said he would
really like TO know why his section was
so neglected. and being a Second dis
triet voter he appealed to Mr.. Wilson
for an explanation. He was referred
10 the civil service law, and was in
formed that under the operation OF
that measure, Democratic representa-
tIvee were wholly unable to obtain
places, however pleasant It would be to
respond to the wishes OF the valued
constituency He was further told that
nIne.tcnths of the department cm-
plcyes are Republicans, very much to
ihc regret OF hte Democratic congress-
men, who would make n change II they
could.
This has given your correspondent
leave 10 investigate, which he has done,
by aid OF the government blue book,
which Is a useful textbook and quite
reliable. 1t is ascertaIned that in the
twelve years he has been in Congress,
Mr.. Wilson has succeeded IN placing
By one means or another, seventy-seven
Democrats in positions of more or lesa
Importance. 1t is also learned that
there are but thirty-siX Second dis
trlct Republican voters in office In
Washington. and that an equal num-
ber OF ladies added to the seventy-slx
stalwarts. make an aggregate OF li9
persons who are In the departments ac-
credited to Mr.. Wilson's district.
THE INTERESTING POINT.
That is not the most interesting
phase of the situation. however. 1t
Is very apparent upon the face of the
records that Mr.. Wilson has had but
little regard for any other section than
his own, Jeferdon county. SiXty.tour
Of the l49 appointed. hail from that
county. while Berkeley, Senator Fnulk-
ner's county, has twenty-nine. n total
OF ninety-thrOe. Tho apportlonment to
the remainder OF the district IL as fol-
II =
Barbour 3; Pendleton 1; Mineral z; Ran
dolph 4; Hardy 1; Hampshire 2; Monon-
gala 6; Marion 4. and those whose resi-
dence Is not yet ascertalned, IL. In the
light OF the foregoing statement, It will
not be surprising to learn that the ttf-
teen have legal domicile in Jefferson,
also.
A large number OF the highest salnr-
Tod plnCos are hold down by Democrats
from Jefferson county, and ot'the nine
teen West Virginians employed In the
postoffice department, oil Second dis
trict people, eleven arc from Mr. VIII
sons own county. This is u much bet
ter explanation OF the absence Of pat
ronage for the balance Of the district
than that given by Mr., Wilson to the
patriot whose Bkeptlcibm provoked this
investigation.
II should be borne in mind also. that
all OF the positions held by Republicans
were procured through competitive
examination the civil service way. Ev-
cry blessed ono Of 'etn who held by any
other tenure was bounced early In tho
present administration for the benefit,
principally. OF Jefferson county.
AN ASTOUNDING FACT.
Another prominent feature develop
Cd BY this investigation OF mine Is that
there were more appointments given to
JcHerson county during Mr.. Wilson'S
iacumbcncy OF the Congressional posi-
t!on, than were awarded, all told. TO
cithOr the First, Third or Fourth dis
trIct. This Is proved by the following
totals. Jefferson county. 6i; First dis
trirt. 81. Third district 43: Fourth dis
irict, 30.
How very fortunate thing for jeff
erson county 1t is that there IL II civil
Ecrvics law In operation!
II will be observed there nrc 2S5 West
virRlnianB In office in Washington. The
majority OF those are Democrats, and,
in the very nature Of things, the Big
gest shlnrleD fall to the Democratic al
i9tment,
The other district representations
Will bc given brief analysis In n subse-
qusnt iBsue of the Intelligcncer Tho
purpose OF the exposition is to meet
the 1it ltcratcd charge that the WnBh-
inrt1n colony OF West VlrginIans In
mndr up almost exclusively OF Rcpub-
lranR, who have been mngnnnlmouSly
Permitted 10 remain In Office by Il Dom
onrntic hdninIstrntlon. The Rcpubli'
cars undiaturbcd nrc efficient clerks
who arc retained under the prOvlBlOn5
pt law which the administration dare
not openly rupudlntc. Such Of them,
rynn In tho classified llct uRnlnst whom
the charge Of offensive pnrtlannship
rJul1 be- maintained. md IN no case was
There much evidence required, have
lwen made 10 walk the plank, and thn
nrIrr of their going wn5 not lult 10