The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-01-24
HON. G. W. ATKINSON


Expresses Himself Regarding the Pro-
posed Biending Of Convcntions-Op-
posed TO Chairman pawson's sugRes-
tfons-Iffs Reasons.
An Intelligencer representative called
on Hon. G. W. Atkinson. secretary of
the Republican state executive COM
mIttee. and requested his views on the
subject suggested by Chairman Daw-
son as to- the propritey of holding but
two state conventions this year. Mr..
Atkinson said:
81 have read what Mr,Dawson and
Mr.. Cowden, the former chairman OF
the committee. have said upon this
subject, and have given the matter
some attention. The proposition was
presented to me some weeks ago by
Hon. G. F. Evans, OF Berkeley county.
He favored the two convention idea;
and l have since heard others urging
the same proposition. Their arguments
are plausible, and there is much In
what they say. Mr.. Cowden makes
two strong points In his card, viz: That
the nominating convention appoints
the state committee, and change
committee in the midst OF campaign
which might prove disastrous; and, Sec
ond, the great saving In time and e&.
pense to the delegates who will attend
the convention. But while all this ID
true and is worthy OF consideration,
still, l am Inclined To believe that II
would be mistake to blend the two
conventions for two reasons: First,
our people have been educated, for
years, 10 holding Q convention for the
appointment OF delegates TO the M
tional convention, some time In May,
and in July or August another for the
nomination OF q state ticket; and, Sec
ond, while this is true the chances are
to merge them might bring about as
content and scisms that ought 10 De
avoided this year above all others LOT
the reason that the ticket nominated
by the Republicans will be elected II
there Is perfect harmony In the pre-
sentation OF the ticket. Consequently
on the whole, am disposed TO believe
that II will be the part OF wisdom to ad-
here to the old plan and hold two con-
ventlons. am for harmony with big
ii, and will be found doing my part to
keep our forces In line. This Is our
gear to redeem West Virginia, and ]
am going to take hand In the contest
whether am on or OF the ticket. The
man who turns up as disturber In our
party ranks this year in West Virginia
will be crushed rs he ought TO be. Let
US, therefore, stand by the old methods.
so that no one can have cause 10 croaK'
md we will plant the Republican nag
on the state house at Charleston as
sure as November will come.
'Tf 1t Is believed advisable 10 only
hold two conventions instead OF three.
continued Mr.. Atkinson, why not have
the state committee call n convention
TO meet ut the same time and place
that the State Club League will be held
and appoint the four delegates at large
TO the national convention at that time?
No one can object to that. The State
League will meet the latter part OF
March or the first week in April. and
this would not be too early to appoint
delegates to the st. Louis convention.
This would prevent the necessity OF
holding the delegate convention In May,
and would save 70 our people the time
and expense OF attending this eonven-
ton.
'Hon. J. C. Brady suggested this plan
10 me a few days ago, and II impressed
me more favorably than the plan OF
merging the delegate and nominating
conventions. But find our friends
anxious 10 get chance to attend any
and all conventions which may be
called. They are more enthusiastic and
determined than ever knew them to
be since I have been taking a hand In
West Virginia politics, and that, you
know. has been long time. They are
chatting to- get a whack at our friends,
the enemy, II we hold dozen state
conventions this year. they will ali be
well attended by our people. Whatever
course our committee adopts, / will be
satisfied"