Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-09-14
Special to the Register.


Ashland, Ky, September 19,-Those
Republican campaign managers VINO are
counting upon The appearance OF The
third or sound money Democratic
ticket to safely land the Sac OF Ken
lucky in The Republican column at the
coming election, are counting without
their most. Tney are failing 20 appIe-
ciate the effect tlat the record OF Gen
eral Palmer, whose actions IS PROVISION
al Governor o, KenUcky Immediately
following the close OF the war, and later
while still commander of the Military
Departm5 Mt of kentucky, We're most OBJ
noXious TO many who are now counted
upon as his loyal supporters, is certain
TO have throughout the entire STATE, and
particularly the eastern and southern
portion.
General Palmer, with his regiment OF
Illinois soldiers, was stationed for
nearly a year in the Big Sandy valley,
and for several months held forth mid
way between here and CaJl5ttsburg. His
presence was Immediately following the
departure of Col. Garfield for the South,
and the actions of his soldiers was in
marked contrast TO the conduc, of the
command of the gallant young Colonel,
later the martyred President. II IS a
matter Of pleasing history with the resi-
dents of the valley over which territory
both men worked that Garfield made il
a standing rule and always lived up 10
it, TO maka good any claim furnished
So. r,f.f-
confscated by the s0ldiery.
When he found the drain was too
heavy he publicly gave the command
that no further f0raging was TO be per-
miJ,ed and the trouble ended from that
day With the Illinois command the
conditions were directly opposite. Moth
ing that could be carried off was al
lowed TO escape them, and there was
never q restraining order given even by
pre,enSe. There are old residents and
reputable citizens of Ca;lettsburg to-day
who will tell Of the robberies of chicken
yards at the point of bayone,s. Milk
houses and cellars were never safe from
intrusion and whatever the people mad
was always open to the plundsring
methods OF the visiting soldiers. Com
p,aint to General Palmer brought no
relief.
But the crowning event of his Ken
lucky authority came while he held the
position of Provisional Governor of the
Safe following Inc death Of Gov
ernOr Thomas E. Brsmlette, in
May Of 1866, when the
same tactics, yet a Jrife more pronounc-
ed, as had bean exercised at the election
Of the previous year We're brought into
disgraceful play. It was while com
mander of the Military Department of
Kentucky that General Palmer first came
into disfavCr in 1860. This was through
the issuance Of General Order No. 81"
by which any one who had ever fed a
hungry rebel soldier or provided him
with clothing regardless of his condi-
ton. was not 10 be permitted to vo,e,
to be around the polls, or have any
communication with any voter.
Under the provisions of this order the
polls throughout the State were guarded
by soldiers. and the election was carried
on wantonly. and he unnecessarily hui
inflated the people in the opening days
of a new and lasting union. Scores of
men could be named in The Big Sandy
Valley Who will be influenced against
tfe new ticket for no other reason. and
throughout the State the feeling will
prove to be more than idle discussion
as results will show in Move mber