Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-07-23
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
Parkersburg, w. Va, July 22.-The
largest State Convention either politi-
cal party ever held in this State began
here at II o'clock this morning. Hon.
w. M. o. Dawson, chairman OF the
State Committee, called the assemblage
to order and introduced Rev. DR.. Ru-
more, who made the opening prayer.
Hon. S. B. Elkins was announced as
temporary chairman, and Hon. A. B.
White, Senator Stewart F. Reed, T. w.
| B. Duckwall Chris Payne and J. J. Pc
terson temporary secretaries. Senator
Elkins received a perfect ovation, last
ing several minutes upon taking the
chair. He spoke for about an hour,
sounding the keynote to West Virgin
las campaign and was repeatedly greet
ed with vOciferous applause. Upon the
close of his address, the usual commit
tees were appointed and the conven-
| l4Ou dOJOul lGA ulltil % " OAONh.
During the session there was scarcely
standing room in the great wigwam,
and the Senator'S speech received the
close and earnest attention of the vast
crowd.
- Senator Elkins said in opening: "The
present is the mos. important presiden-
tial campaign since 1860. The country
is approaching a crisis If the steps
taken at Chicago are successful, it will
require only one more in the same di-
direction to bring the country into
state of revolution. The issues raised
are serious and momenLous; they not
! only involve the question of right finan-
cial and economic policies, but the ma
tional credit, the national honor and
the good name and safety of the great
Republic"
He then compared the platforms
adopted at ST. Louis and Chicago, 60
ing closely into details with regard TO
the latter and particularly assaii:ng
the free coinage plank, and the plank
concerning the protective tariff. He
! also condemns he proposed enlarge
ment OF government control of the rail-
roads and telegraphs, because of the
great increase in federal Offices, and the
creating of power for one party TO main
tain its If in power. The action of the
Chicago convention, he says, Geprecat-
ingly, means the beginning of the de-
cay and Reimbursement OF tne old
Democratic party which so long stood
for liberty, freedom and sound money.
L than CnDtn1 Of n
| lands phrases uttered in 1892, holding
them largely responsible for the nature
OF the platform adopted at Chicago. Mr..
Cleveland had spoken of the rich
growing richer, and the poor, poorer"
"the gulf between employer and en-
ploye is constantly widening, and
classes are rapidly forming" the ra-
pacity of greed and avarice;" the
grasping and needless exactions of en-
ployers;" Oppressed poverty and toll
eXasperated by injustice and discon-
tent" scenes that wreck the hopes of
toll these aad similar expressions
from one in authority breed the dis
content that now manifests itself. He
however gave the President credit with
efforts to break the free coinage move
ment, and to maintain the gold stand
ard.
Mr.. Elkins declared that there IS but
one all-important issue in the cam
paign, and that is whether protection
and reciprocity shall be restored as the
| policy of the government. Upon this,
he said depends the prosperity of the
cdIntry, and with that once restored,
the question of the free coinage of sill
yer will fall to the background and soon
cease to be heard of. Trade and en-
ployment existed before money, and
money only facilitates but does not ere
ate or foster either. 1t is the climate,
soil and material resources of a coun-
try that make it rich, and not its stock
nor its kind of money. Hence, the
most important matter is to so adopt its
Industrial policy that it shall promote
progress, trade and industry. Stats
tics were then quo,ed at great length
TO prove that under a protective tariff
policy of thirty years, the country
! reached in 1892, its greatest degree of
prosperity and material wealth, and
that the changing OF chat policy is re-
sponsible for any lessening of those
benefits which may have come about.
As to the Mckinley tariff, ne admits
that it had faults, but asserts that no
laws can be perfect, because they are
| all the result of compromise between
opposing ideas of policy. Several
pages of statistics are then INTRODUCED
to show the effects of the Wilson tariff,
especially upon the natural and manu-
featured products of West Virginia.
The financial question and the presen-
! tation Of figures to show that the Re-
publicans will carry West Virginia,
occupies the remainder of the address.
The convention was not called 10 or
der until 4 p. m, as severe wind and
rain storm visited this city, and the big
paper covered wigwam commenced
leaking in many places. and those pres
ent were thoroughly drenched
L. NJ. Wade presided in the absence
of Senator Elkins. The Committee on
Permanent Organization reported as
chairman. John H. Holt, oE Grafton; II.
/ F. Tully. of Wood, secretary; Chris.
Pavne. of Fayette assistant, and Geo.
Poffenbergsr, of Mason, reading clerk.
A committee to escort the chairman
TO the platform composed OF George j.
Walker, o. Jackson; n. J. For;ney, OF
Preston. and W. T. Burnside, of Upshur,
were selected. and George ]. Walker
was chosen to present Holt 10 the con-
vention.
| The resolutions adopted endorsed the
ST. Louis platform and pledge McKin-
lev and Hobart the party's earnest sup
mort. They condemned the Chicago
/ pIatform and commended the acts of