Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-09-24

Special to the Register.
Friendly, W. Va. September 2S.-The
ioca! political situation was decidedly
warm in this town, tonight, and the
excessive heat was entirely due to the
lack Of courtesy and evident disposition
to stir up trouble or the part of one Of
the Republican speakers of the evening.
Indeed had 1t not been for the forbear-
ance and good sense Of the Democratic
leaders, under severe provocatiOn, there
would have been a row OF big proper
tons. The entire affair was one Wei
calculated to Illustrate Republican in
Tolerance Of Democracy or the cause of
the people.
The Republicans had arranged to have
Hon. A. L. Campbell, Of Wheeling, and
o. w. o. Hardman present as speakers,
and knowing that the Democracy was
not prepared they issued a challenge for
a joint debate. The Democracy accept
ed, and te,ephoned 10 Wheeling for a
speaker to meet the Republican orators.
Word did not reach Wheeling until
three o'clock in the afternoon, and the
only available man was NJ. F. Dryden,
and ne had an engagement to speak in
the evening. Mr.. Dryden hastily secur-
ed a substitute 10 fl MS Wheeling en-
gagement and jumped on the four
O'Clock train. Meanwhile Hon. Oliver
Carroll had also been secured by the
Local Democracy, and they stood ready
TO accept the Republican challenge.
The meeting was held at ThOrn's hall,
and fully FIVE hundred voters were pres
ent. 1t was agreed between the chair
men of the rival parties that there
should be 2 discussion between Messrs.
Dryden and Campbell, and they went at
it, Mr.. Dryden having the opening and
close of the argument. Mr.. Dryden
spoke for fOrty-five minutes, making a
splendid address. and was followed by
Mr.. Campbell, who spoke for an hour,
Mr.. Dryden closing in fifteen minutes.
This debate was devoid Of
ANY SPECIAL EXCITEMENT,
although Mr.. Dryden clearly had the
best OF the argument. This being ap-
parent to the Republican managers,
they proposed another discussion be-
tween Mr.. Carroll and Mr.. Hartman,
and it was assented 10. Mr.. Hardman
securing the opening and close OF the ar
gument.
With Mr. Hardman's opening all trace
Of good telling vanished. and many were
apDrehens;ve of serious trouble. He
was intrc<uced by 4. T. Smith, Of the
Republican cub. and started out by pro-
claiming that Mr.. Dryden was a liar,
and that all Democrats were anarchists.
This naturally provoked q protest from
the Democrats present. and this having
no effect there was a chorus Of derisive
shouts directed against the speaker, as
he showed no disposition TO apologize.
As ne attempted to proceed there were
cries of "Ratsr' shut up!' etc. This
fingered Mr.. Hardman, and he dramat-
ically shed his coat and vest, and finally
his collar. One old farmer in the audi
ence attempted TO enter protest, ana
was denounced as a liar and an anarcA-
ist. This brought Democrats to their
feet in earnest in all parts Of the house,
and trouble was only averted by the
Democratic chairman cOunsciirg Ills
party friends to so home, and adjourn
ing the meeting so far as Democrats
were concerned. without giving Mr.
Carroll a chance to be heard at all
Many Republicans denounce the
stand taken by Mr. Hardman and some
of the Republican managers, and the
net effect will be advantageous to De-
mCcracy in this vicinity.