Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-02-27
CHANGES IN HARRISON.

The Republican Ring and the Disgust of
the Better Element with Its Methods
Opens the Way for Democratic Success.
To the Editor of the Register.
Clarksburg, w. Va. February 26.-
Strictly speaking, Ht.- rison county is
Democratic, and she only went into
the Republican column a few years
ago owing TO the internal discussions
and chickering's of the Democrats among
themselves. The Court House ring
clique had taken upon itself to dictate
nominations and still retain in office
men who had held their places for a
quarter of a century, and they arose in
their sovereign majesty, rebelled and
rebuked the bosses The policy Of
rule or ruin" was still pursued and
the result was the Reorganization OF
the party, and the turning over OF the
county to the enemy, who only hold it
because of the contentious among the
rank and file of the Democratic party.
Now that the Republican party has been
in power for nearly eight years, they
assert boldly that the change is perma-
Republican, and that it has come to
stay. AS a matter of course, few
Republicans are determined TO dictate
nominations, and it is not eXaggeratiOn
to say that there is a more formidable
Court House ring than ever before, and
that the sQuabble for the petty Offices
this year will be Unequalled in the his
tory of lcSql politics. There are as
many as a half dozen candidates for
each Office and each pushing his claims,
sometimes using the most questionable
methods and all on the theory that "a
nomination is equivalent TO an cleo
ton" But to an outsider, and to those
who are acquainted with the facts, it
is very apparent that there is an in
dependent effort among the better class
Of Republicans 10 see that represen-
tative men are placed on the ticket: and
they are of the kind that if the bosses
succeed in putting ticket in the field
by intrigue and chicanery they will not
support such ticket. It is not certain
that they will vote the Democratic
ticket. but they will likely not vote at
all. The Populistic idea is gaining
firm foOthOld in this county. and at the
coming election will cast very re-
spectacle vote. And from present in
dications it is mostly composed Of men
who formerly affiliated with the Repub-
licans. So we take it that if the Demo-
Gratis awake to the situation and en-
brace the golden opportunities offered.
organize throughout the county. lay
CT 4 II
put their shoulders TO the wheel. work
ing together for the common cause.
success will be theirs. and if we do not
carry the county this time, we will
have laid the foundation to route the
enemy at no far distant day.
Let us then recognize that in union
there is strength. We should not di-
vide upon the financial issues. These
are not questions to be settled in dis
trict. county and State conventions.
such issues as these should be properly
fought out in the national convention.
and oWl Congressman and Senators
should settle them in obedience and
conformity to the declared will of the
party as promulgated by its national
utterances and platform. What We
want to do is to see that we increase
the Democratic mn i0ritiee in eaob and
every county in the State, and to be
certain that we chosI an entire Demo-
cratic State ticket and a Democratic
Senate and House of Delegates We
believe we voice the sentiments of the
people and signs of the times when
we say that loyal West Virginia is not
prepared to. nor Will she turn the ar
fairs of State over to the Republicans,
with the probability of having to pay
large portion of the Virginia debt Our
people are opposed to the Republican
party and the Wall street syndicate.
X.X.