The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-03-07


always been warm supported OF SEN
ntor Camden. and had served as FIRST
lieutenant In all his political battles,
was n candidate for the marshalship,
which then, as now. was regarded as
the best paying federal position within
the Eft of the senators. II so happen
cd that John Il. McGraw, who had an
equal claim on Senator Camden, and
was an old chum OF Mr.. Kennn's. was
candidate for collector Of internal
revenue. As both gentlemen were In
the Second district and lived In adj
Joining counties, the senators were very
much embarrassed by the candidacy
OF both OF them. II was out OF the
question to give the two best offices
TO one congressional district McGraw
and Wells were personal friends, rs
close as two brothers-it was case
OF Damon and Pythias. Senator Cam.
den wanted to do something for both
and was In u quandary. One OF them
he could certainly favor, but they be-
ing equal in his estimation he couldn't
decide which TO prefer. Had they been
OF the ordinary run of politicians. each
would have insisted on his claim and
the senator would have continued TO
be embarrassed. But they were not
Wells learned OF Senator Camden's
making up his own mind what to do.
He telegraphed Senator Camden not to
let his candidacy interfere with the
pushing of McGraw's claim to n finish
lin fact TO consider him (Wells) out OF
the race. Then he took the first train
and went to Washington to boom his
friend McGraw for the collectorship
and stayed with him until he got II.
Senator Camden has ever since had
higher opinion than ever OF the Glow
er's Gap statesman.and 1t is not strange
that the first time since that the latter
wanted anything he made II a personal
matter and asked his appointment. And
II Is not hard to understand why II was
that McGraw and his friends stayed
up late at night laboring with Mr..
Faulkner until Wells was promised the
office he holds to-day.
sss
The selection OF Wheeling by the
Democratic committee as the state
convention town does not seem to give
satisfaction to the rank and file" In
the interior and the southern parts OF
the state. Many OF the papers express
their displeasure in plain English and
a number Of communications appear In
their columns intimatng that there
must have been some scheme back OF
charges that It was done to keep the
poorer classes away from the conven-
ton. He argues that the long distance
from the central part OF the state will
make Il possible for only the moneyed
men and the professional politicians
who ride on free passes to attend. An
other says that u was the intent TO
hold the convention here Oprevent the
free silver faction, which Is confined to
the Interior and southern counties, from
having a show. Another sarcastically
inquiries why the committee didn't or
der the convention TO be held in Pitts
burgh and be done with It. Another
declares that the people will not be
here-thRt It will simply be "a caucus
OF the bosses" And so II goes. The
harmony so much talked about at the
committee meeting does net seem to be
much In evidence. The understanding
Is that the convention is to be held In
Wheeling park. That Is an appropriate
place, for II promises to be picnic"
80
Young Republlcanism is coming to
the front more than ever before in West
Virginia. In the list OF candidates for
state offices and for the county honors
all over the state there is more than
the usual proportion OF young men. The
old politicians of other days are push
ing this younger element forward, for
they have learned that in It lies the
hope OF the party and the state. One
OF the representative young men who
Is lust now receiving frequent and IA
Vorable mention for the Office Of attor-
ney general Is Joseph D. Gaines.
of Charleston, but formerly OF
Fayette county. Mr.. Gaines is one OF
the coming men of West Virginia and
has worked himself up In his profess
ion very rapidly. 1 knew him some
years ago when he was attending COL
iege and he gave very bright promise
then. He has met the expectations OF
all who knew him then. He is n
bright lawyer. an upright man and a
Republican you can tie to. He pos
sesses all the requirements that go TO
make up q good campaigner. Indeed.
he comes from that kind OF stock. for
he is a son OF Major Theophllus Gaines.
who used to tell me that he had two re-
and Republican.
There are other young men who
are being brought forward this year.
and Of them will speak later.
There IL no falling on in the number
OF Republican candidates for local hon
ors in Ohio county and there Is very
little talk about Democratic candidates.
This has its advantages and Its dis
advantages. One OF the advantages is
that the great number Of candidates
insures n rouBing turnout at the pri-
maries, the effect OF which will be to
create interest and enthusiasm One Of
the disadvantages Is that from among
so many good men the voter Will find
II difficult to make choice. Hundreds
OF voters find that they have two or
three OF their friends all asking, for
the same office and they are In n guam
Diary what TO do. The best to do is to
weigh carefully the strength OF each
and vote for the one who will be most
likely to win in November. Another dis
advantage Is the danger OF overconh-
dencc. Republicans should carefully
guard against the feeling that anybody
can win. The Democrats will be In
the saddle rs OF old. They have indie
fntigable leaders and we have seen In
the past that they are ready, when
driven to desperation, to resort TO any
thing. There isn't much harmony now
among the West Virginia Democracy.
but the leaders viii lay on the party
lash when the time comes. They VIII
not succeed In whipping nll into line.
but Republicans cannot afford to be
oyerconiidcnt. The Idea is TO make the
mnjorities as large as possible.