Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-01-03
Richards was solid gold official badge
in handsome case, with this inscrip-
II. C. RICHARDS,
Sheriff.
Ohio County,
w. Va.

When Mr.. Richards recovered from his
personal surprise, he said:
Fellow Citizens and Friends-This is
one of the most trying situations l have
ever been placed in. and l am only sup
ported by the kindly words of my old
friend, the Governor Of the State, and
who, years ago, was my tutor in politics.
Years ago, when l first came into a posi-
ton to enter into political affairs. he was
my friend ami advisor. and from him 1
received many valuable points. He has
spoken of some things / am glad he
Observation-Disclosures occurring during the
late campaign. To ME these things are
of no Importance. but they are of import
ance to the Republican party. AS he has
said, some things occurred at the late
election-held in this county within the
election-I may say at the two late cleo
tions-held in this county within the
past year-the Republican primaries and
the general election, and the criticism
promptly made was that there was a
ring. and that the ring must be defeated
for the good of the parry. For myself, /
tried to find out what that ring was. My
sole knowledge Of rings consisted Of what
l had read of their operation in other
cities, and my idea of political ring was
an organization which deprived the peo-
pie of their political rights. Here l knew
nothing of such thing. (Applause.) 1
want to further say that in every lodge.
in every church, for that WATERWAY. in
every household if it be large one-there
are duties and responsibilities which de-
volve upon few. and the performance or
these duties and responsibilities under
such conditions constitute what might be
called ring. You will find that ring in
the Lodge, in the Church, even in the
home. and you will find 'he same thing
in politics. and such management was
the only ground for the assertions of the
sort heard during the last campaign. l
am no longer a candidate. yet have the
same anxiety for the future success OF
my party, whether the contest be NUM-
cipal, county, State or national. Any
statement of the existence OF any ring is,
/ am convinced. a deliberate falsehood.
and is not supported by one iote of truth.
(Applause)
Personally, I am gratifed at this gift
and attention this evening. / feel that |
am not entitled TO this consideration. and
will always remember 1t as one of the
greatest epochs in my history, and l shall
be glad to know that / am held in this
esteem. AS for this emblem Of office. l
shall endeavor to wear it worthily, and
at the expiration of my term of office l
hope l shall he able TO hand it over TO
my Republican successor with a record TO
which all my friends and the general pub
lie can say amen. 1 return my thanks to
the Governor for the kind things he has
said. and hope in the near future 1t shall
be my pleasure to be present at an event
of a somewhat similar nature, and / fur
Their hope that all who can will go to Char
lesion TO see something new in the history
of West Virginia-the inauguration of a
Republican Governor-something, l be-
lieve. which has not occurred before for
twenty-five years. (Applause.) Again I
thank YOU
At the conclusion of this address Mr..
Richards friends rushed up to him and
rendered their personal congratulations,
and then the assemblage slowly dispersed.