Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-30


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clone. Jeems is a mighty boss. and all
Republicans are now engaged in doing
him reverence.
The methods popularity believed to
have been used by the Republicans. in
the Fifth ward, were very generally
discussed yesterday, all over the city,
and created a good deal of surprise
among those who are not familiar with
the methods of carrying on elections
practiced by reform Republicans. The
Register has more than once referred
20 the Republican colonization of this
particular ward. Voters living out of
the ward, although residents of the
city, were CHARTERED over there in order
that they might be able TO swear in a
vote. and their board and lodging was
paid with Republican money. Money
was also disbursed in actual cash,
sometimes to Democrats out of work
and in want; loads of coal were sent
10 various houses, and other purchases
and disbursements made. all for the
sake of influencing the result, and be-
tween the votes cast by those who had
no moral right TO vote in the Fifth,
and the voters who abstained from
voting from one consideration and an
other. the Republican Council ticket
was worked through. That was one
way Of securing an endorsement
from the people.
Another way was practiced in the
First ward. Up there it was in the
counting of votes. and precinct No. is
a case i'm point As the returns were
counted, this precinct save an average
Republican majority of twenty for
Councilmen Had there been a fair
count. the two parties would have been
about even in the precinct. The Re
publican election officers applied one
rule to the counting of Republican bal
lots and another to the counting Of
Democratic ballots. with the result that
it is absolutely known that the Demo-
Gratis got twelve votes the worst of it,.
and perhaps fully twenty in all. The
trick was done with imperfectly
scratched ballots. For instance, the
counters would strike a ticket where
the Democratic side was cancelled by
q line drawn from the top down TO
within two names of the bottom, leav-
ing actually six names voted for for
Second Branch of Council. two on the
Democratic ticket and four on the Re
publican. They would promptly de-
eide that such q ticket was straight
Republican but if, Immediately after
wards they found a similar ticket with
the Imperfect mark on the Republican
side. they would reverse the ruling and
refuse to count it for the Democratic
candidates. Then. if the third ticket
was imperfectly marked en- the Demo-
cratic side. they would apply the rule
again. Democratic workers stood by
i'm this precinct and saw this outrage
Gus performance twelve times. and
then. finding protests of no avail, they
walked away. There is no doubt but
that. upon q fair count in the First
ward Mr. Korn would be found elected
TO Council and perhaps one or two
more Democrats, but ii would be sheer
nonsense TO bring a case before the Re
publican Council. and an appeal can
not be taken TO Court. for Council is
absolutely the Judge Of the election and
qualification OF its own members. The
public can be acquainted with the
facts. however, and can be made 10
know the unfair methods put into
practice by the Republican ring now in
control in Wheeling.
The Republican caucus is now the
thing and possesses more interest
than anything else. Just when it Will
De held was uncertain. last evening. 4
strong and influential faction wanted
1T tonight, 10 the end that the cOmmo-
ton and disorder incident 10 place
hunting might be over as soon as pos
sihle. while another element wanted it
PAT off, for a variety of reasons. until
Monday night, or even later. \ defu-
ito conclusion will probably be reach
ed during to-day. There is any amount
of speculation. as a matter Of course, as
90 the net result of the caucus, when
held. Some things appear certain,
while many more are past even guess
Ing For instance. Mr. Hall will prob
ably De Collector. Clerk Thomas
O'Brien. Jr.. viii probably succeed
himself as Clerk of committees and of
the First Branch of Council, \. L.
White viii continue 10 be City Sur
veyOr. Messrs. Mccoy and Schenk will
likely succeed themselves on the Board
of Public Works and MessrS. Hall and
Jones on the Water Board; John Schcl-
base will probably be taken care of in
the Water Board. and VIII Hornish on
the Board Of Public Works These
are tolerable certainties. although there
viii be q fight just the same Other
things are dubious. All the present in
cUmoents want TO succeed themselves.
but they an have contests on their
hands. and the doom of some is GER
tain. One of the men 10 walk the plank
will probably be superintendent Of
Streets Holmes. who circulated, it is
charged. some reports in the Fourth
ward which did not do the Republic
can cause any particular good. There
is conspiracy 10 throw Sam Boyce
down. and Or. Jepson has about as
much Of a fight on his hands as he can
well manage superintendent Narney,
of the water works. thinks he will win.
but will have TO fight for it. One man
who should DE retained is Janitor sam
Sloan. TIE knows his business, and is
one OF the most obliging, careful and
courteous of officials.
The new Assistant City Clerk, VII
liam Nolte. was at the Clerks once
Yesterday. learning the ropes under
clerk Watkins. lie promises to be d
popular and capable official.