Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-28
AT BRIDGEPORT.

The Hanna contingent arrived at
the Bridgeport Opera House, from
Aetnaviiie, at 3:05 The building was
open for about an hour before the
statesmen appeared, and Meister's
band came down from Aetnaville early
to stir up enthusiasm and get a crowd
in the vicinity of the place of amuse-
ment. When Mr.. Hanna, Mr. DAN
ford, and the attending satellites, en-
tered, there was a moderate round Of
applause. mainly from the stage, where
about thirty leading Pease township
Republicans were sitting. among them
Senator n. B. Scott. George Wise, ESQ.,,
Councilman W. H. lIalleT. LEV" Etz-
Ter, and some other prominent Repub-
licans from Wheeling. Quite a num-
Der Of Wheeling Republicans were IN
the audience.
The meeting was called to order by
J. L. Hagans, member Of the County
Republican Committee, who introduce
ed ]. c. Heinlein, Esq, as chairman.
Mr.. Heinlein briefly acknowledged the
honor and then introduced Mr.. Dan
ford.
Mr.. Danford said Mr.. Hanna had
just concluded forty minute speech at
Aetnaviile, and Il will talk to you. for
a short time until he has recovered
his wind" Laughter)
Launching into his speech, Mr.. Dan
ford said:
Il scarcely know what to talk
about, if | am to undertake to talk
about political issues. 1t was
the original intention of the Democra-
cy to make the issue in this State, this
year, free silver at sixteen to one, and
they so indicated in the party platform,
but after the oath of July, when the
Dingley bill became a law, confidence
was restored, business began to revive,
from 80 cents to SLIGO was being paid
for wheat and 25 cents to 80 cents for
wool, when it was found that in a
short time the mills, not only in this
valley, but throughout the country,
had business for six months or year,
and the coal strike was ended and men
had gotten down to work-they then
found there must be some other issue,
and we nave that issue with us to-day
in the person of Senator Hanna,
Qaughter) and he is here to talk for
himself
Mr.. Danford then spoke for about
twenty-five minutes, making a fOrcible
argument for his party's cause, and
at times provoking a good deal more
of applause than was given Senator
Hanna anywhere during the day.
Mr.. Danford is a favorite in Belmont
county, has lost nothing of his old
fire and energy, and makes a splendid
address. Mr.. Hanna began his address
about half past three o'clock. He be-
gan by saying:
"My Democratic critics have said
that, in my attempts to enlighten the
people of Ohio, 7 talk too much about
myself-and | think they are about
right. But as Mr.. Danford has said,
this campaign has narrowed down to
one issue-Mark Hanna. daughter. J
Therefore ! feel somewhat encouraged
to continue my subject (Renewed
laughter.)
told a large audience at the mill
above here that | was glad to be among
workingmen. I am glad for more than
one reason. I'm only making five
speeches to-day, I believe, but I will
talk until tomorrow morning to con-
vince the people that I am IN their in
terests. I do not talk for myself per-
sonally, but for the issues involved in
this campaign. II ! am half as bad as
the Democrats say / am, I am indeed
a very wicked fellow. | know
my own heart better than the Cincin-
natl Enquirer can read it, and my mo-
tives have been as pure as those which
animated any OF the boys in blue dur
ing the war. If that was wicked. then
] am criminal. and should 60 to the
penitcntiary."
Mr.. Hanna then went on to exnlain
his connection with the late Presiden-
tial campaign, stating that he felt sure
the country was going to destruction
unless strong man stepped in and a
strong personality came to the rescue.
He was convinced that Mr.. Mckinley
was the man for the emergency. and
the speaker did his hest to have him
nominated and elected 1t was nureIv
disintereSted patriotism on his mart
The remainder of the remarks about
himself were but a paraphrase upon
his Aetnaville address. and NOTHING
novel was evolved. His audience was
interested and at times fairly demon
strative, but there was nothing re-
narkabIe about either the address or
the enthusiasm.