Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-26
FAIRMONT POSTOFFICE.

HISTORY.
Special to the Register.
Falrmont, w. Va, October 25.-The
private message to Col. A. Howard
Fleming last night from Congressman
Dayton, stating that after consulta-
ton with Senator Elkins they had en-
oorsed him for the Office of postmaster
at this place, has caused comment
among the knowing politicians of both
parties. Indeed it has been the prin-
cipal theme of conversation all day,
and has been the source of as much
growing among Republicans as
pleasure to those Democrats who de-
light to see the leaders in quandary.
1t will be remembered that a few
years ago several Republicans of Ma
rion county, disguised to some extent
with the futile efforts of their party to
carry this county, and anxious to turn
the leaders out that they might get in
control, waged a war against the Flem-
ing management of the Republican
politics in this county. In this fight
there were many Republicans interest
ed, so many that the vFlemings were
obliged to withdraw from the leader
leaders were called, assume power.
Principal among those who made the
fight were two men who this year
came out for the postoffice. They had
worked faithfully for their party, and
although they had lost the county, the
postoffice spoils were to be divided. The
postmasters in this county were not ap
pointed early after President Mckinley
took charge, and in the meantime
these two members of the "ring" had
made the fight so bitter that division
in the party looked possible. When
horses began heaving in sight to the
number of eight, which made ten candi-
dates in the field.
Congressman Dayton visited this
place during the commencement ex-
ercises at the University, and as he
had announced his intention of ap-
pointing those favored by the various
county committees. WI E. Arnett's
boom assumed large proportions and
he became the favorite among the out
siders. In conversation at Morgan
town, however, Dayton stated that
the chances of A. Howard NFleming
were excellent. This statement ap-
peared in the Dominion, but was
laughed at by the knowing Republi-
cans, and Editor Powell, one of the
candidates, made sport of it in his
own paper. That the Flemings were
in" politics the ring denied, and
PowelPs hold On Elkins, some claim
ed, insured his appointment. Then
came letter to Col. w. H. Brand
from Senator Elkins saying that Day.
ton would appoint the postmasters
here and that Elkins would not enter
the fight. Col. Brand showed this let
ter to the correspondent of the Reg
lister, who commented upon it at the
time. The ring denied that the letter
was ever written, and backed the
statement in the Free Press that the
fellow who wrote up politics for the
Register knew nothing at all of what
he was talking about.
In the meantime Col A. Howard
Fleming, although asleep to all local
issues with the exception of the town
election and the Augusta county fight.
was, with the aid of his brother. Thos.
w. Fleming, arranging the net into
which the ring stumbled, and which
gave Senator Elkins and CONGRESSMAN
Dayton an opportunity of giving them
bitter rebuke for their actions a
few years ago. While the Flemings
sacrificed the leadership of the party
In this county, they relieved them
selves of what had proved a heavy
burden, as the county was hopelessly
Democratic. After the ring" took
hold the growth Of the Democratic
party was not hindered, and the coun-
ty continues the same. In the mean
time the Flemings became the <hench-
men of Elkins and Dayton in their
efforts to further the proposed navi-
cation of the MOnongahela river which
has been so successfully accomplished.
The appointment of Col. Fleming
following the actions of he and his
brother, proves beyond doubt that,
Fik.ns and DAYTON, knowing that the
county is hopeless, would rather have
the influence Of the Flemings than the
aid of the party organization. which
never has nor never will further their
efforts.
Col. Fleming's victory shows that
the promises of the ring" amount to
but little. which accounts for Mayor
kendalls long face to-day, as he had
the promise of the State Senate nomi-
nation if lie would withdraw from his
candidacy for the Legislature. No one
knows better than he that his chances
have gone glimmerirg, as his political
enemy has been recognized by those in
power. When Kendall came out for