Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-11

Too much Atkinson was the principal
reason for the dissatisfaction growing
out of the recent trip Of the Elkins
Cadets to Charleston.
1t is charged by prominent Republic
cans that the Governor used his infu-
ence to secure the election Of his son as
President OF the State League OF Re
publican Clubs, and thereby angered
the Kanawha county faction, which ap
pears to be animated,by the same hog
gish principle which the Republicans
attribute to the Kanawha Democrats.
Howard Atkinson was generally under
stood to be a candidate for the place,
but he was not supported in Ohio coun-
ty, and but for the fact that his father
was chosen Governor of the State, he
would not have been elected, If indeed
he would have been a candidate. The
opposition TO his candidacy among local
Republicans was made on the ground
that he has rendered no actual service
to the party, and was not member OF
any political club during the campaign.
They looked upon his aspiration as
very presumptious under the circum-
stances.
The meeting of the League of Clubs
was held on March Sd. The actual fight
over the selection of officers took
place before the meeting was called TO
order. There were really only three
delegates from Ohio county who were
entitled to vote. They were Delegate
w. II. Blon, who represented the Dow
ener Club, and j. X. Hall and c. II.
Henning, representing the Fifth Ward
Club. The delegates, however, allow
ed the score of Ohio county Republicans
who were in Charleston to sit and vote
with them. Mr.. Atkinsons principal
opponent was Mr. Hood, of hanawha.
Hall and Henning supported Hood, and
had secured 54S votes for him, insur-
ing his nomination on the first ballot.
This condition of affairs, so it is al
legged. reached the ears of Governor At
kinson who notified the Ohio county
men that he would look upon their op-
position to his sons candidacy as per-
sonal matter. He indicated plainly
that he wanted Howard chosen for the
place A little conference was then
held, and the outcome was the with
drawal of every name but AtkinsOn's,
and his unanimous election as Presi-
dent. This did not remove the sore
ness. however, as many submitted to
the Governor very reluctantly
This fact was in evidence on the fol-
lowing day, for it is the opinion Of
prominent Republicans that the chilly
reception accorded the Elllins Cadets
was due entirely to the part which
Governor Atkinson took in the delib-
erations Of the club delegates. 1t was
understood that there was to be an in
augural parade, in which the crack
Kanawha county club of 500 members,
as well as other organizations, would
participate. The parade was fiat
failure. 1t consisted of the Cadets,
with a white band in front and a col
ored band in the rear, and the Gov
ernor-elect and his staff in carriages.
It was a frost" There were few per-
sons on the sidewalks, and it was pro-
nounCed the "tamest' Inauguration
which has ever taken place in Charles
ton.
A well known Ohio county Republi-
can suggested yesterday that Geo. w.
Atkinson. Jr.. should have been chosen
Secretary of the League Then it
would appear something like this:
Governor. George Wesley Atkinson;
Private Secretary, Howard Atkinson;
President of State League of Republi-
can Clubs. Howard Atkinson; Secretary
of State League of Republican Clubs.
George Wesley Atkinson. Jr.