Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-09-14
AND SEVERAL LEADERS
Details of the Conference Could
not be Obtained
But it is Claimed by Candidate Blair
and the committeeman that There is
am Excellent Chance for Democratic
Success this Fall-OrganizatiOn Ef.
fected.
From Thursdays Daily

The Democratic congressional
committee o. the First West V1r-
ginia district was in session in
Wheeling yesterday afternoon. In
addition to effecting All organization
the committee met with some of the
Ohio county leaders and workers
and discussed the prospects and
issues of the approaching congress
sional campaign in shis district.
The committee organized by
selecting the following officers:
Chairman-Melville d. Post, of
Ohio county.
Secretary-Geo. w. Bland, of
West Union.
Treasurer-John T. Gallaher, of
Moundsville.
Candidate Jackson V. Blair was
present at the conference and
it is presumed that the officers Sc
lected are agreeable to him. The
chairman, Mr.. Post, is we'll known
throughout the district, is energetic
and able, and will no doubt con-
duct vigorous campaign for his
par,y's candidate. In 1892 Mr..
Post was presidential elec,or on the
democratic ticket. For several
years he has practiced law at the
Ohio county bar. He is known
throug, out the country as the au.
thor of The Strange Schemes of
Randolph Mason" book that in
vited favorable criticism from all
critics.
The secretary, Mr.. Bland, and
the treasurer, Mr.. Gallaher, in the
district are active politicians, 1t
must be conceded that Candidate
Blair's campaign will be we'll han
died.
Among the local leaders who at.
tended the conference, which was
held in Room 5 at the Windsor,
were Colonel Thomas O Brien, eX-
Attorney General Thomas S. Riley,
ex-Congressional Candidate John
A. Howard, ex Congressman John
o. Pendleton, Mr.. NJ +. Tighe and
others. Plans for the conduct Of
the campaign were discussed at
some length, b.. of course there
was nothing which the committee
felt disposed to divulge to the pub
lie at this time.
Candidate Blair talked for few
minutes, and said that he had not
yet decided when or where he
would open his campaign. Al
ready, he said, he had been over
the district, and had received more
encouragement than he had hoped
for Just after his nomination. AS
to the issues which he would make
prominent, Mr.. Blair referred the
inquirer to the platform adopted at
Weston.
There is the possibility that
new issues will arise" added Mr..
Blair. This probably means that
the conduct of the war will be made
partisan issue.
we are opposed to the acquisi-
ton OF the Philippines" said the
candidate, land all other foreign
territory excepting coaling static rs
and ports to advance our foreign
trade. We stand on the Monroe
doctrine"
What of the large additions to
republican strength in West Vir-
ginia since 1892"
II think that the democratic par
ty will recover its lost strength this
year" was Mr.. Blair's answer.
Il believe that in 1896 there was a
large majority in the republican
party that was wavering, and that
this element will vote the demo
cratic ticket this fall l feel is as
sured. The promises made in 1896
held these voters to their allegiance,
but the promises have not been full
filled and they cannot be held
longer"