Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-07

Benwood Democrats are still cele-
bratlng their big victory won Tues
day, and in contrast to their citation
is the apparent deep feeling Of de-
preston among the Republicans. They
have not yet fully recovered from the
shock and are wondering what really
struck them. So thoroughly confident
We're they of success that they did
not admit the possibility of single
Democrat being elected. 1t is interest
ing to note the different predictions
that were made as to the probable re-
suit
The Register on Monday predicted
the election of a Democratic Council
and majority of the city offices. On
the contrary the lntelligencer last
week stated positively that the Dem
ocrats had given up the fight and that
ex-Mayor Joseph Mahcod, candidate
for Council, was doomed to defeat in
"Tammany ward To the unpreju-
diced observer, however. it was clear
that there would be a change. The
people openly expressed themselves, on
every hand, of being tired of the mis-
management and inconpetency CT the
local administration and only wanted
a chance to express their disapproval
in way that would be felt. Aside
from the bearing that local matters
had on the election, general politics
and the industrial situation about
Benwood had considerable to do with
it. Benwood's voting population is
composed almost entirely of working
men, and Benwood itself is one of the
chief industrial centers of the State.
Thus any change in the general in
dustrial situation soon affects the pop
ulation Of Benwood and its local cleo
lions are always regarded as possess
ing more than ordinary political sig
nificance. The local election in the
spring of 1894 is an illustration. After
the general industrial and business de-
preston existing at that time, during
the national Democratic adminiStra-
ton, Benwood was the first to hold a
local election, and everything went
Republican. The result was heralded
everywhere by Republican organs that
one of the principal manufacturing
communities had voted against the
Democratic administration. This was
followed by the fall Congressional
election, which the Republicans also
carried The question is will history
repeat itself? There is no doubt that
the numerous wage reductions that
have taken place in BenwoOd since
MckinleyS election has created great
dissatisfaction among those who ac-
cepted assurances of better times and
higher wages, and voted the Repubi-
can ticket 1t is clear that a change
of sentiment has again occurred and il
is not unreasonable to say that the
overwhelming Democratic victory Of
Tuesday presages another victory in
this Congressional district this fall.
Although there is good ground for
the belief that a recount would show
the election of the Democratic candi-
dates for Mayor and Street Commits
sioner, yet there will be no recount
except on Street Commissioner. Pat
rick Scanlon, Democratic candidate,
got 10 votes less than his oppo-
uent. The vote will be re-
counted to-day. Thomas Deegan,
candidate for Mayor who, by the re-
turns, got nine less votes than his Re
publican opponent, stated yesterday
positively that he would ask for no re-
count. He stated that he did not de-
sire the office, had not asked single
man to vote for him. and was satisfied
for the situation to remain unchanged.
The Council will meet next Monday
night to canvass the returns and Will
hold a regular meeting Tuesday night
at which time the newly elected Off
GERS will likely be sworn in The new
Council will elect an entirely new po-
lice force. which will be Democratic,
and quite number of applications
for positions on the force will be con-
sidered.