Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-19

WILL
When Circuit Court Clerk Charles H.
Henning announced his candidacy for
the Republican nomination for State
Auditor, friends of James X. Hall were
taken by surprise. and affected to coolly
ignore the matter. When, a little later
Henning, with characteristic energy,
began TO make excursions into the in
terror of the State, their atti-
tude toward him was seeming ip-
difference. Now that newspapers
have been discussing Henning, and
the rank and file talks OF his
candidacy, Mr.. Halls friends have been
compelled to present a change of front.
From regarding Henning's announce
ment as an unwarranted and intoler-
able piece of impertinence, the Hall
followers have been compelled to rscog-
nize him as a formidable, and even ian
gerous opponent
Evidence of the fact has been fur
nished in the past few days, when it is
understood that the rival candidates, or
authorized representatives, held a
meeting at which the situation was dis
cussed. The outcome of this confer
ence is said to have been an agreement
TO make the test of popularity in Ohio
county, the candidate receiving the mi
nority vote to withdraw from the race.
The primaries for the nomination
of a, county ticket will, in accordance
with custom, be held first. and it Is
understood that Mr.. Henning's friends
have suggested that the Authorship
fight be determined at that time by
popular vote. Whether or not this has
been considered, and if so, whether it
has been accepted, is not known. The
effect of the agreement referred to
above, however, will be to make Ohio
county the center Of the most active
hostilities. The battle between the Hall
and Henning factions will be waged
%stubbornly and not without some Bit
terness, as has already been shown.
The Register yesterday came into
possession of a circular letter, printed
on a letter head of the City Collector,
and said to have been sent out ia
thousands of Republicans in West Vir-
glnia, 1t is very interesting, as show
ing what Mr.. Hall thinks of himself.
and his reasons for asking The nomi-
nation at the hands of his party. The
letter is given in full below:
OFFICE OF CITY COLLECTOR
Wheeling, W. Va.
JAMES X. HALL.
City Collector.
My Dear Sir:
after careful consideration, 1 have de-
cIueu 10 become a candidate for Stare
Auditor before the Republican Stata 9sooe
oSnIon next year, and l AXE the liberty
o. wiring you TO solicit your interest in
republican party during the past tyvenIV
years deserve recognition, and | propOse
10 press my claims in every honorable
yehtlon, without prejudice to other candi-
oates, whose merits l cheerfully admit
~ IS perhaps unnecessary for me TO refer
70 the tact OF my services as Chairman of
me republican organization in Ohio
county from the time when that county
SaNe from three hundred to five hundred
neinocratlc majority to the present. when
IL gives 70 the Republican party from
Twelve hundred TO eighteen hundred maior-
l1y. rms RECORD speaks for Itself and
carries with 1t its own conclusion.
l desire to say that all reports in circu-
iauon 10 the effect that l am a candidate
IN the interest of some one else. Or maj
6nere is any combination of this nature.
are untrue, and should 1 fail to receive the
nomination my desire will be TO have The
convention select any one of my competi
tors VINO is the choice of the majority of
the delegates.
1t is with confidence and friendly sin
certify that l respectfully solicit yoIr
assistance in this matter. and l will heart
ny appreciate any effort you may make
in my behalf. ~
In conclusion permit me to say that
should the convention deem it best 10
select as its choice for candidate for
auditor some other aspirant. ] pledge to
the successful candidate my hearty sun
port. l believe in the recognized Repubii-
can principle that a man should place
his party and its welfare above personal
consideration.
Hoping you viii duly consider the matter
OF my candidacy and that l may hear from
you, 1 remain, etc.
A we'll informed RepubIfcan noliticior