The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-03

Republican state ticket in West Viz
ginia, and the offices of governor and
auditor 50 far have attracted the largest
number of Ssplrants for the nominal.
lions.
Although Governor Atkinson has
made no public declaration on the sub
ject. it is believed he will not be can
dldate for any office in the next
campaign, in fact he said to
a Wheeling friend recently thnt
he would come back to Wheel
ing at the expiration Of his term
in 1901 and resume the practice OF his
profession. There had been rumor
that he would continue his residence at
the state capital and become candi-
date for the Third district congression-
al nomination, but this he said, was
untrue.
Four names have been mentioned
through the state as likely gubernator-
Ial candidates on the Republican side.
Internal Revenue Collector A. B. White,
Of Parkersburg, former editor of the
Journal of that city, and secretary of
the Republican state committee, has
large following throughout the state
and were he the party's choice for
governor there is no doubt of the vigor
Of the campaign he would make.
Colonel George w. Curtin, Of Braxton,
county is another embryo candidate,
who has many friends who would like
to see him in the field for the nominal
ton. His admirable qualities Of mind
and heart would make him candidate
to enthuse over.
State Senator oliver S. Marshall, of
Hancock county. is an avowed candi-
date for the nomination, and his friends
believe he will make strong bid for
the nomination. He was president of
the state senate at the last session of
the legislature and showed executive
ability of high degree.
Last but by no means least, comes
''The Ohio county man." who is never
lost in the shuttle no matter how tor
tuous and intricate the ways Of the
body polite may become in West Vir-
ginia. He is Mr.. Joseph speIdel, one
Of Wheellng's leading business men,
whose enterprise in his own business
affairs and in wider fields Of finance
and commerce has stamped him a man
of affairs fitted in the school OF rugged
experience to grasp and execute in even
so elevated a position as the governors
chair in the great state of West Vir-
ginla. Mr.. speldel is modest and un-
assuming, and would not of his own
accord enter a contest for the Republic
can gubernatorial nomination, but so
many of his friends in various parts OF
the state have importuned him to be-
come candidate that he may consent.
Should he do SO he will be factor in
the race.
Next to the governorship, in point OF
power to attract candidates. comes the
office of auditor, for which there is a
host Of asplrants, Including the present
incumbent, L. NJ. Lafollette, OF Taylor
county; Arnold scherr, of Grant coun-
| ty: S. A. Hawk, of Cabell county, now
warden of the state penitentiary at
Moundsville; E. NJ. Lewis, of Marshall
county, now county clerk; Elliott
Northcott, OF Cabell county, now assist
ant district attorney, and James K.
Hall, of this city, at present city collec-
tor. Here is a great array OF good tim
Der for the auditors office, and the con-
ventlon would find it difficult, II not
impossible, to make poor selection.
Mr.. Hall, when seen yesterday after
noon by an Intelllgencer reporter.stated
that his candidacy for the authorship
depended upon the candidate selected
for the head of the ticket. If Mr.. Spell
del consents to enter upon a canvass
for the nomination, and 1t is thought
by the leaders OF The party that the gov
ernor should come to this part of the
state, Mr.. Hall says he would graceful
ly retire. Otherwise he will be can
didate for auditor to the finish.
"How about the report that Mr.,
Charles H. Henning is candidate for
audltor?"
"Mr. HennIg Informed me to-day that
he would not be n candidate in the
event that would make the race"
"And you intend to make the racer"
Eyes. under the above circum-
stances"
For the other places on the ticket
there is as yet dearth Of candidates.
outside OF the incumbents. So far as
can be learned there are no opponents
in the field against Attorney General
Rucker, state Treasurer Kendall and
Superintendent Of Free Schools Trot-
ter. But of course they will come
later.
In the First congressional district
there is no opposition yet to the renom-
nation Of Captain Dovener. His re-
cord in the house is one of such ability
and OF such usefulness to his constitu-
ency that It would be folly for anyone
10 attempt to wrest the nomination
from the gallant captain. Among the
people OF the river counties, who will
he VASTLY benefited by the system OF
river Improvement which Captain Dow
pner has been instrumental in inaugur-
ntIng, he is very strong, and his sup
portcrs include many Democrats as
well as all Republicans.