Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-20
HUNTINGTON POLITICIANS
A REPUBLICAN MEET.
ING LAST EVENING ON THE
SOUTH SIDE.
IT PROBABLY DISAPPOINTED

tIT PROBABLY DISAPPOINTED
Those Who Expected an Enthusias-
| tic Demonstration-The Speeches
Were Devoid of Genuine Argu-
| ments-No Response to a Sugges-
| ton of Three Cheers = 1t Lasted
| for Only an Hour-One of the
| Speakers UnavofdabIy Abesnt.
The opening of the campaign by the
/ Republicans last evening on the South
| Side, perhaps lacked the showing of
| interest and enthusiasm that was an
ticipated. The meeting was held on the
! vacant lot at the Wheeling pottery in
the Sixth ward and drew a fair sized
crowd, including many who were not
old enough to vote. Occupying seats
on the platform were about fifteen of
the faithful who acted as vice presi-
dents, and while waiting for the speak
ers to arrive they occasionally agreed
with each other in their surprise at the
size of the turnout.
The speakers, Col. E. H. Fitch, who
is known as the Bald Eagle of CabeA5'
and Hon. C. H. Payne, a colored poll
tician of Huntington, were escorted
from the hotel to the meeting place by
the Rough Riders, headed by a drum
corps. Hon. J. Hampton Hoge, of Viz
ginia, who was expected to be among
the speakers, was unavoidably absent
and this fact was a disappointment to
those interested. A telegram received
early in the day stated that Mr.. Hoge
would be compelled to remain at home,
owing to illness.
The remarks in order during the raj
ly, which lasted for only an hour, were
utterly devoid of substantial arguments
in behalf of Republicanism and were
more of the nature of charges against
Democracy and unlimited praise for
the present administration. The faith
full on the stand naturally availed them
selves of every opportunity TO stir up
enthusiasm by applauding the "Cabell
orators" but their efforts practically
failed and it was probably one of bhe
Quietest political demonstrations ever
witnessed south of the creek.
w. I'll. Hornish, chairman Of the
County Republican Executive Commit
tee, called the meeting to order at half
past eight and introduced W. H. Dow
Ter, of Webster district, as the chair
man of the evening. Mr.. Dowler made
few remarks OF acceptance and in
troduced E. H. Fitch, OF Huntington.
Mr. Fitch began by saying that if
anyone imagined that General Apathy
was dwelling among the Republican
ranks he felt assured that his illusion
would be dispelled if he could but wit
ness this demonstration. He said that
when the Mckinley bill became opera
tive all the mills and factories in the
United States were running full, but
that they soon closed down for the
reason that the people became
careless. lie took occasion to denounce
what he cited as an example of Demo-
cratic craftsmanship from "a to '96.
He charged that the Democratic
party while in power from '92 to SO
had dissipated the national financial
reserve, thus destroying the plentitude
that previously existed in the land,
and later praised the Republican adj
ministration of the past four years.
claiming that it had restored confidence
among the people. The wheels of the
mills were spinning a glad song to the
workmen of the country and a wave
of prosperity was passing over the
nation, he continued, and he cited
an example OF what he thought
| were good times. He called particular
attention to plant in distant little
town that had not been operated until
; Mckinley was elected. just as he had
noticed it.
He next dwelt upon the causes lead
| ing to the Spanish-American war and
again praised the administration for
the course 1t had pursued in this strug-
gle. The speaker sarcastically referred
to the fact that Mr.. Bryan had taken
an interest in this war. saying that
he had gotten himself generalship
and had also gotten himself photo
graphed in several different shapes. He
thought the Republican party had been
seeking to place a crown OF honest toll
upon the brow of labor and to bring
prosperity to the homes of the workmen.
He asked his hearers il they thought
men. He asked his hearers If tAey
that the government OF America was
now in the form of an empire and af-
ter several boys in front of the stand
yelled no." naturally taking advan-
tage Of an opportunity to help make
the demonstration a little lively, the
speaker continued perchance a little
encouraged. 'He again attacked the
principles advocated by Mr.. Bryan,
claiming that he was in favor of trusts,
had so been charged and had never
denied It as far as he could learn.
He urged that the people be not
guided by the cry of trusts and inn
perialism, because he looked upon it as
Imagination. They talk about the con-
stituton, but have they read the Con-
stitution?" Mr.. Fitch continued. They
say we are expansionists. Yes, we are.
1t is according to the doctrine of evo-
luton He closed with the remark
that the Democrats love Lincoln and
Blaine because they like something
that is sinking and dead.
Then the chairman stepped forward
after Mr.. Fitch's speech and urged that
the crowd remain to hear DR.. c. r..