Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-03-09

Special to the Register.
PETERSBURG, w. Va, March s.
A Freer man captured the presidency
of the State League of Republican
clubs to-day when J. C. Parkinson,
Mayor of Moundsville, was elected oy-
er three other candidates in the first
ballot.
He was one of the original Freer
men and the friends of that gentleman
are much elated over the selection.
It was six o'clock when the election
was completed and the convention
adjourned.
Tonight Congressman Dovener and
Freer, would-be- Congressman, and
others spoke at the auditorium to a
large crowd.
1t was II o'clock when the meeting
was called to order by first vice pres
ident w. B. Matthews, of Mounds
vile.
Rev. F. S. Townsend, of the M. E.
church, offered prayer Mayor Turner
on behalf of the city delivered an ad-
dress of welcome, and extended to
them the. hospitality Of. the future
metropolis of West Virginia.
Col. Thos. F. Barrett, on behalf of
the Republican party of Wood county,
welcomed the convention. Acting
President Matthews of the league, re-
sponded in a very entertaining speech.
He referred to Mckinley as William,
the conquerer," and to the good work
of the league in, Kentucky.
A letter of regret from Senator
Scott and telegram of the same kind
from Governor Atkinson we're read
and a telegram from VIM. Mckinley
asking the president of the league to
convey to that body his cordial best
wishes.
The following committees were ap-
pointed. On CREDENTIALS. w. Stuck,
]. NJ. Hanley, Robert Smith, S. M.
Workwine, Howard Timber, c. NJ.
Bobb, S. ". Matthews, Elem RAIDER. c.
H. Henney, J. w. Dudley, G. +. Tet-
ter, G. M. Bowers.
On resolutions. P. Bradley, ]. E.
Roberts, Walter HALEY, F. C. Copen,
E. H. Flynn, Elliott Northcott, John A.
Brown, E. L. Dunn, Capt. S. 3. Avis,
w. B. Outright, F. T. Lanham, Arnold
Scheer, U. S. G. Pitzer.
Congressman Dayton addressed the
meeting briefly while waiting for SEN
ator Thurston. A telegram from Sem
ator Elkins was read expressing re-
greet at not being able to be present.
Senator Thurston and Congressman
Freer appeared upon the stage together
and received tremendous ovation.
Stewart F. Reed, of Clarksburg, was
called to the chair to preside temper
arily and made a short speech, after
which Senator Thurston was intro
duced His speech, two hours in
length, was entirely on the defensive.
He said McKinley's administration
would go into history as the grandest
and best the nation ever had.
]. w. Vandervort and Thomas F.
Barrett, Parkersburg, Ira E. Robinson,
Grafton, and ]. C.. Parkinson, Mounds
Vile, were placed in nomination for
president.
On the first ballot nobody had ma
jority but all ran along nearly. even
with no one having decided advant-
age. Before Wood county was called
Ohio county, which had voted 342 for
Parkinson and IL each for the others,
changed solid for Parkinson. Mellow
ell followed suit and about fourteen
counties changed to Parkinson SO fast
the secretaries could not keep up with
the changes. 1t was soon that he was
elected and Vandervort, Barrett and
Robinson withdrew in turn and Park
inson was elected by reclamation.
D. E. Hughes, of Cabell, was re-
elected secretary by reclamation.
Vice Presidents were elected as fol-
lows: First district, w. F. Carter,
West Union; Second, F. E. Cricket,
Martinsburg; Third. DR.. H. F. Camp
bell, (colored), Charleston; Fourth, r.
A Riggs, Point Pleasant. The .lele-
gates to the national convention are
]. w. Vandervort and Thomas F. Bar
rett, Parkersburg; Ira Robinson, Graf
ton; w. B. Matthews, Moundsville;
Phil. Waters and Cupid Campbell, both
colored, and both of Charleston. The
convention then adjourned.