The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-03-26

SIS the republican guoernatorial con-
test to be a walkover for the Parkers-
brig mani" is the general inquisy since
the announcement of Judge Freer's
withdrawal from the race, made sat
urday afternoon.
Immediately upon the announcement
of Judge Freer's withdrawal his sup
porters in various parts Of the state
turned their eyes toward other promi-
nent Republicans, one Of whom they
'hopsd to be able to induce TO oppose
Mr.. White Among the names men
toned wera those Of Judge Nathan Goft'
state Senator n. E. Whitaker, Colonel
r. e. Fasr, Hon. John w. Mason, Hon.
James L. Caldwell Hon. Thomas e.
Davis and Hon. William c. Worley
Desiring to learn just how the stu
alton would eyentuate, the Intelligencer
yesterday took steps to ascertain the
attitude of the gentlemen whose names
had been mentioned in connection with
the governarship. The following tele~
gram was sent to Messrr. Con, Cald-
well, DAVIS. worley, Mason and Fast;
WHEELING. March %.
Your name mentioned connection gu
bernatorial nomtfiatlon. VIII you enter
the race? Please answer to-day.
INTELLIGENCER
Answers have been received from
Judge Golf, Mr.. Davis, Mr. Mason and
Colonel Fast. These, together with an
interview with State Senator Nelson E.
Whitaker. are printed above. Judge
Goff says he has not been and will not
be a candidate. Messrs. Mason and
Davis say they are not candidates.
Colonel Fast says he would consider
the matter favorably II his candidacy
were necessary to unite the party, and
Senator Whitaker, for the first time.
Is quoted direct on the governorship.
He said. when called up last evening
by a representative OF the IntellIgencer:
~ am not in any sense candidate for
governor have had no such thought
at any time. 1 see nothing for the Re-
publlcans Of West Virginia to do but
line up for Mr.. White, as believe they
will do" The two other gentlemen who
have been mentioned in connection with
the nomination, Messrs. Worley and
Caldwell, had not answered the Intel
lIgencers telegram of inquiry late last
night
The field then, so far as is known, is
now limited to Mr.. White, with the
possibility that Colonel Fast will be-
come a candidate. Needless to remark,
the development of Judge Freer's with
drawal Saturday was received with the
greatest satisfaction among Mr..
Whites supporters in Ohio county. on
the other hand. there was the deepest
gloom in the Free. camp. From what
can be learned, most OF the Freer people
here are disposed to take seats in the
White band wagon and give the Par
kersburg man solid delegation in the
Charleston convention. The opinion
seems to be tnar 1T Is too late now to
organize formidable opposition to
White.
Judge Freer's withdrawal came in the
shape of u lorruaI announcement, given
out Saturday afternoon by his man
ager, Colonel Eugene NJ. Campbell, oil
Huntington, as follows:
House Of Representatives,
Washington, y, c., March 2.
To tho Republicans OF West Virginia:
hnaiFa frat uf nj
things, party harmony and success. ant
after mature elaboration, l have decided
to withdraw from the race for the gov
ernOrship. believing that my continued
candidacy would lead TO party strife ant
dissension. Furthermore find that have
not the physical strength to endure 0
campaign for the nomination, with tbs
great bulk OF the labor OF the contest de
volvlng on me alone
share Of my attention, and necessarily
would have to neglect them II l continue
IN the race for governor, and this can
not AFFORD to do, and. without resontmen
and without any feeling OF unkindncss to
ward any one, ! hereby formally with
draw from the race for the nomination.
No man has truCr friends than myself
Through good report and evil report the!
have been loyal TO me, In success and de
feat. can only hope that at some fu
turc day. time or place. may DO able L
recompensc them for their devotlons
This declaration does not tnke me on
Of West Virginia politics, but, on the con
trnry. II gives me m opportunity to d
better and truCr work for tho cause
love 70 much, freed from tho suspicion 0
any personal ambition.
- Republicans let us 10 forward 10
gcthcr Yours faithfully.
ROMEO II. FREER.
The publication in the Morgantow
New Dominion Saturday Of n story I
the effect that Judge Frper,g doVynfnl