Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-31
Special to the Register.

Virginia where he has been engaged in
the canvass for about ten days. Mr..
Clayton is the Democratic National
Committeeman from his State, is a
close and accurate student of politics.
and never makes statements that he
us not willing to stand by under all
circumstances. He is a serious, though
not voluble talker During an Incl
dental discussion to-day of the situa-
uion in West Virginia, Mr.. Clayton
said:
1 found the Democratic party we'll
organized and in good fighting trim.
Their organization and enthusiasm
convinced me that they will elect a
Democratic Legislature, Judge Holt as
Governor and the entire Democratic
ticket, and that the State will undoubt-
edly give its electoral vote to Bryan
and Stevenson.
Il am quite sure that the Democrats
will elect three out Of four members
of Congress and probably all of them.
"The chairman of the State Com
mittee, Hon. j. H. Miller, is possessed
OF fine executive ability. He is
good political general. Judge Holt,
the Democratic nominee for Cover
nor is one of the best campaigners in
the country. He makes very strong
entertaining and convincing speech.
line State ticket is strong one. Ev-
cry man On it is a native OF West Vir-
GINA and understands the situation
there and is in accord with the senti-
ments OF the great majority of the
people OF the commonwealth The Re-
publican State ticket, | am told, is
composed of men
Not Natives of West Virginia
but who have gone there for political
| or other reasons OF special self inter
est. The Democrats are making con-
| siderable capital out of the superior
personnel OF their ticket"
Going more specifically into the
Congressional situation, Mr.. Clayton
cOnAnued:
I regard the Second and Third dis
| trictS as certainly Democratic in No
vember. Judge Johnston is now the
Democratic member OF Congress from
the Third district He has been re-
nominated and is now making a thor
ough canvass of his district l spoke
with him few days ago at Hinton to
several thousand very enthusiastic
Democrats.
Il was told that quite number of
Republicans had announced that they
would support Bryan and the other
Democrats. This discussion of imper-
iaism, militaram and trusts is making
many converts to Democracy. The
Republicans are endeavOring to run
away from the discussion of these
questions and try to conllne their ut
terances to the coinage question, but
the people have a livelier interest now
in the other questions and Insist upon
hearing about them.
"In the Second district, the Demo-
Gratis were very fortunate in the nom
nation of Col Thomas B. Davis,
brother of ex-senator Henry G. Davis
and, therefore, uncle-in-laW of Sena-
tor Elkins. This stroke on the part
Of the Democrats had very Earring
effect on the Republicans and particu-
larly the ElkinateS. 1t means that Ell
kins must go up against che entire
united and aroused Davis influence in
West Virginia. He has never hereto
fore had to fight this influence united
and aroused as it is this year. Col.
Davis is one of the old-time West Vir-
ginians; is a very successful business
man; has worked himself up from the
position of a day laborer to where he
lis now worth several millions and is
~ civ "a runaltbinC n
in his State.
lie Is Very Popular
with railroad men and miners as we'll
as with the farmers. He will make 4
true representative Of the people Of
his State.
Congressman Johnston1s popular
ity in the third district is greater than
ever. | was told that he had used up
his opponent, Mr. Gaines, in one joint
discussion, and that he challenged MI
Gaines for another joint debate at Hin
ton, but the challenge was not accept
ed. Mr.. Gaines is now United States
district attorney, as we'll as a candi
date for Congress. | observed that
some days ago the Department of JUS
tice required Mr. Tillman, the United
States district attorney at Nashville,
Tenn. to resign as chairman of the Re
publican committee there. Of course,
| do not know what will be done in the
case of Mr.. Gaines. / did not get into
the Fourth district, but the Democrats
report that the chances for the cleo
ton OF their candidate, Mr.. Collins, are
most excellent. He is a very sensible
man, and will poll the n-ire Demo-
cratic strength, and it is thought will
draw largely from the Republicans
When asked about the charge that
the Republicans have been colonizing
voters in West Virginia for political
purposes, Mr.. Clayton replied: THE
Democrats claim that several thols-
and men from neighboring states have
recently been imported into West Vir-
ginia by the Republicans.
They Present Good Evidence
to sustain the charge. The Republi-
cans are thoroughly uneasy, and this
colonization system is not unknown
to their political methods. But / be-
lieve the Democrats are sufficiently or
ganized and determined 10 prevent the
carrying OF West Virginia by the votes
of the imported men. Indeed, / regard
ii as almost certain that the next Leg
islature will go Democratic
I'm this event, Hon. John T. Nc
Graw will undoubtedly succeed Ste
phen B. Elkins in the Senate Mr.. Nc
Graw is a man of large means. and
has many interests in West Virginia