Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-10-16
GRAND k'0kSTRAT|ON
Of DEMOCRATIC ARDOR.
A RED LETTER NIGHT IN THE HIS
TORY OF THE DEMOCRACY
OF TYLER COUNTY.
COL. JOHN M'GRAW THE ORATOR
OPERA HOUSE PACKED, AND Hun
DREDS Unable TO GAIN
ADMITTANCE.

Special to the Register.
SISTERSVILLE, w. Va, October 16.
This was certainly a red letter night
in the history of the Democratic party
in Tyler county. The occasion was the
meeting in the new opera house to-
night addressed by Col. John I. Nc
Graw, the leader of the party in the
State, and a candidate for the United
States Senate last year.
Great preparations for the meeting
had been made by the local Democracy
and to say it was a success is speaking
but mildly. A grand parade had been
arranged and was advertised TO come
of at seven-thirty. By SIX O'Clock the
people commenced to come in from the
country and by seven the streets were
contested. 1t was almost impossible TO
get along the sidewalks, many pedes-
TRANS being compelled to take TO the
street. The parade was formed on Main
street and was one of the best that
has been made in this city for a long
time. There were about one hundred
men on horses, quite a number of car
riages filled with notables and ladies,
~ 0DJ LII vi Tx 1 "a
the many members of the marching
clubs, which turned out. 1t is estimated
and -eonservatively, too, that there were
fully two thousand people in the city,
drawn here by the demonstration.
The new auditorium, where the meet
ing was held. seats almost a thousand
people. There were two hundred on
the stage, besides there were fully two
hundred people standing in the aisles,
and ear part of the house. There
were MOI fewer than twelve hundred
people in the house, and many were
turned away because they could not
gain admittance. An overflow meet
ing of several hundred could have been
held had another speaker been present,
and the proper arrangements made.
The parade started from Main and
Diamond streets, traversed the Main
streets of the city and was as inspiring
a sight as one could wish to see. The
marching club and the men on horses
made a fine appearance, in their hand
some uniforms. and they were greeted
with cheers all along the route.
After the parade the crowd commenc-
ed to pour into the opera house until
it was filled to the utmost.
James B. Bremen. of Wheeling. can
didate for elector at large. was in the
city and being an old resident, was
chosen as chairman of the meeting. He
was introduced by Hon. l.. NJ. Stephens,
late member of the House of Dele
gates, from the Tyler-Wetzel district
Mr.. Bremen made a very neat and
timely speech, in which he made some
telling hits. He thanked the Demo-
Gratis for the honor confirmed and in a
few well-chosen words introduced the
speaker of the evening.
Mr.. McGraw was greeted with voci-
ferrous applause. when he advanced to
the front of the stage. His speech was
one of the most masterful efforts heard
in the city this campaign. He did not
abuse the opponents of Democracy IN
any way. He stated that it was not
necessary for the Democrats to use
| abuse in this campaign. The reason the
Republicans did so was simply be-
| cause they had no other way Of max
ing an argument.
He touched briefly and to the point
| on all the issues OF the campaign, and
was very frequently interrupted by the
| enthusiastic applause OF the vast aud
fence. whose undivided attention he
held for fully IN hour and a half.
His speech was very ~instructing and
interesting and during the entire time
he occupied the stage very few, If any,
left the house. 1t certainly was a
great outpouring of the Democracy of
this city, and vicinity. and it shows
that there is considerable interest being
manifested in the campaign here.
There would have been a much larg-
er crowd in the city had il been posi-
Bile for the New Martinsville people to
get enough cars. They had but two
and could have filled half a dozen. They
brought the band along. as did the Mid
dlebourne contingent. There were
about fifty up from New Matamoras
and friendly on horses.