Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-27
SECRET endorsements.
REPORTED THAT THERE WILL BE
A CHANGE IN METHODS OF
THE ONE HUNDRED.
COMMITTEE IS NOT PLEASED
With the Results in the Primary
Elections of BOT Political Parties.
SheriT-EIect TWINS Appointments
AnnOunced-Local Political News
and Notes of Genera Interest.

1t is understood that the Committee
! OF One Hundred has been called to meet
tonight, and it is given out quietly
that the Committee will probably pro-
coed in executive session. 1t is very
likely that the Committee will decide
upon a radical change in its methods.
The One Hundred endorsement did
not have the desired effect at the pri-
mary elections, and many prominent
members of the Committee are favora-
BILE to proceeding secretly in the mat
ter of endorsing candidates for the
general election in January.
1t is a well known fact that the en-
dorsement of the Committee was fear
ed by candidates, than it was
sought. Particularly was this true
among Republican candidates after
the Democratic primary. Candidates
who were defeated for Council in
many instances blamed the Commit
tee for their defeat.
1T is not as satisfactory a state of
affairs as we would DESIRE" said 4
member of the Committee to a Reg
lister reporter, ''yet we elected a great
many of the candidates whom we en-
dorsed. There are several reasons
for this. One is the impression that
a man carrying the Committees en-
dOrsement, is in some mysterious way
| pledged to a sort of P~uritanical ad-
ministration of city affairs. The
Committee is composed of liberal
| minded citizens, and 10 radical steps
are contemplated. 1t was simply the
desire to correct existing abuses, and
to bring about an enforcement OF the
laws, while at the same time electInS
capable men to control the CITY gov
eminent. Another trouble was the
confusion of this movement with the
Federation of Churches. The two
are distinct and Independent OF each
other.
Il think members of the Commit
tee will decide to make their en-
dorsements for the general election
absolutely secret. There are one hun
dred members, and if each can per-
suade ten voters to cast their ballots
for clean candidates, the Committee
Call COlLlOI Tic Dd1dACC VI PO"NA, 0A
can certainly work much more effec-
lively than through public endorse
ment.'
Members of the Federation Of
Churches do not attempt to conceal
their disappointment over the failure
to elect the candidates endorsed Dy
the Committee of One Hundred.
The Rev. Gregory Bleakley, pastor
of the Wesley M. E. church, said: Il
really don't think the Committee
should have publicly endorsed candi-
dates before the Republican primaries,
and thereby injure their chances
through antagonizing certain ele-
ments. 1t was but fair, however, af-
ter endorsing Democratic candidates"
The Rev. R. R. Bigger, pastor of the
Third Presbyterian church, said: If
I had my way, none of the endorse
ments would have been made public
in the first place. In the future the
| Committee will work secretly, and
this plan will prove more effective"
The Rev. C. M. Oliphant, pastor of
the First Christian church, said: Il
am we'll pleased with some of the re-
suits achieved by the Committee of
One Hundred, but very much disap-
pointed in some respects"