Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-04-24
INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION
And Friendly Contention Marks the
Political Situation In Wood

PARKERSBURG, w. Va, april 20.
i have found no place in the state
of West Virginia where the political
issues between the two dominant par
ties are being more intelligently and
more earnestly discussed tina in the
county of Wood. Although this
ty has always been noted for Jenerso-
MAN Democracy; and IN no campaign
since the organization OF this party
have the advocates of these prlncl-
pals ever been brought to the point
of sustaining them in all of their orig
inal purity. Imperialism to-day with
these Democrats is the Imperialism OF
the day of the Declaration of indie
pendence. 1t was opposed to u re-
publican form of government then, and
it is opposed to it now.
The money of the Constitution of the
United States is the money advocated
by these Democrats to-day. The GRIM
inal breach of faith by the present adj
m~inistration with the Puerto Ricans is
honestly condemned and branded as a
crime which will remain with the
American people SO long as the his
tory of our country remains. The
slaughter of our allies, the Filipinos,
is claimed to be in every instance a
murder chargeable to the present adj
miniStration.
All of these questions are most in
diligently discussed by the members
of the party with whom it has been
my pleasure to converse.
1t is claimed that the disaffection
in the Republican ranks will insure
a Democratic victory in this county
in the coming election. Many of
them can be heard advocating identi-
cally the same principles so far as i'm
perialism and the imposition of tax
upon Puerto Rican products is con-
cerned as those of the Democratic
party.
Mr.. Lamb. an oil man and a life
long Republican, said he had never
voted for a Democrat in his life, but
if the Puerto Rican tariff bill was
passed he would vote a straight Dem
ocratic ticket and he is only III of
many who have expressed themselves
in the same manner.
At no time and in no place have
l ever heard Democrats more earnest
in their declarations and determine
tons to stand by the party which is
attempting to maintain inviolable the
Constitution of the United States.
There seems to be no question but
that the delegates from Wood will
cast a solid vote for the Hon. l.. N.
Tavenner for Governor. He seems to
be their choice Independent of the
fact that he Is a Wood county man..
Judge Tavenner has a strong follow
ing in the old soldier element through
out the county and it is conceded by
many that he will carry the county
easily. l have heard no other candi-
date for the Democratic nomination
for Congress from the Fourth Con-
~gressional district except MI. Henry
S. Wilson, and the general impression
seems to be that he will receive the
solid delegation of this county.
For the Senate there are a number
of candidates. Those whose names 1
have heard most prominently men
toned is the present incumbent, Sen
ator c. D. Dotson, and Col. Wolver-
ton, of Parkersburg, and Clyde John
son, of Peasants. All of these gen
and one thing which is noticeable is
that there are no unchafitable reiec-
tons being cast upon any of these
gentlemen by their opponents or their
followers. In other words. 1t. seems
to be a friendly contest between them
for the nomination.
There are several gentlemen whose
names have been mentioned in con-
nection with the Democratic National
Convention, and the general impress
sion seems to be that this county will
give it's vote to Judge J.. G. McCluer.
The friends of the respective candi-
dates for this position as delegate to
the National Convention, are present.
ing their claims in a friendly but
earnest manner.
A well organized movement is on in
the East on the part Of the Gold Dem
ocrats to capture the delegates to the
National Democratic Convention at
Kansas City in July. The Register
being recognized as the organ of the
Democratic party of the State, it is
the universal opinion of the gentle
men whom | have interviewed, that a
warning should be given to the DEM
ocrats, not only of this district, but
of the entire State, of a danger which
threatens u party. There is no
question, from many signs which can
not be ignored and from which only
one conclusion can be drawn, and that
is that those Democrats who are hos
tile TO the nomination of Mr.. Bryan
on account of his silver views, will
make a strenuous effort to capture
the delegates from this SUE to the
coming National Convention. Some
claim in the interests of Senator Cor
man, of Maryland. others of Admiral
George Dewey. And they insist that
we should take no chances in this
matter, but should only select and
send such men as are known to have
positive and confirmed convictions on
the questions which will become the
issues in the fall campaign. The men
who lined up for Bryan four years
ago, who made that magnificent fight
against great odds, are not willing and
ready to turn over the organization
OF their party to those who contrib
uted so much to our defeat in The
election of 1896. They say they will
be glad TO receive them back into the
Democratic fold, but not as leaders
Tor the present, but as co-workers TO
the end of success. If we are not
vigllant men may be sent as as dele
gates who may betray Mr.. Bryan and
the principles that our people now
hold sacred under the present organ
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