The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-29
A GALLANT FIGHT PUT UP
By the Opposition, But They Were
Beaten all Along the Line,
and Are Now Engaged
IN ENTHUSlNG FOR DAYTON.
The Story in Detail Of the Largest
Convention Ever Held in
the Second District,
rrcm a stan correspondenee.

From a STAFF Correspondence.
TERRA ALTA. w. Va, June 2S.-For
the fourth consecutive time AlstOn
Gordon Dayton. of the county of Bar
bour, is named the Republican stand
ard bearer in the Second congressional
district of West Virginia, successful
over a field of three, and easy shedding
at that. The expectation that Messrs.
Meredith. Holt and Pitzer would give
the ollttle giant" stin argument was
not realized, and Mr.. Dayton's estimate
to the Intelllgencer wednesday night
was practically correct. The hops of
the opposition was that they would be
able to prevent Dayton's nomination on
the first ballot, and that then there
would be a break in the Congrcssman's
forces, after which the opposition would
unite on one of the trio, probably Mere
dlth. 1t was pretty programme, but
1t has leaked out since the convention
that instead of Daytons forces going to
pieces after the first ballot, it is more
likely that some of Meredlth's and
Hollis people would have broken away
and voted for the Barbour man. AS n
matter OF fact, all OF Dayton's strength
did not figure in the first ballot; he
claimed and is now conceded to have
had Mineral and Grant solid, but tina
vote in those counties was held back,
and when It was seen that THAR vot2J
we're not needed for Dayton they were
split up between Dayton, Pltzer and
Meredith. Before the changes began to
pour in, Dayton's vote was 14l, and add.
ing to this figure the votes that hg
really had in Grant and Mineral gives
him just the 1853 that Mr.. Dayton said
to the Inteligencer the night before the
convention that he would have.
A Gallant Fight.
The opposition put up a gallant fight,
but defeat was their lot all along the
line. The Meredith people, In particu-
lar were aggressive, and 1t is u state
secret that they had Mr.. Dayton guess,
ing before the convention got in its
work. The first fight of the day occur
red In the congressional committee,
which met in the morning to select the
temporary officers Of the convention.
Here by a vote OF seven to four, the
choice Of the paytonites, Mr. Tracy L.
Jerers, was slated for the craftsmanship,
over the oppositIon's candidate, ex-
Senator William G.. Worley. The next
clash was at the meeting OF the COM
mlttea on permanent Organization,
which ruled by majority of six to
three to make the temporary organiza-
ton permanent. Emmett showalter de-
clared his intention to present a minori-
~ report. with Senator Worley's stand
ard nailed at the masthead, but he
withdrew from this intention uron re-
ceivIng information that Mr.. Jeffers
was eminently a square man, who
would favor neither side. Then came
the ballotIng, and as county after coun-
ty voted for Dayton. carrying out the
c0ngressman's claims and smashing
those Of the opposition leaders. 1t began
to be realized that the Jig was up.
Finally Preston voted nearly her entire
strength for Dayton, giving him the
nomination without the votes OF two
counties. Even here, showalter was
game. and demanded poll OF Preston
upon receiving information that dele
gate had voted for Pitzer ana that the
vote had not been reported to the con-
yeuiIon. This was stralghteEed out,
but the tide toward Dayton could not
BE- stemmed, and nothing remained but
10 make II unanimous. which the oppo-
si,l5n did with grace and alacrlty
Enthused for the Nominee.
After the convention, everybody got
together and enthused good and hard
iaF the nominee. and tho expressed de-
termination Of the Second district Re-
pnbIIcans is 70 re-elect Mr.. Dayton by
the largest majority hn has received in
three successive victorious contests
with the common enemy.
The Monongalia folks deny the story
going the rounds that the Dayton peo-
pie are 70 support Frank Cox, OF Nor
gantown for Congress in 1902 IN return
for tha solid twenty-ssven Monongalia
put IN for the congressman to-day.
There was no deal OF any kind, declare
W. p Glassoocls and Or. Fitch.
In addition TO the several candidates
for auditor who attended the conven-
Ton, Tom McDougaI, Of cerpdo one Of
the asplrants for state treasurer, and
George Poftenbargcr. Of Point Pleasant,
candidate for supreme Judge. were on
the scene.
The FaIrmont hand. which is solemn
ly declared not to be the worst that ever
happened intended to glve Congress-
man Dayton n farewell serenadc at tho
fullrUud Htott,,, a., f,.afts.. H.. A.. t....