Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-05
ssTo RAILROAD EMPLOYEES.
A CowaraIy and False Attack Upon
Judge w. G. Bennett.


Judge w. G. Bennett.
To the Editor OF the Register.
A cowardly eleventh-hour circular is
being circulated by the Republican
campaign managers addressed TO
Railroad Employees, the intention Of
which is to injure Hon. w. G. Bennett,
Democratic nominee for Judge Of the
Supreme Court.
1t charges that. Judge Bennett is a
stoekholder in the West Virginia &
Pittsburg railroad, now division of
the Baltimore & Ohio, and that par
ties who have had damage suits
against the road in his circuit would
mot risk the trial. OF their cases be-
fore Judge Bennett.
The Charge Absolutely False.
Judge Bennett was first elected Cir
cult Judge in 1883, Ten years prior
TO that time the citizens OF ClarkS-
burg and Weston subscribed the stock
10 build narrow guage railroad be-
tween those two points. Judge Ben
nett, then praeticing lawyer at Wes-
ton. subscribed for some stock in that
road. In 1890 the narrow gauge was
merged into the West Virginia &
Pittsburg, and that road extended as
a standard gauge from Clarksburg to
Camden on Gauley and the stock as
originally held in the narrow gauge
was carried into the West Virginia &
Pittsburg, and Judge Bennett in that
way became owner of the stock in the
later company. He endeavored to dis
pose OF this stock, but it was not mar
ketable. and he never found an oppor-
unity to dispose of it until about 1896,
when he did sell his stock and never
since that time has he had stock, or
any interest whatever, in said railroad
or any other railroad.
While Judge Bennett owned said rail-
road stock some damage suits were
brought in his circuit against the West
Virginia & Pittsburg railroad. and
when the first ana each subsequent
case was called Judge Bennett prompt
ly and very properly informed the at
torneys that as he held stock in the
company he would MOI try the case,
but that some other judge should be
selected for the trial. This was done
in several cases, and to say that the
litigaats did not risk the trial. before
( him as judge is maiiciously false. They
did not object. and w0uld NOT have OBJ
lected, to Judge Bennett trying their
case, but Judge Bennett knowing the
prophecies OF the situation, declined
TO act in those eases.
Judge Henry Brannon, also OF Yves
ton, in whose Interest if not at whose
instance. said circular was gotten up.
also held stock $1,000 worth-in the
narrow gauge road and in the West
Virginia 4 Pittsburg railroad and so
far as anybody knows he still owns
that stock; but some OF these very
suits in which Judge Bennett declined
to sit as circuit judge were taken to the
Supreme Court by the railroad COM
p2ny. Judgment having gone against
The company in the Circuit Court; and
Judge Brannon. as a judge OF the Su-
preme Court, sat In the trial OF every
one OF these cases, and every case was
reversed and decided in favor of the
railroad company.
Railroad men. beware of such cow
aroly and malicious attempts to poison
your minds against Democratic can
ddates Similar circulars are being
and win be aneaked into your hands
on the eve of the election, too late 70
afford an opportunity for their denial,
aimed against ether Democratic can
did8tes. They are absolutely false and
dare not stand in the Light Of public
ity, else they would have beon pro-
claimed either on the stump or in the
press, where the parties involved could
have had a chance TO meet them Read
carefully, they brand themselves as
falsehoods.
There is not a candidate on the Dem
f.tr. I'D no SO
or can be made the tool Of any cor
poration syndicate or trust Bear this
in mind whenever such sneaking. cow
ardly and lying circulars ere placed
in your hands. y. \. \.