The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-07-10

renounced his party and became a
candidate for congress of the Greedy
ties. 1t is related that he felt SO sure
Of success that he actually rented a
dwelling in Washington for the use
Of himself and family. But, he was
doomed to disappointment. Danford
defeated him with ease. Poormam re-
mained without the pale Of the Repub-
lican party for some few years, but
gradually drifted back within its lines
again and was finally received with
open arms. He was nominated for rep
resentative and served two terms from
Belmont county in the lower branch
OF the legislature. While serving in
this capacity he was appointed secre-
tary of state, to succeed Hon. Daniel
j. Ryan, who resigned the Office to take
a position as commissioner at the
Worlds fair. t
PUT ON THE TICKET.
This position gave him additional
prestige and in 1892, just twenty years
after he was defeated for the congress
sional nomination by Danford, he was
nominated for congress by the Repub-
licans of the Sixteenth district, the
convention being held at Steubenville
as 1t was on the former occasion. His
opponent on the Democratic ticket was
Judge A. J. Pierson, Of Woodsield.
Poorman was great campaign orator
and while he was away making
speeches in New York and Indiana
Judge Pierson put in the time swap
ping yarns, chewing tobacco and
whiting sticks among the villagers
and ruralites OF the district and Incl
dentally making votes.
JUDGE WON OUi.
When the ballots were counted 1t
developed the plebian judge had won
by the narrow margin of 38. Poor
mans Inconsistency to the Republican
party in former years was his undoing.
Although he had been in full accord
with his party for perhaps the pre-
vious 15 years his disloyalty in the
congressional fight 20 years before was
remembered and used against him.
The coloners defeat was a great
shock and disappointment to his loyal
friends and they tried to vindicate him
by securing the congressional nomina-
ton for him two years later. But old
Captain Danford concluded he would
like to be congressman again and SO
once more the pair were pitted against
each other. DaniOrd's hold on Belmont
county was too great for Poorman to
overcome and the latter secured two
thirds of the delegation.
HE BACKED DOWN.
It had been agreed before the dele
gates were seated that the candidate
securing a majority of the votes should
have all the delegates. Poorman re-
fused to live up to this understanding
and entered the convention with his
minority following. The convention
was held at Steubenville, lasting two
days and resulting in the nomination
OF Danford. Thoroughly disgusted
with his i'll success, Poorman again
renounced the Republican party and
became a supporter of Bryan and free
1
silver. He was writer of great pow
er and communicated many articles in
advocacy of Bryan in leading journals
of the state. He was the owner and
editor of the Bellaire Tribune which
he conducted for years as a staunch
Republican organ, but when he repud-
lated the party he had been affiliated
with for so many years, his paper
lost it's supporters and he was forced
to sell 1t and was really driven into
private life.
NOW A GARDENER.
He is at present living at SHADY
side" two miles south of Bellaire where
he is spending his declining days ir
raising garden truck. Colonel Poor
man in his day was considered one oi
the foremost men In public life II
Ohio. He was known far and wide