New-York tribune., 1904-08-05
WEST IgRGIyyl

one Of he most singular delusions of the
present campaign is the belief INDUCED in
by so many Democratic leaders that the nomi-
nation of Henry G. Davis for Vice President
has already shifted West Virginia from the Re
publican 10 tho Democratic column Since the
adjournment cf the Democrats National Con
ven;ion this conviction las found expression
in a hundred forms The Nev-York Tines
and The New-Nork Evening Post have both
assured their readers that West Virginia is at
present not even a doubtful" Stato-,hat it
nay be safely counted recaptured outpost
OF the solid South Ye, on it's face no claim
is mere nreposierous. 10 class West Virginia,
under present conditions. as a Democratic State
ss 'r2iabcw chasing pure and simple
From close State politically West Virginia
has become IN recent years firmly and stanchly
Republican. Democrats ascendancy ended and
ended naturally with she coming OF the new
era OF progress and ,nte-nal developr9ent. DAT
ing from the later SC's IA 1850 The Demo
cratic Presidential ticlet had n plurality OF
1l14s. In 1884 tae Presidential plurality fell
20 4.221. In 1855 It was almost wipcd out
Cleveland carrying tho State against Harrison
by only JOG votes. Even lie extraordinary re-
action of 1890 and The years following was
pOwerless 70 check the States drift toward Re-
pubncanism. Cleveland in 1892 got = plurality
of only 4.lT4. Two years later .he Republican
plurality for Representatives IN Congress WAS
1888. Ia the last zen years tho pluralities
given 20 Republican State and national candi-
dates have ranged from 1887 10 2i.022 In
lSeS-an or year The Republican Congress
ticket Aad net plurality Of 2.92T. Two yea g
ago-in another "on' vear-the net Republican
plurality IN the Congress districts vas I3. 30.
West Yirginia'S interests, symuatlies and as-
socialons arc normally and logically Rci,ahli-
cea. Growth and wealth have cone thro1,-n
an Industrial deyelopmen: fosterod br Re
publican national policies TIE Wi!sgu bill
framed by Nest lirrinian-GirucA q Vicious
blow AT TIE States chief inlust-r its author
was promptly driven cut OF politics. His party
.tc3fu H. iaa ,eh years Si-ca has been Oae OF
uo.adoice and deseat. No STATE i-i he Union
IS narc firmly committed th9n west Virginia
10 1he policy ~ protection. The Democratic G
f2-er:S', FOR liceH President, w.Icsc popularity.
:. IS asserted Si.l work a revolution I'm co.i-
Yes thiS rea-. is himself a pro,ectionist. Te
las been Zoo las "A figure IL The progress OF
tie les! 'wo decades not 10 realize what tie
S-Ese owes - ;he protective system. lIo is not
likely q &c ceeeiyed-if rainbow chasing" Ell
ihusiasis here n Sew-York areas 10 tie
strength Of tRriG sentiment among She West
Virginia voters. Nor can 70 seriously believe
mat to pay him an empty personal caniplimen,
.4s tealow citizens VIII ;eana-dize tier E-tat
industrial interests and help 70 pave the va-
FOR another Wilson hIll with coal. i-c3 and
lumber on the free list
Inc West Virginia of to-day les IN tho hcart
Ola great Republican section. Western Mar
lane. FennFyivaDia. Ohio. Eastern kenrnci,
ana Southwestern ylTsinis-ail Republlcan---si,,,
Iouna u. IL has drawn on them Cor its growth
q ses5eA Their ideas and interests. Is it Mkei.