The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-11-19

bates between Goft and Wilson wv.
Id. the people of the state shaken
from center to circumference by the
conflict. Republican victory was i'll
the air. Golf was destined to win.
Everybody felt it-and he did win
But he didn't win the Legislature. The
Republican party was one vote shy.
Not very much. but just as g0od-o:
as bad-as being short fifty votes,
The Democrats with that slight mar"
gin used it to make the margin Wild
or 1t seated u few men of their par
ty who hadn't been elected, and like
wise decided that their candidate
who hadn't been elected, had beer.
And this is probably how all OF
that happened. Tie Republican
scheme became known. The Demo
Gratis appealed to their scattering
ranks to stand by their ticket, The?
said that II they voted for Golf, they
would not be getting him for GOV
crnor. but they would be getting
somebody else, and nobody could tel!
who, for, under the law then, til"
president Of the state senate would
succeed to the governorship. and no.
body on earth could fOresee who that
would be, but It would be some Re-
publican whom Democrats needn't
feel like honoring, etc. etc. Col:
would be United States senator By
reason of Democratic votes cast Tor
him for governor-and more OF the
same along the same line.
You car readily surmise that That
touched of bombslIell in the midst
Of the Republican brigadiers, us well
as in the camp occupied by the "N'
cited, enthusiastic hosts OF that par
~. 1t exploded late in the campaign
but it played such havoc, that II had
to be met. There were conferences
Mt which all sorts of schemes to he"d
this denoucmcnt Off were suggested
and outlined. Finally, it was Cor
himself who agreed to meet II as II
should be met. II was the last thing
he desired to do in his heart. ne
doubt. but ii seemed the only ching
to do. He would make the sacrifice:
and he offered up himself with TIE
same heroic patriotism he Showdc MS
hoy commander in the army, whcN |
he wrote President Lincoln from HIS
prison cell, when he heard that he
was held as a hostage for the SAFETY
Of a Confederate prisoner OF equal
rank who seemed certain TO be "X-
ccutcd. that his (GOE'S) lie was IN
significant when compared to the I'm"
ion cause, and II it would ncIp ".-
the cause no heed should be given
for his position nor safety. It was
but an incident and atom OF war.
Golf was willing to take the gov
rrnOrship, and ready to say so, II II
would make any Surcr the success OF
the scheme of the party leaders Tl"y
doubted that It would, or, at least,
whether at this late hour, IL was nee
cSsary to receive such sacrifice
from their gallant leader. TheY lcIt
assured of success, and felt inclined
tn believe that what such an an
nounccmGnt would gain on the one
hand it would likely lose on til"
other, and they figured it a standon
whichever way, and victory assured.
Whatever the real reasons held IN
diydually and collectively which
caused the decision, the change IN
the plans were not made. anil in due
time came the election with It's dt-
yidcd victory. which that Dcmocrati"
legislature made a whole victory by
handing over the governorship to ~
&, Fleming, the candidate opposing
GOii
Now you see what might have hap
pcnrd in the politics Of West NlF-
vmia If? Go to it, 1t Is fine sub
jcct for All argument; none better
for there isn't ono chance IN DlI-
lion of finding the correct answer