The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-12-04
HOW THE NELLY FIASC0 STRIKES
THE WASHINGTON POLITICIANS

, man did not evidently find AZ necessa-
~ from the evidence given to change
the intention that he had all along
that Is. TO recommend the appoint
ment OF Mr.. Irwin The Intelligencer
said three weeks ago, and more, that
Mr.. Irwin would get the appointment,
and II repeated the prediction with
absolute posltiveness.
Politicians here have been eager to
learn the news Of Major Neely's more
or less spectacular methods OF plum
distribution. His way OF doing IL has
been a prime topic of interest on the
part of the West Virginia contingent.
Very few agreed with his plan. Old
and experienced politicians that they
are. they had seen this sort OF thing
tried many times before. and they
couldn't recall single incident
wherein II failed to get the appoint
ing power into a lot of trouble. ard.
more frequently than not stirred up
such factiOnal conflict as TO subse-
quently cause the retirement from
Congress of the fellow who tried II
on. While those friendly to Mr..
Nicely fervently hope that this is not
the fate awaiting him. they are fear.
full. As the poet so beautifully
sang, said one. 1T Is a sad. sad
world"
Only Invited Trouble.
These experienced hands al the
game are inclined to say Il told you
So when they read OF Mr.. Neely's &C.
cumulated postmastership troubles
Some Of them did 20 so far as TO ad-
wise promp appointment when death
caused the vacancy. The putting on
policy did not appeal TO them. They
had seen II worked before. and couldn't
remember that any good ever came
from II. On the contrary. their ex-
perience had taught them that postpon-
ing the parceling OF patronage due
was merely Inviting a host OF troubles
and storing them up for the future
The day was bound 10 come when they
would rise like plague. and a perfect
~ good and promising politician would
ind himself outside the congressional
halls looking ln They urged in the
most persistent and friendly way that
Mr.. Neely make the appointment at
once ana get e over with. Their coun-
sci was not followed. and thereby
hangs the tale Of Congressman Neeiys
present avalanche Of troubles
rragic and pregnant with political
portents a. the episode az Wheeling
WNrf NNAN NNNHf whose personal Iuf-
tunes were Affected BY % can think or
discuss 10 without being amused. To
the selfish and Indifferent politicians
here the whole thing o. looked upon
as a ripping POLITICAL farce comedy.
and they are enjoying a good deal OF
laughter from 81. n may be- n serious
matter 20 the congressman and 10 the
corporais guard Of local patriots who
lost out. but everybody else curiously
interested IN Dc d. setting a lot Of fun 4
out Of g.
The Lsughabie Part
The newspaper accounts OF Major
Neely.s excited exit from the confer ]
cnce 20 cvade the pestilentiai report .
err bis feint 40 boarding train for Z
Fairmont. whereas he dashed through /
the train shed. jumped into a high /
powered automobile and was whisked /
10 the suburban residence Of John A. /
Howard. was The apex n dramatic .
theatrlCallsm and the climax Of mys-
tery reached. which has resulted in a T
curtain call here From this end 90 L. l
the most laurhabie part Of the play.
Then. too. Major Noely's attitude
toward tho intclliEencer o. criticised /
b. the old timers a. tcnding to be- /