Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-31
CAMPAIGN IN WEST VIRGINIA
THE WORK OF THE POLITICIANS
FAIRLY UNDER WAY.
Conference OF Republican Leaders In
Charleston-Mr. John r. McGraw
Predicts Democratic Success.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

MORGANTOWN, w. Va. August 31.-If
West Virginia had thirty-six electoral votes
instead Of the six that she has the country
would take no greater interest In the cam
paign here. which may now be said to be
fairly under Roadway. 1t is the element Of
doubt pervading the situation in West vir-
ginia that makes the battle Of so much in
terest. The congressional tickets are COM
plete. the first district democrats having
nominated T. Moore Jackson of Clarks-
burg as the opponent of Representative
Dovener. republican. The week has been
one OF maneuve1ng. planning, consulting
and outlining by the leaders in both par
ties. Tomorrow the guns will be fired
simultaneously in nearly every county by
imported speakers, representing the two
great parties. 1t will be two months Of
the hottest campaigning the state has ever
witnessed The stakes are the United
States senatorship. the electoral votes, the
congressional honors and the control OF the
state house patronage.
Meeting of Leaders.
There was an important meeting of re.
publican leaders at Charleston during the
week. A. B. White, the nominee for gov
ernor; Chairman w. NJ. o. Dawson of the
executive committee, Joseph Holt Gaines,
United States district attorney and congress
sional nominee in the third district; Major
service man; Captain John K. Thompson,
United States marshal for West Virginia;
Charley Caldwell of Parkersburg the "Bill
Nye OF West Virginia. and many others Of
prominence attended the Charleston caucus
Ihey discussed the question of securing
funds, which is a serious one with the re-
publicans. Senator Elkins is making a
personal appeal to many wealthy West Vir-
ginia manufacturers for campaign con-
tr1Dutions, and Is said to be meeting with
poor success: The manufacturers believe
the state will go for Mckinley, and that
confidence has made them tighten their
purse strings.
The Cancellation Reached.
These republican leaders came to one con-
clusion. which was that the state must be
stirred from one end to the other, and that
soon. That the apathy In the party must
be removed and that several thousand dol
lars must be put into the empty treasury
very soon. Chairman Dawson is quoted
authoritatfvely as having made a very
urgent appeal to the leaders for the carry
Ing out OF these points and is said to have
spoken very gravely Of the situation and
republican outlook. He pointed out the
splendid condition Of the democratic or
ganization. and urged all Of the leaders to
go home and bestir the minor leaders and
the people. Chairman Dawson believes that
the republican ticket will be victorious, but
not without great rallying of the forces.
Maj. Elliott has Travelled the state during
the month in the interests of the republican
committee and Senator Elkins. He believes
the outlook to be promising for the party.
The Democrats Mt Work.
The democrats have put in a busy week.
They held a great meeting at Hinton, in
the third district, and. have arranged for
many more during the month They de-
clare that the third district will re-elect
Judge David E. Johnston by an increased
majority, and that Col. Tom Davis is gain
ing ground in the second. Three WELL
known statesmen are announced to deliver
speeches in the state during September for
the democrats. They are Representative
John j. Lentz of Ohio, Jos. w. Bailey of
Texas and Charles K. Wheeler Of Ken
lucky. John T. McGraw is giving the cam
paign nearly all Of his time and attention.
He returned to Deer Park today from a
tour through southern West Virginia. He
Is a most prudent man when it comes to
making predictions. He declares, however,
with great emphasis, that the democrats
will carry the state and elect the United
States senator. When asked II that man
would be himself he smiled and said that
would be matter to settle after the legis-
lature assembled.
Mr.. McGraw's Views.
eff the democrats win in West Virginia,
what will be the cause?" was asked Of
Mr. McGraw.
There is a great change Of sentiment"
replied the Croker of West Virginia,
''among the laboring people in this state
We will have a great many colored votes
we never received before and another cause
for our victory will be the apathy and care
Iessness among the republicans them
selves
Before starting for Maine to make
speeches Gov. Atkinson said this: 'West
Virginia was republican safely four years
ago and is today II We get our voters in
terested. There will be a gain of IL per
cent in voters, according to the new CEN
sus, / predict, ard the republicans will
have three-fourths of the gain But unless
our men arouse the masses and get down
to work the situation is grave enough from
q republican outlook"