Evening star., 1900-10-15
West Virginia Legislature, However,
May Be Democratic.
FIGHT IN REPUBLICAN, RANKS
The Greatest Detection is in Kan
awha County.
CLAIMS OF BOTH PARTIES


MORGANTOWN, w. Va, October II. 1900.
There is only difference of about 10000
between the estimates of Chairman Daw-
son of the republican state committee and
Chairman Miller of the democratic commit
tee. The former claims that President Nc
Kinley will carry West Virginia by 1900 to
1900. Chairman Miller is not sanguine,
and says that his ticket will win in the
mountain state by 1900. The truth is, the
democrats have practically abandoned all
hope Of carrying the state for Bryan or the
state democratic ticket. This information
is direct, and is authentic.
All the energies and efforts of the demo-
cratic state committee are being concen-
trated upon the legislative fight and the
contests in the second and third congress
sional districts. The republicans have ac-
complished a great deal during the past
week. They have received favorable intel
ligence from many quarters where they had
not expected good news. The tide of Nc
kinley sentiment in West Virginia is sweep
ing all before it. If the republicans could
feel as sure OF electlng a majority of the
legislators upon their ticket in this state
as they are Of the triumphant majority
which President Mckinley will receive
then there would be less anxiety felt among
the leaders.
The condition Of affairs in Kanawha coun-
ty and the third district has grown steadily
worse during the past few days. There is
a powerful element working against the
county ticket In Kanawha county, and the
capital is the center of much political ami
mostly A prominent republican, holding a
Star correspondent that Ex-Governor Mac
Corkle and Judge ]. B. Lewis, democratic
candidates for the legislature in that coun-
ty, were almost sure to be elected. The
chances are fair, he said for the election of
the entire democratic ticket in Kanawha,
which, II 1t happens, means the loss of the
legislature to the republicans. The fac
Is assuming large proportions.
Antagonism to the County Ticket.
One can hardly conceive the real condi-
ton of affairs in the republican family
down in the capital and few surrounding
counties which have caught the fever.
There is open rebellion against the county
ticket, and the feeling is said to extend to
the candidacy of Senator Elkins for re-
election. Men high in official life are openly
doing all they can in opposition to the
ticket, and are devoting hours of time and
much money toward electfng the demo-
cratic ticket The republican manag gers are
powerless to check the antagonism. Even
Senator Elkins, who paid a visit to Charles
ton, was unable to get the dissatisfied ele-
ment In line. The movement Is sprea ding
and has even come up far as this second
congressional district. The coal operators
along the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad in
this state are said to openly oppose all Of
the republican ticket, except President Nc
Kinley and governor Roosevelt. Joseph B.
Beury has withdrawn from the electoral
ticket. Thomas j. McKell. the wealthiest
operator on New river, is said to be openly
opposed to the ticket. He has been Uromi-
nent in republican affairs. The leaders are
distressed. and are willing to make any
concessions to the men who are out of line
II they will withdraw their support from
the democratic ticket down there.
Ex-Governor Mace 'Orkle and the ChtJtona
forming law firm of prominence at
Charleston, are leading the democracy in
the third district. and it is said upon In
disputable authority that many republican
officeholders are very close to these dis
tingushed men in their effort to carry the
legislature for the democrats. One natur-
ally asks the cause for all this factional
disturbance. There is no direct reason ap-
parent. 1t is the same old story of disap-
pointment in the division of the spoils Of
offices. The leadership Of the republican
party in West Virginia has been in safe
and judicous hands, but some persons have
become dissa tisfied.
The republicans may be able to lose Ka-
nawha county and still carry the legisla-
ture. This is part of the news which has
been received so joyfuly at republican
he adquarters in Parkersburg, along with
the dtscOuraging news from Charleston.
In Calhoun, Peasants and Raleigh
the republicans have great hopes
Of electing members of the legislature.
Those counties have heretofore been demo-
cratic.
Many Democrats for Mckinley.
The unprecedented change Of sentiment
this year among old-time democrats is
positively wonderful, and is going to figure
in the result in this state.
There is hardly any doubt that Chairman
Dawson's figures for a majority of 1900
are really warranted. when the facts are
considered. Hundreds of democrats are
no tn yyntn tha finyat i,, l,;s
state, upon the good times proposition
alone. They are outspoken about their
change of sentiment, and no amount of
persuasion will coax them into
line. They are among the farming ele-
ment and the common day laborers chiefly.
If it were not for the family quarrels so
to speak, the republicans would no doubt
sweep West Virginia by 25.OO0. Many
prominent republicans, including Frank Cox
of the governors staff, have actually made
predictions for that large a plurality for
President Mckinley in this state.
There is great displeasure felt among the
in northern West Virginia over
the action of the republicans in Kanawha
county. They feel that to sacrifice Sena-
tor Elkins this year by electing a demo-
cratic legislature, on account of their local
strifes, would be a sad mistake.
The citizens In the southern end OF the
state play politics with great earnestness,
as may be imagined when it is said that
$50, 600 will represent the sum spent in Ka-
nawha county alone by election day. The
bulk of the campaign funds of both parties
is being put in the third district fight This,
according to men in the second district,
is to the detriment of Mr.. DaytOns cause
and candidacy up here.
The attendance at many Of the great raj
lies this week has been remarkably poor.
1t would indicate that apathy was return
ing. One thing is quite evident. the nation
al committees have not sent any very able
orators to West Virginia. The speakers
have not been noted, except the democratic
and republican presidential and vice presi-
Dental candidates who have entered the
state at different times.
These have failed. to a surprising degree,
to attract much attention. However. Roose-
Welt has not made his visit. but is to come
next week. Mr. Stevenson's trip this week
was quite q failure, and the crowds were
small everywhere he spoke. From present
indications Gov. Roosevelt will be more
cordially received, yet West Virginia audi
ences this year are tickle.
Col. Davis DissappOints Politicians.
Col. Tom Davis, candidate for Congress
In this district has incurred the displeas-
ure of some of the politicians In certain
counties by not contributing as literally as
they would have him. He believes in do
mating funds to close counties, 1t is said,