Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-03-31
A Close state.

4
its six electoral votes, is likely to see some
of the sharpest fighting Of the coming
presidential campaign An active cam
vass is now making by the two Republi-
can candidates for the gubernatorial nom
inatlon. and upon its outcome much OF
the strength OF the Republican electoral
ticket is likely TO depend A. b. White
a federal Office holder, is the machine
candidate for the nomination, and the Ell
kins-Sco.t dynasty is trying hard to force
his nomination upon the party they
have the federal office holders of the
State diligently at work in his behalf
Representative Romeo H. Freer, OF the
Fourth district seems to be the peoples
choice, if the Republicans Of the State
could express their preferences. The con-
vention will meet in Charleston in May,
and the feeling is already bitter on the
two sides.
1t is possible that by having so early
convention this opposition on the part OF
which every wing is overborne may have
a chance TO subside before the November
balloting but at present it looks as If a
factional fight in the Republican ranks
were liable TO injure seriously the Repub-
lean chance of success. particularly il MIR.
White should be nominated. He repre-
sents the extreme Republicanism which
is often found in the border state region.
He was a great advocate of the force bill
several years ago, and of CORRESPONDENCE
drastic measures at other times. This puts
him out of favor with that element of the
border State population which like the
North and Republican ideas at large, but
dislikes the negro. 1t is that element
which has made West Virginia generally
Democratic. even though on the issues OF
the civil war il broke away from the
mother State and allied itself with the
North
Politically, West Virginia is rot wholly
unlike Pennsylvania, which it resembles
industrially in so many ways. The State
is rapidly filling up with rich operators OF
the Elkins stamp, who are coming the
natural resources, the mines. forces, for
ests, oil wells, and natural gas into gold;
and with these operators go the army OF
hardy laborers, many of whom are for
egners and little acquainted with Amer-
can traditions. Into the hands of the rich
operators and their employees the control
OF the State seems to be falling. There
are enough of the older inhabitants, how
ever. to contend with them for supremacy,
so that the State cannot be regarded as
the exclusive property Of either political
party. In 1893, OF the four representatives
in Congress, the Republicans elected three
and the Democrats one. but Of the three
districts the largest Republican plurality
xt,a nnlu nf total nj n
ooo 1t therefore appears that it would
be comparatively easy matter to dis
lodge the Republicans from their hold,
which dates from 1904.
Senator Elkins boom for the vice presi-
dency is somewhat related to these condi-
tons. Geographically, it would be out Of
order to pick the two candidates from adj
joining states like Ohio and West Virgin
ia, but Elkins has good reasons TO fear
that he cannot be reelected TO the Sem
ate, on account of the factional disturb
ance in his party, and the bad precedent
which the Scott case has created. He
would, accordingly, be willing to take the
vice presidency If he could get it.
To elect Scott, the Republicans had to
suspend from membership in the Legis-
ldluic just cllouSi DciiloSidts w give MIN
majority The United States Senate,
in looking over the case. decided that it
must adhere to its -honored practice
not to inquire into the validity of the cleo
ton of the members of the Legislature,
and so Mr.. Scott. as has been generally
predicted, will be undisturbed in his seat.
Only one man (Pettus, OF Alabama,)
favored further hearing. The real bear
ing of the case will come with the Legis-
lature that has Elkins successor to elect.
The Democrats almost invariably con-
troll the lower house, and as that is a
larger body than the Senate they can out
play the Republicans IN suspending MEM
bers of the opposition party concerning
whose election they profess to be in
doubt. The United States Senate will be
compelled to refuse to go into the matter
Of the primary elections, and so ii looks
as if Mr.. Elkins, unless there is tidal
wave of Republicanism, will have some
difficulty in getting back to the Senate.
His term of Office expires on March 4.
This would be just the time when the
vice-presidency would "come in handy"
but unfortunately the Elkin's boom has
failed to attract popular support.