Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-17
APATHY IN WEST VIRGINIA
NOT MUCH INTEREST TAKEN IN
POLITICS NOW,
Committeeman of Both Parties Try
ing to Arouse Enthusiasm-A
SenatOrship Prize.
Special Dispatch TO The Evening Star

SpcSiai biSpdtcu 10 ne Evening Star,
MoRGANTOWN. W. Va, August H.
Inc West Virginia political campaign has
been formally opened by Mr.. A. B. White.
canoioate Tor governor on the republican
ticket' and Judge John H. Holt who is at
tue mead OF the democratic state ticket
Judge Holt made his first speech a fort
night ago, and Mr.. White opened this week
In Nicholas county. The two state commit
tees nave been doing hard work for a
month, but the voters and public have not
peeh aroused There Is a singular condition
OF apathy existing among the masses in re-
gard to politics. Usually in a campaign year
the voters of West Virginia are thoroughly
interested in politics by August l, and pub
lie gatherings are largely attended. 1t is
not the case this year. The attendance at
public meetings has been unusually small
Neither party can boast of having any yery
large or enthusiastic audiences at its
rallies.
Committeeman Not Idle.
But the campaign committees do not in
tend that this apathy shall continue. Every
device known to the campaigners is being
adopted to interest the West Virginia farm
ers, laborers, professional and business men.
W lille the voters have SO far shown but lit
tie interest in political matters, 1t is pre-
dicted that by the middle of September the
state will be thoroughly aroused from one
end to the other. The members of the two
state committees have not been idle Chair
man j. II. Miller of the democratic state
cotnlnittee mas established headquarters at
charleston, and branches at Parkershure
and Deer Park, Md. Chairman VIM. M. q
Dawson of the republican committee has
opened headquarters at Parkersburg with a
pranch at Charleston. and both men have
employed a large force of assistants stan
ographers. clerks and typewriters. Tons of
literature are being prepared for distrjbu
t,on through the mails. Men are travelling
through every county in the state for both
committees, listing the individual voters
No Predictions Mt This Time
There is lack Of confidence amonp tho
leaders. This is an unusual condition II
Is seldom difficult to secure an exnress,on
from political leaders of hopefuluess for
the success Of their party. Neither Chair
man Dawson. for the republicans. nor
Chairman Miller, for the democrats, is max
ing any claims. They have been so quoted
but they really decline to give any figures
Both OF these recognized leaders of the two
parties in West Virginia are anxious to
win. They are in the fight to win. hut
they decline to go on record this early
with any claims for party triumph There
Is nothing lacking to make 1t the greatest
campaign West Virginia ever had Thou
sands of dollars for campaign EXPENSES q 70
at the disposal of both committees. Sneak
ers who are famed throughout the land
have been scheduled to stump the state
When the farmers have finished their har-
vest they will lay down their implements
and flock to the towns to hear the speeches
and imbibe the enthusiasm.
The senatorship the Prize.
There is sufficient doubt about the result
in November to make the contest yery
spirited and interesting. Senator Stephen B.
Elkins has SO far not aroused any opposi-
ton to his candidacy for reelection as
senator, and will likely be supported unan-
imously by the republicans in the legisla-
ture. Col. John T. McGraw, a member of
the advisory committee Of the national dem
| ocratic committee will again ask his party
to support him for the United States SEN
ate 1t Is intimated that Henry G. Davis
and Judge John II. Holt may oppose Col.
McGraw In his ambition. The senatorship is
the greatest prize in view this year, and
the struggle to secure control. of the legis-
| lature is receiving more attention from the
leaders of both parties that the gubernato-
rial or congressional tickets. Conditions have
arisen In several counties which make a
forecast Of legislative results entirely i'm
possible at this time. Next week the cam
paign will open in earnestvthroughout the
interior counties