Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-20
Special to the Register
WASHINGTON, d. c., Janua

sources in Washington convey the i'm
preston that the fight between the
Hon. Romeo H. Freer and the Hon. A.
B. White for the gubernatorial nominal
ton is one in which neither Senators
Elkins and Scott nor the other mem
bers of the Republican machine are
taking anything more than a passive
part. The reported eager and strenu-
Gus denial by Mr.. Freer that ne was
making q fight on Senator Eikins IS
hardly borne out by developments OF
the past few days.
An extended conference here Tues
day last among Mr.. White, the two
United States Senators from West Vir-
ginia and Governor Atkinson, resulted
in White receiving the benediction or
the machine and promise of the federal
support and assistance in a financial
way.
White will. it is believed, be able to
count on the active cooperation OF
Senator Scott. The time for Senator
Elkins own candidacy for reelection is
too near and he is too shrewd to take
sides openly. His work for White, who
is a close ally and friend, will be
among the party henchmen.
But that he will pass the word along
in favor of White and against Freer
there is no doubt. With Scott the case
is different. Scott may be surely count
ed upon
To Stand by White.
AS for Dovener and Dayton the fight
between Freer and White will be a
standoff. Dovener is a personal friend
of both and will remain aloof. Dayton,
who is a thorough machine man and
the spokesman of Elkins in the House,
will not openly espouse White because
Of the personal popularity of Judge
Freer in the Second district. Dayton's
majority in '98 was cut down six hum
bred. McGraw's chief point of attack
was the record of A. B. White, and
much of Dayton's loss was due to his
defense of White.
With Governor Atkinson the support
of White is simply a case of have to.
Atkinson has been promised the new
federal judgeship which he hopes Con-
gress will shortly create for West Vir-
ginia. In order that there may be no
hitch he needs popularity among the
voters far less than the support Of the
two United States Senators.
Representative Freer realizes that the
element now in control is against him
and for Write. He understands that
he can expec5 but cold sympathy from
the federal appointees throughout the
State.
In this connection it will not be de-
ried by Representative Freer that he
received the nomination for Congress
against the strenuous efforts of every
federal a%ppointee and every ring man
in his district, nor that he was knitted
at the polls in '9S by these people.
Representative Freer to-day went
over the situation with the representa-
tive Of the Register and spoke of his
chances.
81 have received" said he, "assur-
ances from my own district that l will
carry every county In it. From my
district l have received over two thous-
and letters and kilograms urging that
l take the nomination. From other
parts of the State l have received al
most an equal number Of letters and
dispatches.
about the Second district | have
no doubt. Next to my W territory,
my strength is greatest there.
In the Third District,
too, / am very strong. l anticipate no
trouble in carrying a majority of the
counties"
When asked about the First district,
Mr.. Freer acknowledged that for the
control of the delegates from Wheel
ing and Ohio county there would prob
ably be a struggle. From other por-
tions of the district his reports, he
states, have been most encouraging.
Il am aware of the nature of the
fight against me. l want to say this,
right here. The great, strong respect
able mass of the Republican party is
back of me in this fight. My friends
are among the miners, among the
farmers and among the laboring men.
My friends are not among the men of
great wealth who use their fortunes in
influencing men in high position. My
friends are among the great w~ell-to-do
class of Republican voters who desire
10 see a clean, honorable administra-
ton of the gubernatorial Office under
Republican auspices-they belong to
that class of
Men Whom Money Cannot Buy,
whom no campaign nor corruption
fund can touch.
x believe firmly that II the Repub-