The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1903-09-02
SOME POLITICAL GOSSIP.
Politics Beginning to Attract
Much Attention
Nominating Conventions Are
Long Way Oir-Soms of the Lead
ing Candidates for Various Positions
and How Their chances Look.

While it is a year and two months
until the next political election in
West Virginia, the aspiring Repub
licans are as busy as If conventions
were to be held next Christmas day.
The Democrats are biding their
time.
The Gubernatorial race has more
entries than the Senatorial, with
smaller stakss. One can imagine
the starters already in the stand and
the candidates at the post. Dawson,
and Dorr, Teter and Swisher, and
bunch of others believe they can see
first money. Dark horses are being
groomed in the stables.
Caldwell appears to have better
mount at this juncture than Senator
Scott, although the latter has had
colors that he thought would not
fade although he expects them to
run scott, OF course, has his
official constituency and many news
papers back of him, having lost a
few since his election. Caldwell's
mount has been steady gamer,
overcoming handicaps. Governor
White is seriously believed by many
political thinkers to have had a
falling out with the Scott stable
boys and it is thought that his
friends may use some dope when the
start is made.
These same persons say quietly
among themselves that Governor
White will be candidate before the
joint assembly for the Senatorial
toga of his erstwhile friend, but his
handicap is the opposition of cor
porations recently developed by the
taxation troubles. At least the
White jockeys are not likely to wear
the Scott colors at any stage OF the
race.
The unexpected fling at Dawson
by prominent Republican news
papers is the surprise OF the hour.
Without the journals of lis party,
even with the machinery OF the
party behind him, it is thought
Dawson cannot even win third
money or show for place. "He has
had enough" "He 10 rich from spoils
OF ofllce;' He must give way for
younger get Always are some of
the opinions Of the touts. 1t has
always been his one ambition to win
the Gubernatorial futurity in West
Virginia and he has hosts of friends
who wish for his success. Teter has
the Dayton following in the Second
District and Charley Dorr has a
roundup of hackers at"five to three"
over the state. Swlsher has a
following.
Mononga.ia county, for the first
time in years. has some mounts in
the field which look good to the
average bookmaker and the dope
sheets give them a good rating.
Frank Cos's strong frank open
avowal of his supreme judgeshlp
candidacy was received with unex-
peeted favor generally throughout
the state as well as at home, and
long odds are offered on his colors
Preston and other neighbonng eoun-
ties are going to buy pools on the
Cox mount literally. George G..
Sturgiss has never spoken the word
about further political ambitions,
and maybe he will not consent to
enter any Of the free tor alls. But
his friends, and they are legion, say
he is good Senatorial. Gubernatorial
or Congressional timber, and this
feeling is strong with the ringside
bettors. Keep your eye on Sturgiss
as dark horse on any of the first
class entries.
Col. Joseph H. McDermott, "Joe,"
as his friends Fare won't to call him
at home,-is a candidate for state
senate and the book makers are
playing him for a favorite. With
Taylor and Marion, Col. McDermott
is as strong as IN Monongalia, and
that's pretty strong. Capitalists,
laborers, oil men, politicians, rich
and poor, black and white, have
nothing to urge against Co., Joe and
when New DOMINION reporter ask
ed him if his candidacy is fact he
said; eff boys want me to succeed
Senator Robinson, / will be candi
date" 1t looks as if the "boyse do,
and stronger powers than the boys
look at the fact that he is not only
a popular candidate but will make
strong. useful member of the Senate.
The Democrats are saving wood.
That's poor occupation at horse
race, but wood sawyer sometimes
makes good race and 1t is generally
conceded that the Democrats of
West Virginia have some strong
cards up their sleeves for the next
campaign and that dark horses who
win may not all come from the Rec
publican stables, by a long shot.
Senator Elkins is as Usual absorb
ed in business, but when the time
comes he will put his political power
nto force and effect and in his Sc
lections for approval, Monougalia
and Preston counties will be we'll
remembered, for ne Is intei ested in
this entire region more than any
other one politician, in financial
and industrial way.