Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-05
At THE White HOUSE
Trouble With Turkey Dis
cussed by Cabinet.
WEST VIRGINIA SAFE
AS SURELY REPUBLICAN AS Is
PENNSYLVANIA.
So Says State Chairman Northcott-
Secretary Cortelyou Talks With
the President.

Secretary Hays return to the city from
his summer home was signalized by con-
sideration at today's cabinet meeting of i'm
portant matters concerning Americas Tor
eign relations The Secretary had not COM
pleted his vacation, but returned to WASH
ington at this time on account of the de-
velopments in this country's relations with
Turkey. The whole question was consid-
cred by the President and his cabinet to-
day in the light of information received by
cable today from Minister Leishman, at
Constantinople.
This government has been pressing the
porte for an answer to our representations.
The sultan promised an answer last Fri
day. but Minister Leishman did not receive
it, He was put off until yesterday. He
was promised then an answer from the Sul-
tan himself as to the rights of Americans
to establish schools and other educational
institutions in the Turkish empire. Such
rights have been accorded other nauons,
but have been withheld from America.
Secretary Hay laid before the President
and the cabinet today a cablegram he just
had received from Minister Le1shman, TO
the effect that he had not been able to OBJ
tain even yet a satisfactory answer 10 f)s
representations.
That this government is annoyed at
the procrastipatiOn of the porte and at
what seems to be studied EFFORT on the
part of the sultan to dllly-dally with the
American representations there Is no at
tempt to conceal Secretary Hay declined,
however, as he left the cabinet meeting to
say what, if any, decision had been reach-
ed Secretary Morton's replies to similar
inquiries indicated the probability OF i'm
portant action by his department. bearing
upon the Turkish question. 1t is known
that proposition has been mace 10
hold the American battle ship squadron at
nf win Al
once to this country. At Gibraltar the
squadron will be available for any service
the government might determine to nave
1t perform.
Mr.. Cortelyou Present at Meeting.
George B. Cortelyou, chairman of the ma
tional republican committee, sat at the
cabinet table throughout the meeting, ana
at the conclusion conferred with the Presl-
dent on political subjects. He did not take
any part in the discussion Of departmental
and other matters pertaining to the govern
ment, but 1t is suggested that when there
was occasion for political remarks he was
not only a good listener but a good talker.
He sat in the seat of Secretary Shaw, who
has gone west for few days. That politi-
cal subjects were discussed before the cab
met adjourned appears to be fact. .
Mr. Cortelyou reached Washington yes
terday and in the afternoon went to the
White House for a conference with the
President He discussed political matters
entirely.
West Virginia's Republicanism.
Senators Scott and Elkins and Elliott
Northcott, republican state chairman of
West Virginia were with President Roose-
welt for half an hour this morning going
over political conditions in that state They
explained the situation fully to the Presi-
dent and convinced him beyond any doubt
that the electoral vote of the state may be
safely counted for the republican nominees.
why, gentlemen said Chairman North
colt to the newspaper reporters afterward,
West Virginia is republican as safely as
Pennsylvania, in proportion to our total
vote, and we firmly believe we will carry
the state by not less than $4,000 votes The
fact is that the republican vote of the state
has been increasing each year because of
many reasons until not even tidal wave
for the democrats could defeat the re-
publicanS.
The tariff issue alone is sufficient to MAIN
tain the republican supremacy in the
state. Now, Mr.. Davis is an excellent gen.
tleman, highly regarded in our state, but
his personal popularity cannot effect a
change. That has been tried by Mr.. Davis
brother, a man almost as popular as him
SELF Mr.. Davis had his brother nominated
several years ago against Representative
Dayton, but the republican majority was as
large as usual showing that personal popu-
larity enters little into positions of such i'm
portance. This is the same way with the
presidential vote of the state. The legisla-
ture is as safely republican as the electoral
vote, and Senator Scott will be returned
to his seat in the Senate.
There has been much talk of local trou-
bles The republicans of the state did have
some differences, but they have settled
these and nothing remains to be adjusted
except some county troubles. The differ
ences that have existed are being settled
with amazing ease and rapidity and all
classes Of republicans are getting together
in spirit and fact. There are now no dis
couraging signs anywhere, and We will be
pleased to meet the democrats upon any
Issues they may put forward, satisfied that
we will be able to show the voters that 1t
is best to continue republican national and
state administrations
Is Burley a Sane Manp
Judge Jeter C. Pritchard Of the United
States circuit court will talk with the Presi-
dent tomorrow about the case Of John w.
Burley, the negro who is under sentence of
death in the District Jail for criminal as
sault upon a little girl Of his own race.
Judge Pritchard went to the White House
this morning, but the cabinet officers were
beginning to assemble and he decided he
would call again tomorrow. An application
for a pardon or for communication of the
sentence of Burley is now pending before
the President, and is based on the ground
of Burley's alleged insanity. Judge Pritch
ara Is IN QOuDt just Wnat OuSnt 10 De done,
but he is certain that the question of Bur-
leys sanity ought to be settled without
delay.
He feels that If Burley is sane he ought
to suffer the penalty that has been imposed,
but If he IS insane the proper action ought
to be taken He intended to advise the
President to direct the employment OF the
best alienist to be obtained and let thor
ough inquiry be made into the condition of
the condemned man. Judge Pritchard was
sitting on the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict when he tried and senterced Rurley,
and that is why he is to give the case his
attention at this time.
Virginia Republicans Are H.
Representative Slemp, the only republican
member of the House from Virginia, visited
the President in company with Edgar Allen,
jr., and J. F. Griffith of Russell county. Mr.