The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-26
WEST VIRGINIA
IN THE BALANCE
Leans Strongly Toward Democ-
racy-Republicans Handi-
capped by Split.
Elkins Hands Tied by the Candi-
dacy Of His Father
in-Law.
BY w. w. Jermane.

Wheeling, w. Va, Aug. 26.-For
the present, it is safe to put West
Virginia in the doubtful column. with
leanings toward democracy. Both
parties are claiming it, but neither
thus far can substantiate it's claims.
Each Is carrying handicap. The re-
publican party is torn by internal dis
sensions. Its state conventions this
year have been marked by violence
and even bloodshed, and while the
herculean efforts made to restore
peace have borne some fruit, much
remains to be done. The democratic
party Is also divided, but the nomina-
ton of Davis for the vice presidency
will probably bring about something
resembling harmony. 1t is difficult to
foresee such results for the republi-
can organization, altho they may pos
whose six-year term will expire March
4 next, is candidate for reelection,
and he will do everything in his power
to insure republican victory. But 1t
is uncertain whether his influence can
counteract the forces which are in
league, consciously or otherwise, to
give the state to the democrats.
What Will Ellzins Do?
| One of the strongest Of these forces
! centers around the person Of Sena-
tor Stephen B. Elkins, who, while a
republican, is the son-in-law Of Henry
| Gassaway Davis. 1t is asserted in all
parts Of the state that Elkins will not
be able to take any active part in the
state canvass on account of his rela-
tionship to Davis, and If this predic-
| ton should prove true, the republican
| organization will be deprived of the
services of it's most forceful leader.
Davis and Elkins have controlled the
commercial and industrial affairs Of
eto Dot
is held or controlled nearly everything
in the way of railroad, mining and
manufacturing interests which the
state possesses. In addition to the
family tie, therefore, there Is this
other tie of financial interest. and the
question of whether Elkins will be
able to do effective work for the
Roosevelt electors has passed the hui
norous stage. Leading republicans
have warned E1kins that two years
from now his own seat in the senate
/ will be in danger, unless he can find
/ some way out of his present embar-
rassment, but he is undisturbed. He
is the ablest political leader TN the
state, and probably counts on over
coming the difficulties Of 1906 with
out reference to 1904. Meanwhile, he
Is doing nothing for the republican
cause, nor does he seem preparing to
do anything. It is so largely in his
power to say how the state shall CO.
that republican committeeman may
) be excused for regarding his attitude
of Indifference with genuine alarm.
Democracy Is Divided.
: If the West Virginia democracy
were united, a victory would be easily
. won for Parker. The democratic ma
chine failed to secure support for Its
: first choice for governor at the Par
| II
nomination Of a. dark horse" This
machine Is run by Mr.. Davis, thru
his lieutenant, John T. McGraw, who
will go to the senate provided the
, legislature is democratic next winter
3 By forcing a dark horse nomina
t ton, the machine has incurred the
: active hostility of Colonel Thompson
leader Of the democratic forces in the
: southern part Of the state. The row
l has not yet been fixed up, altho be-
r lieve it will be, on the surface at least
l The practically unanimous desire o
| the Parkersburg convention to adop
t a plank calling for the disfranchise
e nlent of the 5000 negro voters o
4 the state, Is in some quarters regard
8 ed as another stone in the demo craft,
Y pathway. That plank was not adopt
0 ed, because Mr.. Davis asked that tn
: negro question be put over until an
g other year. It is undoubtedly tn
purpose VI Ille psi "
S the negroes, once 1t is in power, ant
r one would naturally think that sucl
h threat would not bring many ne
o gro votes to the support Of the dem
o me negroes o
West Virginia are servile and Is
norant lot. The great majority Q
them work In tbs coal mines. prin
u cipally owned by Davis, and they hav
d usually voted as their employers hav
n dictated.
It It will thus be seen that the trouble
Y confronting the democracy, altho nc
s small, are not nearly so serious a
: those with which the republican part
8 has to deal.
e At the same time, however, tn
e figures of election returns for recer
l. years show that there has been
|; steady movement in West Virgini
a from democracy to republicanism.
l. 1880 the democratic presidential tick
e ct in the state had a plurality Of II
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