Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-11
Warning Factions to Settle
Their Differences.
REMARKABLE CONTEST
WEST VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS
FACE SERIOUS PROBLEM.
Convention to Be Held Tomorrow for
State Nominations - Result
Anxiously Awaited.

Special Dispatch TO The Evening Star.
WHEELING. w. Va. July i1.-One of
the most remarkable contests within party
lines ever waged in West Virginia VIII be
closed here within the next two days, and
the result is awaited with anxiety 1t VIII
terminate either in the nomination by the
republicans of one of the two principal con-
testants for the governorship or in the
withdrawal Of both these men and the sub
stitutipn of some one agreeable to both
factions who has hitherto not been promi-
nently mentioned AT present IL looks very
much As if the fight viii go to a finish be-
tween the rivals who have conspicuously
sought the office.
The republican convention for the nomi-
nation OF state officers will meet here to-
morrow. The two candidates for governor.
between whom the convention VIII probao ly
be called upon to decide, are William Nj. ..
Dawson of Charleston, present Secretary of
State BY appoin ment of Gov. White, and
Charles +. Teter, prominent republican
of PhIlipp Representative Day'ons home
town. Each is eminently qualified Tor the
office and were it left to the personality
of the two there would be little to choose
between them. But unfortunately for the
peace of the party an issue or tax re-
form injected into the campaign,
which has dominated all other cons.dera-
tons and for time threatened to disrupt
the republican organization.
Al me last session Oh tlle state
certain measures which changed the sys-
tenn of taxation. providing, 1t was claimed,
a more equitable distribution OF the tax
burden. were introduced. The bills making
this new provision were prepared by a
commission named by the governor. but
when they were presented to the leg'sia-
ture that body declined to pass them, on
the ground, urged by some, that sum
Gent time had not been given for their
consideration. This action of the legisla-
ture. which was Overwhelmingly republican,
caused considerable irritation among the
state leaders of the party ana from tnis
has grown a controversy such as. In the
estimation of many. was calculated to place
West Virginia In the doubtful column, po-
Ntically This evidently was the view or az
fairs taken by Senator German of Mary
land. and the members of the west VIZ
ginia delegation in the St Louis conven-
fIun which induced them to urge the nomi-
nation of ex-senator Davis as the democrat
iC candidate for Vice President
Democrats Grasp Opportunity.
II has been known for months that the
democratic party which is absolutely united
I'm the state has accepted the opening
and will make desperate effort TO Wrest
the state from its opponents.
Should West Virginia go democratic IN
1901 tn, effect In the electoral college Will
be a change of fourteen votes to the good
for Parker and Davis. The campaign VIII
be fierce with Mr.. Davis personality ana
the republican dissensions as principal iac-
tors.
The republican executive committee has
about completed It's consideration or contests
which We're brought before 1t, and the re-
lort will be submitted to the convention
soon after the opening proceedings tornor-
row So intense is the feeling that each
particular move Is apparently cause Tor
friction. \ demand was made by the ad-
herents of Teter that Mr. Dawson his
principal opponent. should be required to
retire from the committee as otherwise
he would pass upon the cases in contest
manifeStly. IL urged, an improper ana
indicate duty. This upon It's face was
a reasonable request, but Mr.. Dawson de-
clined heed it. except upon his own
terms lie saw where his interests would
be injuriously affected, and said he would
resign only upon being given permission
to name his successor. The committee suS-
tanned him.
Recent Majorities.
West Virginia gave Mckinley in 1900 a
plurality of nearly 2lOG0 in the heaviest
vote ever polled In the state. The republi-
can plurality in 1896 the presidential
vote was l. ,4S1. Cleveland carried the
state In lS9. by little more than 1000.
These figures denote in some degree the
progress made by the republicans within
the past decade. But their progress in
their years of political adversely. as proved
~ the records, was quite pronounced.
onl at each congressional election held
since 1S!'. the aggregate republican ma Or-
fty has been OF good proportions.
Nevertheless and notwithstanding, the
party whose accredited representatives will
assemble here tomorrow faces the danger
of possible defeat. The read leaders are
cognizant of this, and striving to bring
peace out OF discord. Whether or not they
will succeed will be known within forty
eight hours.