Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-22
DEMOCRATS HOPEFUL
Believe They Can Elect Gov.
ernor in West Virginia.
CHANGES NECESSARY
NINE VOTES PER PRECINCT WILL
DO THE WORK.
Republicans Claim a Reaction Of
Sentiment Has Followed Their
Campaign of Education.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
WHEELING, w. Va, October PA
change of nine votes in every one OF the
1,25O precincts in West Virginia would give
the democrats a majority, based on the
vote of 1900 Democrats do not concede
that so many votes are required, for they
argue that four years ago they were not
able to poll their normal vote. through lack
of organiza ton, lack of funds and lack OF
harmony within their ranks.
This year 1t is a red-hot fight all along
the line between systematic organizations.
The democrats have a normal republican
majority of at least 10 600 to cope with, but
they seem undaunted and the prospect or
electing their candidate for governor sur
mounts the misgivings they entertain as to
carrying the state for Parker and Davis.
Privately, the democrats will confess they
are hopeful of complete victory but
that "they do not expect it, AS to beat
ing Dawson they express no doubt what
ever and in this connection they rely on
the votes of republicans who will help them
in no other point. Consequently 1t Is pc
coming more evident that Roosevelt Will
get West Virginia by substantial margin.
Claims this week have been generously
handed out from republican headquarters;
which bear the suspicion of being intended
for effect. State Chairman Northcott gives
the whole ticket over 10000. Dawson puts it
at $1,000 for the national ticket, but says
the state ticket will run "a few thousands
behind" If Dawson means 1t will run 5000
behind, he and Northcott. who succeeded
him chairman. happily agree on 10000
for the whole ticket. The Northcott claim
comes the day after Dawson's, and North
colt backs it up with the statement that
he, at least feels free to make his first
official claim.
Senator Scott's Claim.
But Senator Scott sent out claim for
circulation from his New York vantage
point, which was unfortunately made pub
lie the same day that Dawson used his pen
Gil. The senator declines to give figures on
West Virginia. He merely asserts that the
suspicion that West Virginia is In the
doubtful column has been dissipated. He
makes the point that the states industries
require continuance Of the republican tar
if policy and that the citizens Of the state
clearly see the point.
There is much curiosity to hear what
Senator Elkins has to say, equaled only by
the republican eagerness to him the
stump and busy in the campaign.> The days
are waxing apace. but he does not enter
the arena, and everybody knows the pres
sure on him is strong Likewise, there is
no doubt that the pressure within his family
circle Is equally strong to keep him by the
firesfde. And this brings up the threats
muttered around that he would better look
out" or some goblin will get him two
years hence" Just who could be developed
to contest with him for his senatorial toga
is not apparent, but the republicans who do
the muttering declare there is plenty of
raw material.
A few weeks ago Charley Teter the de-
feated governorship aspirant was tOuted
as the man. and the story bore the ear
marks Of scheme to draw Elkins into the
ACTIVITIES OF the present campaign. 1t origi-
mated while Teter was down in Kentucky,
mr. tot,f boz, 1ry,4 -
Teter squelched 1t on his return Every
time opposition to Elkins has been sug-
gested in late years 1t died a-bornin' and
those who spring 1t now say Elkins appears
bigger than he really Is, simply because no
fight against him was ever made within his
own party. In the meantime, Senator FL
kinS saws wood.
Result Of Final Polls.
Republicans and democrats have about
concluded their final polls, and democrats
admit republican preponderance without
seeming disheartened. They talk conf
IDENTIFY OF quiet, Independent vote on
which they rely but this all comes back to
the question Of state issues. The state fea-
ture is getting to the point where the demo-
Gratis claim certain victory If they can hold
the situation as 1t Is at present and the re-
publicans. except the leaders who hand on,
figures and claims, do not dispute this
opinion. but say they believe a reaction ha .
set In in their favor on the tax question,
and that as the discussion of the new tax
law goes on the prospects of their sta re-
ticket improves.
New Complications Arise.
A new element of complications against
the republican state ticket has appeared In
the suits instituted against 1900 foreign
and domestic corporations by certain Off
Gals at Charleston. Some of the suits are
To tbo
taxes. while large majority of them are
solely because of technical violations as
for instance failure to observe the clause
requiring changes in the officers of a COM
pany during the year to be sent to Charles
ton. The combined fees the companies will
have to pay amount to $52S, 600 In each
suit the attorney general gets S25, the cir
cult court clerk of Kanawha 50, and there
Is statutory fee Of $40. The latter fee is
supposed to go to the auditor, but the
storm of censure against what Is freely
termed a 'hold-up' has not extracted any
definite information, and there is a mass of
denials and insnuations and counter-insinu-
atoms among members of the official fam
fly.
Naturally these corporation suits are
hurting the republicans. Auditor Seherr
mas rushed into the breach to say he is not
responsible and intimates an assistant of
Attorney General Freer is to blame The
fact that the suits had to be certified be-
lore the secretary of state, who is Mr..
Do"oOi' - ihct ny The statement Ihat DaW-
son Is not a beneficiary and is innocent OF
the suits, which is certainly logical, since
bringing the suits on the eve of the cam
paign gravely affects his candidacy and all
who know him give him credit for too much
political foresight to be connected with such
an untimely transaction.
Bankers Aroused.
The bankers Of West Virginia have been
drawn into the general mix-up through dis
cussion Of the laws relating to their bust
ness. Just now Secretary C. r. Htteshew,
Of their state association, Is a target for
criticism because he sent to each member
copy of the new laws and asked them
what they thought about it. The crime
charged against him is that he indited his
billet doux on the associations stationery
and inclosed the copies of the law that were
printed by the democratic state committee.
His critics are sending him hot-shot letters,
which incidentally they print In their party
organs, showing that after all bankers are
human. and become republicans and demo-
Gratis like other people when the red fire
and marching club stage Of q campaign IS
reached