Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1904-09-22

acute stage in his campaign for
the nomination, Republicans say
they would have no serious trOu-
bles now. 1t would be all smooth
sailing in November. AS it is,
they are at their wits ends for
arguments with which to placate
the voters about the extra ses-
sion enactments. Mr.. Dawson
must and will do his best stunts
at throwing dust in the eyes OF
the ruralites, who have been his
stanchest supporters. A well-in-
formed Parkersburg Republican
said today that the tax statutes of
the extra session were for the
party like throwing a man into
a millpond with a stone tied to
his neck. The next Legislature
if Republican, will almost surely
repeal them.
Strenuous efforts are on loot to
counteract the harm these stat
utes are doing. The work with
the liquor men, the price of whose
licenses was raised 500, is an ex-
ample. Saloon-keepers promptly
started an aggressive movement
against the entire Republican
ticket by way of retaliation, but
something has already been ac-
complished toward checking this
by threats of making West Vir-
ginia a dispensary State. AS a
matter of fact, every recent Leg
islature has had a majority of
members for prohibition. Like
several other Southern States,
West Virginia has been rapidly
developing strong prohibition
sentiment, which now controls all
but about nineteen counties. Only
political reasons, strongly empha-
sized, have prevented the passage
of stringent prohibition measures.
The South Carolina dispensary
plan was popular here at one
time. and was not far from being
adopted. Republicans are now
vigorously reminding the liquor
men of this, and even threaten
ing to put them out of business
at some future session if the sa-
loon vote is not kept in line this
year.
Practically a like argument, or
threat, if one wishes to use the
palmer term, is being used with
corporations and other interests
that have to ask favors of the
Legislature. The Republicans as
sert that even if they lose the
State election this fall, they can
not lose more than one branch Of
the Legislature. They say it
cannot be many years before they
will be in full power, and able to
even up all scores. Every one
knows that the State is normally
Republican, and such talk from
men who have long memories GER
tainly counts.
But as far as one can judge at
this preliminary stage. the en-
phasis on protective IF and
the argument that there is no
need of a change in the National
administration is having more
weight than all else in keeping
substantial Republicans with the
party. Both considerations are
having weight with Gold Demo-
Gratis, many Of whom will vote
for Roosevelt.
Howard Sutherland, of Elkins,
chairman of the Randolph Coun-
ty Republican committee, has
been here two or three days on
business at headquarters. AS Ell
kins is the home Of ex-senator
Davis and Senator ElEins, there
is lively interest in the Ran
dolph county vote.
eve are now taking a county
poll" said Mr.. Sutherland this
morning, TO find where we stand.
About 1870 of the arrivals in
Randolph since the last election
are from Pennsylvania, and,
therefore, mostly Republicans.
That should materially help us in
reducing the normal Democratic
majority of 500 in the county.
The increase in population is
chiefly along Mill Creek. where