Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-19
PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE"
Harmony Meeting of West Virgins
Leaders Failed in It's Purpose.

Every candidate for himself is the
present situation In the republican sena-
torial and gubernatorial campaign In the
state of West Virginia. The harmony meet
ing yeste. day and the close conference last
evening of the leaders in the contest came
to naught, and to those interested it is re-
garded as a complete fiasco.
The session was anything but harmony
meeting; the thermometers failed to agree
upon a plan, and at the close of the con-
ference last night. which adjourned after
midnight each of the candidates made the
open announcement that he is in the cam
paign to be elected or defeated
Notwithstanding the fact that the gap
between the factions has been widened, the
candidates have no apprehension that the
state of West Virginia will go democratic.
However. the respective candidates are each
willing to stand the risk of democratic
victory in the hope Of gaining his own cleo
ton.
From an official source it was learned
that the failure of the harmony meeting
was due to the alleged declinat ton of Mr..
w. NJ. o. Dawson. present secretary of
state of West Virginia, to carry out his
proposition to withdraw from the guberna-
torial contest. conditioned on the with
drawai of Mr.. G. +. Teter of Phiflfppi from
that race. to give Mr. j. l.. Caldwell of
Huntington a free field for the campaign
for the governorship. thereby removing the
latter from the senatorial race and insuring
the reelection of Senator Scott.
The strength of Mr.. Caldwell Is recog-
r:zed by the West Virginia leaders, num-
Der of whom remained in the city over to-
day, and it was stated that Mr. Scott will
have strong opponent in him for the SEN
atorial prize.
The parties TO the present republican po-
litical tangle in West Virginia came to
Washington yesterday with the firm belief
that harmony would be restored by the
withdrawal of both Mr.. Teter and Dawson
from the gubernatorial contest and that
Senator Scott would be reelected and Mr..
Caldwell would have easy sailing to the
governors chair. For the sake of harmony
Mr.. Teter. it is officially learned. came to
Washington to inform Senators Elkins and
Scott and the other members of the con-
greSSiOnal delegation from West Virginia
that he would withdraw from the guber-
material contest IL Mr.. Dawson would do
likewise
The open session yesterday of the delega-
lions from West Virginia was productive of
no results, and 1t was mutually agreed be-
tween Mr.. Teter and Mr.. Dawson to place
the matter in the hands of point commit
tee representing both of them. Judge Reese
Blizzard, Representative Dayton and ex-
Senator Davis were present for Mr. Teter,
while Mr.. Dawson was represented by Mr..
w. p. Hubbard. s. G. Smith and George c.
Sturgiss.
The committee reviewed the work of the
day session, and Mr.. Teter's representatives
announced his withdrawal from the guber-
material race, and that 1t was contingent
upon Mr.. Dawson's withdrawal. Mr.. Daw-
son. 1t is said. declined to withdraw. He ex-
planned that after studying the matter
thoroughly and upon the insistence of his
friends, he would not consent to getting out
of the race. He said his utterances on
previous occasions had been misunderstood.
1t was suggested that Mr.. Dawson give
away to Mr.. Teter. This proposition was
also refused. Mr. Dawson maintained that
such a move on his part would be con-
strued as a backdown. ard that If both
he and Mr.. Teter withdrew, 1t would be
considered compromise. with the result
that the humiliation upon both gentlemen
would be equal
1t was stated today that no further har-
mony conferences would be held, as both
candidates are obdurate and claim to have
a backing sufficient to carry his election.