Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-24
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Democrats of West Virginia
Become Active.
SITUATION OUTLINED
JOHN T. McGRAW SCHEMING FOR
SENATORIAL ToGA.
Republican Discussions and Their Eff
feet on Campaign - Senator Davis
Hopeful, but Cautious.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

was hOnored with the vice presidential
nomina ton. ex-senator David B. Hill of
New York will make speeches here, and
although William Jennings Bryan made
like promise he will not be able TO come,
but there will be galaxy of democratic
stars on the rostrum just the same.
West Virginians would have been content
to let national issues slide this year, for they
are deeply absorbed in a taxation contro-
versy. but the Davis feature calls for the
national trimmings Regardless of republi-
can claims. which are made with a sus-
picious unanimity on the question of ma
jorities. their leaders realize they are up
against 1t and the fight on the defensive
will be equally vigorous The demo-
Gratis have the best of 1t on the tax issue,
because of the conditions resulting from
the action of the recent extra session of
the legislature. for which the responsibility
rests on the republican majority. although
republicans do not conceal their feeling
that Governor White Is to blame for calling
special session on the eve of a campaign.
Cornwell. the democratic nominee for
governor. is making a remarkable cam
he Will fulfill the pledge he made when
nominated. to stump every county in the
state. His cause is aided by the dissensions
In the republican party growing out of their
governorship contest which was won by
Dawson. and also the dissatisfaction man
ifested with Dawson's alleged change of
front On the principal issues involved IN
the tax reform business after he got his
nomination. So that Cornwell's chances
are regarded as good The democrats say
they are certain of his victory. Repubi-
cans posted on the situation admit Dawson
is in serious danger.
Teter for Senator.
To add to the republican troubles there
has come the development that Charles F.
Teter. defeated by Dawson in the race for
t. 1T. -l.,x l.; g.
the United States Senate. 1t is said he will
compete for Senator Scott's seat next jan
uary but intimate associates declare it Is
Senator Elkins he is going after two years
hence. 1t is Teter that the Elkins men are
watching. while the Scott followers have an
eye on Governor White, who Is Dawson'S
right hand man. The famous kanawha
county muddle. which included two county
tickets and double county committees, has
been adjusted, and on the surface all looks
lovely again. The double congressional
nominations in the third district, of which
the county is a part, will be settled by the
national congressional committee, and 1t is
a certainty that Representative Gaines will
be recognized and w. S. Edwards, his OPP
ponent. be turned down.
The Wood county legislative mix-up has
been settled to an extent by the withdrawal
of Speaker Frank p Meats. This was @
great sacrifice on his part but conditions
seemed to indicate there was a possibility
of his being sacrificed in November because
culties between the Dawson and Teter ele-
ments, dating back to the Terrapin Park
mass convention In the summer. when fisti-
cuffs ruled for greater part OF the after
noon, resulting in two conventions. Meats
has taken the stump through the state for
the general ticket.
The legislative ticket, as arranged re-
Gently by the county executive committee,
does not suit the Dawson men in Wood and
it was alleged that w. N. Miller, Daw-
son leader, declared it would not receive
the support of his faction. but Dawson has
written letter urging support of the whole
ticket. Miller called it a Reese Blizzard
ticket. This term was used because Judge
Blizzard, who is United States district at
torney has been the leader of the Scott and
Teter forces, and took most strenuous
part in all the consequential activities.
Senatorial Mixup.
Blizzard was in Wheeling one day this
week. He said grimly and briefly that
Dawson would be elected, and that Scott
would beat White for the Senate" The
force of this quotation is apparent when 1t
is understood that Gov. White has never
said he was a candidate for the Senate,
and has frequently denied 1t. Blizzard Is
a fighter, and does not mind sinking the
harpoon a few thrusts deeper before he
lets go. He and his adherents, by getting
control of the legislative ticket in Wood,
scored a ten-strike, because 1t is Gov
Whites own county.
Naturally, the democrats expect to profit
by all this nagging and maneuvering with
in the republican ranks. put their great
fight for control in West Virginia Is being
waged along the line that the farmers in
particular have been deluded by promises
of tax reform, and that the bills passed at
the special session increase the taxes on
land and do not touch corporate interests
as proposed. The farmers were told their
taxes would be decreased. and that the
taxes on the corporations would De IN
ur,1,np
leave the coal, OIL gas and railroad COM
panies exactly as they were before
McGraw's Aspirations.
While the fight will center through force
of circumstances against Dawson, Senator
Davis wants the states seven electoral
votes, for his pride has been touched. State
Chairman John T. McGraw. who is also
national committeeman. feels a responsi-
bility for Davis selection and is working
for both Davis and Cornwell, but his chief
ambition is to get a legislature that will
send him to the United States Senate, and
will sacrifice everybody else. probably, to
accomplish that end. He was beaten by
Senator Scott six years ago.
The republicans intend to tell the demo-
cratic rank and file that they also have
dissensions and against McGraw. who is
the chief target 1t will be said that he Is
not acting in good faith with the rest of
ture. McGraw took the wind out of these
sails at the opening of the democratic cam
paign in Wheeling Thursday night, for he
eulogized Davis eloauently, and ably ar
raigned Dawson for alleged insincerity in
the tax issue and aroused great enthusiasm
by his tribute to Candidate Cornwell. Nc
Graw promised to speak again in Wheeling,
and will likely be found with Cornwell
when his itinerary reaches this city.
National Issues.
The national phase of the campaign,
which got few touches from speeches this
week by ex-senator Charles A. Towne of
Minnesota, will rest until October IL, when
the special train holding Dave Hill, ex-
Governor Whyte of Maryland. Senator
Daniel of Virginia and Henry g. Davis
start out on its ten-day circle of the state.
This spellbinding tour begins October II,
and 1t Is intended to overcome the visit
of Senator Fairbanks. Speaker Cannon,
Taft, Wilson and other cabinet officers to
this state. Never in West Virginia's his
tory have its natives been an object of
such distinguished attention from both par
ties. In the meantime Senator Bailey of
Texas will be going 1t alone for the oemo-
Gratis, and both parties will have punches
Of local speakers, sixty already being on
muster at the republican state headquar-
tiers In Parkersburg.
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