Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-12
Satisfied With Fight Made
in West Virginia.
LOSS OF GOVERNORSHIP
THE ONLY DEFEAT WHICH
LEAVES A STING.
Contest of 1908 to Be Waged on Race
Issue-The Republican
Outlook.
DISPATCH to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
WHEELING. W. Va, November 12.-The
democrats of West Virginia, with knowi-
edge of the Roosevelt landslide throughout
the country, are not disposed to be anxious
for q solution of how 1t happened. They
feel satisfied they made good fight, and
they have no criticism Of the management
OF affairs in West Virginia. They admit
that the policy of letting well enough alone
was too much to cope with, and they bow
gracefully to the inevitable. Their hearts
were set on capturing the governorship
since 1t represented the real bone Of con-
tention. For that loss they have not yet
got reconciled. 1t was the blow that hurt
The republican victor, w. M. o. Dawson,
who will be the next governor, the man
whom the democrats were wont to call
want More Office Dawson" has been the
head of the republican state organization
for fourteen years, and his defeat for the
honor he coveted would have been very
satisfactory to the democrats. 1t meant
the patronage Of the state, with not less
foundation for machine. Roosevelt was
very strong, however, and Dawson was
pulled through on the Roosevelt vote-drlft
No matter how 1t may be elsewhere, the
for keeps The democrats feel pretty good
ever the fact that John ]. Cornwell, their
CO ndidate, ran 81 900 ahead Of his ticket
and two years heEce they say they Will
fight just as hard. while four years hence
they will make the issue on the proposed
white mans party" They are pointing to
the counties of Kanawha and Clay, where
Cornweli won out in former republican
Strongholds on the strength of this cry.
They are encouraged by the growing senti-
ment for a registration law, and ON state
Issues they believe their chances will be
brighter in 1908. regardless of what ma
terializes in national affairs.
Senator Cornwell as Leader.
Senator Cornwell will lead his party's
| cause in the legislature next January. and
he is said to be in a position to embarrass
the majority. The republicans will not
have less than forty-eight on joint ballot
They are committed to a revision of the
tax system and Cornwell will force the
fighting. Throughout the republican de-
liberations and conferences the stellar fea-
ture has been the omission of the tax on
coal, oil and gas production. on which is
sue Dawson secured his nomination. When
he was nominated Cornwell announced that
he would resign his membership in the
senate. and he went so far to write out
his resignation to Governor White which
he gave to a member of the democratic
organization, who keeps 1t under lock and
key.
1t may be peculiar to see Cornwell in the
senate again. since he announced that he
would resign before the next session, and
in view of his farewell speech at the spe-
cial session last summer he may feel some
what embarrassed, but party expediency
seems to demand his return to the legis-
lative body and the recall of his promise.
1t Is said Cornwell will put the republi-
cans on record before the people by intro
ducing a resolution to put a production
tax on the mineral interests He is said to
all 10 fl of no min nroI
ties to give him a better vote and their
failure revives the story that Dawson and
the Standard Oil Company. and the coal
operators along the Norfolk and Western
and Chesapeake and Ohio railroads, had an
understanding. This was. however. strenu-
ously denied by Mr.. Dawson. Along the
Baltimore and Ohio the coal operators
were for Cornwell, II the vote In Marion
county is considered. This, with the ex-
ception of Wetzel, was the only county In
the first congressional district in which he
got a majority. 1t is supposed that Corn
well feels he has nothing to lose now, and
that his party has much to gain by putting
the republicans on record to where they
stand on the controversial points of taxing
coal, oil and gas.
An Office to Fill.
The death of Thomas E. Davis, collector
of internal revenue has started fox hunt
for his position. Senators Elkins and Scott
have already under consideration, it is said,
100 applications for the position. The death
of Davis furnishes lesson on the strenu-
osity Of a campaign for governor in West
Virginia. He was the republican candidate
in 1892 and was defeated by MacCorkle.
While the Dawson-Teter muss was at it's
height he was suggested for a compromise,
but he stated that he would not undergo
the physical strain of the canvass for all
the wealth of Golconda. he told how he
used to dodge interviewers and men with
a yarn when he was candidate In order
- tic. .t IL
recovered from that campaign and his
death was an indirect result.
Charles F. Teter, the defeated republican
candidate for the gubernatorial nomination
has been suggested as Davis successor
Capt. w. E. White, brother of Governor
A. B. White. and E. c. Henshaw Of Mar
tinsburg are active candidates. A. r.
Campbell of Wheeling Is also putting up a
fight and Scott and Elkins are brushing
the hundred stalwarts aside with the state
ment that they can do nothing until the
Senate meets In December.
New Tax Commissioner.
Republican politicians are probably more
interested In the new state tax commission
err This new office will be filled next week
If Governor White is so disposed. S. G.
Smith of Wheeling and w. N Miller of
Parkersburg seem to be in favor, since
Warden c. E. Haddox of the state prison
declined to accept. The law creating the
tax commissioner was severely attacked by
the democrats In the campaign because of
the powers conferred on him. If the COM
missioner chooses he can build up power
full machine through his assistants in the
fifty-five counties. II he chooses he can put
the screws on here and loosen them some
place else.
Governor White will retire from Office
the 4th Of March, and will be succeeded by
Mr.. Dawson. his former secretary of state.
1t is reported that White will appoint
Miller of Parkerspurg as tax commission
err and that after White is retired from
the governorship he will resign and that
Governor Dawson will appoint White to
the place. The Office pays $4,000 a year.
with expenses. and is good for a six-year
term. The office of governor under
Whites administration paid only 2.70O a
year. with house rent, but the legislatures
generosity raised 1t to 5000. The advance
does not become effective until next year.
West Virginia Republican State.
| The election has seemingly demonstrated
| that nationally West Virginia is as safely
| republican Pennsylvania and Ohio.
| Henry G. Davis finds a certain sort of