Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-22
HOLD ANOTHER SESSION
REPUBLICAN INSURGENTS AT
PARKFRsBURG, w. VA.
Special Correspondence of The star.

WHEELING, W. Va, October 81, 1905.
The republican insurgents In West Vfr-
ginia, ignoring the Senator Elkins and
Governor Dawson white dove demonstra-
tons, gathered Mt Parkersburg this week
for their third pow-wow of the season,
those present representing every section of
the state. 1t was the most representative
and largest attended gathering they have
VT had, and this was supposed to be only
committee meeting. They predict stand
ing room only when they open the doors
and call for mass meetings.
However that be, the fact remains that
the insurgents strong on secrecy. Moo
body outside of their immediate council
fires knows what they are driving at or
what they want. State Senator w. w.
Whyte of Mcdowell county the chairman
of their recently organized executive COM
mittee, gives this more or less instructive
iHformation:
"On our platform every honest, independ-
ent intelligent and decent republican can
stand honorably and proudly. Our cause is
one that appeals to the people of the party
and when they fully understand the issue
and are convinced that we mean to give
them a chance to fight this cause through
to conclusion they will be only too glad
u clasp hands with u.s.
+ The members of the party do not yet
fully understand the issue. The people may
be with or against the insurgents when
they discover the issue, but it is a natural
sLpposition that when the next deal for
offices is there will be a large insurgent
following, made up of the republicans who
think it is about time there were new
faces in public places. The outs will line
up against the ms. after the good old GUS
tom, but until the insurgent platform is
more definite, it is probable the people will
be as Indifferent as they are now curious
Not Against Elkins.
Originally the insurgent movement was
regarded anti-Elkins affair but this
theory has been partly upset by the later
semi-ofticial announcement that the indie
pendents are contending for principles, not
offices The practically certain develop
ment that Reese Blizzard, first hailed as
the insurgent leader and cand date for Sem
ator Eikins seat, Is to be reappointed fed
eral district attorney on Senator Elkins
recommendation has also served to dimin-
ish an active anti Elkins sentiment. Still,
with few exceptions, the insurgents are
against Elkns and would gladly welcome
a rival to him if the rival would show up,
which the rival does not do.
The insurgents love Governor Dawson
less. They could cripple the state machine
materially by forcing Elkins to give them
the federal plums, and they doubtless ex-
pect TO make a show of force to that end,
but regardless of success in that line their
chief purpose, it is said. will be to capture
q majority of the state senate and con-
troll legislation, and eventually put up
contest for the state machinery through
out Five holdover sena tors attended the
Parkersburg conference, they being Chair
man Whyte, o. s. Marshall of Hancock,
I. p. Hill of Tyler. VIM S. Johnson of Fay
cite, and Samuel B. Montgomery of PrAs-
ton. Other prominent state workers in
cluded Charles f. Teter of Barbour, Prose
cutting Attorney Bob Smith and County
Clerk r. B. Bernheim of Mcdowell, ex-
Senator Stark l.. Baker of Randolph, ex-
Sheriff Steve Pyle of Tyler, ex-Representa-
of aI-
ster; Il. Taylor Vinson of Cabell. S. NJ
Smith of Mercer John w. Burchinal of
Marshall and Thomas w. Fleming of
Marion.
This was the first appearance of Mr.
Fleming, who is now a member of the
house of delegates, and who received
srasmodic and unauthorized boom for Sen
ator SCOTS shoes the night before the eau
Gus last winter.
Believed to Be an Aspirant.
Once in awhile there is the whisper of a
Fleming boom for governor, and he would
not be averse to more distinguished hon
ors. 1t is not beyond the range of reason
able conjecture to suspect that the Marion
county legislator would exert himself to
get in the road of the senatorial lightning
If the insurgents are successful In the
legislative contests next summer Mr..
Fleming has the financial means as we'll
as the ambition, and in fight the fact
that he is a resident of the first district,
which now has Senaor Scott, would not
cut a figure, as Judge Goff the first cho ce
OF the anti-Elkns men, is also located
there
Senator Elkins dropped out of Parkers-
burg n few hours before the insurgent
warriors began to gather, which little
feature tended to make their courage ap-
peal to the popular perception. The SEN
ator an Ohio river front itinerary.
which at every stage, he declared, was
purely business.
incidentally he built new railroads and
established new industries. and he com
plimented the towns and the townsmen
their material progressiVeness and roseate
futures West Virginia has more sue
cessful jollier than the big brainy and
cEeery senator, and it has been aptly said
OF him that after a few minutes he can
make the disappointed officeseeker of op-
timistic intercourse feel that he has gained
much more than he failed TO get. His abil-
ity TO enthuse the individual by letter or
by direct personal contact is the secret of
his political strength. and it is that which
makes his insurgent opponents admit that
ne is too big man to beat.
Senator Elkins touched at Wheeling.
Parkersburg, Huntington and Charleston.
and when not giving out interviews to lea
we'll enough alone, including himself as a
very well man. he got into touch with
the local situations relative TO legislative
candidates, more particularly for the state
senate for which the activity is very pro-
nc unced at this stage.