Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-24
IN WANT OF AN ISSUE
WEST VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS CON-
SLIDER WHITE MANS. PLANK.
Special Correspondents of The Star.


WHEELING. VIVA, September 2. 1905.
With all the jars of discord and the pleas
for harmony sounding In the ears of West
Virginia republicans there is neither sound.
nor sign nor stir of life in democracy's
camp. The democrats are merely lockers
on In Vienna The disturbing state tax
issue, which tore the republicans into two
factions, has not left the democrats without
scars. and with the new laws going into
operation the democrats are deprived of
favorable opportunities for criticism. AS
these laws give promise of satisfying a
large majority of taxpayers for one or two
years at least. the democrats are forced
to seek new ground. and they haven't any
in sight now.
From various outgivings 1t appears that
they will attempt to make the colored broth
er an issue in the contest for the legisla-
ture. and IL it appeals with certain de-
gree of favor, push 1t stronger In the hght
for control of the state three years hence
1t was only through fear of embarrassing
the national ticket In northern states con-
sidered debatable last year that the white
MANS plank was omitted by the demo-
Gratis from the West Virginia platform
This was done presumably In difference 10
Henry G. Davis Notwithstanding he per-
sonally favored it, and the omission was
regretted subsequently by minor state lead
ers.
When ex-senator Davis was chosen as
Judge Parker's running mate at st. Louis
the democrats of West Virginia lost the
candidate they had in mind for governor
At the Charleston convention which named
delegates to St Louis Mr.. Davis made q
vigorous white mans party speech and
1t was generally regarded at the time that
he was forcing an issue on which his
cousin Senator German had been success
full in Maryland.
Comparison Suggested.
A few days ago Mr.. Davis asked the
writer if he thought his gubernatorial cam
didacy would have been more successful
than his race for the Vice Presidency. The
distinguished octogenarian was respectfully
informed that In the humble opinion of the
person addressed different tale would
have been told. And a certain familiarity
with the situation In West virginia would
tend to that conclusion. ror Governor
Dawson would have been signally weaker
on a tax reform platform against en- OPP
ponent who was one of the five members
of the original state tax commission, and
Davis would have been mulch stronger
within and without his party than John J.
Cornwell, who, as it was, made remark
able run against great ODDS.
With Davis as the candidate for gov
ernor. national issues would have played
practically no part Roosevelt would have
got MS 5ZrouD plurailty just the same, anu
perhaps eco more. while Davis might have
been swept into the governors chair, wip-
ing out the 5000 ajority Dawson got over
Cornweil. The democratic state platform
would have been constructed altogether diff
ferently. The republicans would have been
criticised from different standpoint on
the tax question. and negro domination"
would have been nailed high on the demo-
cratic banners. That Mr.. Davis regrets
that he was not a candidate for governor
instead of Vice President may be considered
logical outcome of his inquiry on the
subject.
Negro Question as an Issue.
The negro question, however. would have
been more virile last year than 1t will be
In 1905, because republicans in Kanawha
and other counties were smarting over al
legged irregularities at primaries and con-
venttons in which the colored brother had
been used too numerously against their
particular faction. It will be a difficult
matter to convince the people of West Vir-
ginia that they are in danger of being
dominated by negroes, when 1t Is considered
that the negro vote is such a small factor
except in comparatively. few counties Out
side of the state librarian, at Charleston
there is no state office filed by a negro,
with the single other exception of repre-
sentation on a board having in charge a
state school for colored youth. There is
one negro on the republican state commit
courtesy. and known a member-at-iarge.
State Senator William Campbell who
managed Colonel Tom Davis recent con-
gressional campaign successfully, Is the
most outspoken advocate of the white mans
party idea. He lives in Jefferson county
where such an issue might be popular for
local reasons. but republicans suspect
Campbell is shrewdly working on racial
prejudice to hold in line a wavering element
of his party. Jefferson county democrats
are inclined to be favorable to the new
tax sytem, championed and enacted by re-
publicans, although any hopes of seeing
them depart from the traditions which hold
strong sway In that part of West Virginia
may be strained. Hedged In by MARYLAND
and Virginia the Jefferson county demo-
Gratis have imbbed the negro disfranchise-
ment theory. and because popular there
Senator Campbell may figure it will be
winning card elsewhere.
Mentioned Casually.
George Byrne of Charleston who IS
equally outspoken, but more persistent
advocate of depriving the negro of his vote,
is being mentioned casually as his party's
candidate for governor. If the democrats
should ever get wrapped up in the negro
business Byrne would fill the bill. and he
would incidentally do some electrifying
stunts on the platform, being at home IS
an orator on that particular subject Other
IMAM the negro, the democrats are at sea
Ihey don't know what attitude thew will
take on state taxation. They are passiveIv
waiting on the future in the hope of nonu
TAR 0iSCOntent with the new lau,s -.