Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-12
AN ISSUE ELIMIN ATED
EFFECT OF MARYLAND ELECTION
ON WEST VIRGINIA.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
WHEELING, w. Va. November IL, 1908
The democrats of West Virginia lost one
prospective issue when the Poe amendment
was turned down in Maryland, but with
their eyes to the west they figure that they
can get encouragement out of ONO, ana
they will try to arraign the people against
the republican machine" Strictly speak
ing in review of conditions, there is no
machine in West Virginia, as the term is
generally applied although there. is a close
corporation relative to the office distrlbu-
tionss There was the same thing in evidence,
however when the democrats were In the
saddle, and the world was not overturned
when the republicans got hold.
From the democratic standpoint II Is re-
garded as better that the German scheme
was repudiated in Maryland. The negro
domination issue in West Virginia has
never been taken seriously, and 1t wouIo
have been laughed out of court if showed
into 5paramountcy next year. Inc patron
saint of this theory for democratic success
is George Byrne of Charleston ana IN spite
of The MARYLAND result, he insists that IL
will be a leading issue next year in TINS
state Byrne was drafted by Senator Cor
man for speeches in Maryland, and he &C
quilted himself with distinction relative 10
the colored brother. and it was not Byrne s
fault that the Maryianders couldn't see IL
that way.
As to Bossism.
There is no boss in West Virginia. as
bosses go in more populous communities.
The nearest approach probably would be
Gov Dawson or Senator Elkins and both
have an abiding confidence in the people,
and hence would not attempt to push their
individual desires too far Gov. Dawson
always keeps his ear to the ground, ana
lust a few months ago, when the machine
cry was raised with a certain intensity, ne
sion IN eXhANStiEely debate the
subject He said with truth that ma
chine or a boss was distastefui TO the peo-
pie of West Virginia, and that ms oppo-
nents exhibited shreWdnesS Wneh tleg
sought to stimulate an agitation along That
line To show that he was not a boss. ana
that he did not favor the manipulalion vi
conventions the governor came OUT LOT tIe
nomina ton of representatives ana the state
ticket by primary vote at a general state
primary. The only exception he made was
the nomination of the partys preference
for United States senator by primary vote
It cannot be said that The governors
primary suggestion has met with unanimous
favor, although it strengthened ms posi-
ton Mr.. Dawsons sincerity was ques-
toned by certain of his party antagonists,
who expressed the suspicion that the pr
maries could be controlled as successfully
by the governor as his friends dld TOT hlfn
in the notable case or hanaWha county.
Rut at any rate, the existence of boss
who can dictate with reasonable assurance
that his dictation will be followed by an
organization Is not in evidence in this
state.
Work of So-Called Machine.
The existence of q machine comes nearer
the mark. It's presence is seen IN the way
the followers of the governor have replaced
the men who supported Teter in state ana
federal offices, and in the way the Dawson
administration tried to nominate and elect
a representative of its particular clan in
the second district an undertaking that
was sienally unsuccessful. The Stating or
the next state ticket SO far in advance, and
composed of the Dawson persuasion eX-
clusvely, lends a certain color to the ma
chine cry. This particular feature pro-
vokes a resentment among many repupil-
cans, and the democrats will encourage the
resentment all they can and concentrate
their fire on Governor Dawson without
the assistance. of Roosevelt wave tne
anti-machine cry will cut inquire, ana IL
can be offset by the peoples enthusiasm Tor
the new Dawson tax system, II that system
happens to be more popular next year;
Next year this system Will be on triai
more acuteiy than this year.
In Dovener's District.
W. p Hubbard of Wheeling is getting
boom for the republican nomination for
Congress to get which he would have to
defeat his fellow-townsman. Representa-
tive B. b. Dovener. 1t is believed he can
bard was the republican candidate several
wears ago. when the district was repre-
sented by John o. Pendleton. a democrat.
but lie could not overcome the democratic
majority then in force. The nomination OF
republican nowadays Is equivalent 10
election.
Hubbard would be a commanding figure
in Congress, and is today one of the most
prominent figures in state affairs, but. like
George c. Sturgiss of the second district
and men of like temperament, he would not
bend his neck fraction of inch to
get vote. In a battle he could defeat
Doveuer but his closest friends say he will
not enter the lists. and therefore it Is con-
coded that Dovener's lease will not be in
terrupted. Emmett Showalter and Lamar
c. Powell. both of Fairmont have been
mentioned as possible contestants, but II
is not probable that either viii go against
the lucky Dovener.
Representative Hughes, in the fifth d.s-
trict this week officially announced his can
didacy for denomination and election. and