Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28
Nv EST VIRGINIA MOVES
SIGNIFICANCE OF OFFICE SHIFT
IN STATE COMMITTEE.
Gossip About Other Matters Political
and Observation-Disclosures
and Campaign Funds.

WHEELING, w. Va, May 81 1905.
Followers of the game politica; in West
Virginia have been interested in the siSnif-
canoe of the shifting around in the execu-
tive offices of the republican state execu-
tive committee The chairman. Elliott +.
Northcott of Huntington. and the secre-
tary, w E. Glasscock of Morgantown. have
resigned these offices. 1t is given out that
they did because of the federal offices
they hold, Northcott being district attor-
ney for the southern district, and Glasscock
the new internal revenue collector.
But neither gentleman resigned from the
committee, and the committee instead of
hlllng the vacancies they created, went
ahead and created the offices of vice chair
man and vice secretary. Charles w. Swish
er. secretary of state, was made vice chair
man, and Virgil l.. Highland of Clarks-
burg was made vice secretary. and Swisher,
at least, is not member of the committee.
The impression has been allowed to circu
late that Messrs. Glasscock and Northcott
did not desire to be at the head of the or
ganization because OF President Roosevelts
antipathy to such activity among federal
officeholders. No other reason for their
ton has been advanced
But the treasurer Of the committee IS
Charles d. Elliott of Parkersburg. who Is
United States marshal, so that this reason
does not appeal with much force. Like
wise Northcott was state chairman last
year, when he was a federal officeholder.
then being assistant district attorney. and
he and every other federal officeholder were
as 'perniciously active" as possible.
Slated for Nomination.
Northcott is slated as the republican
nominee for governor in 1908, and it might
seem that he desires to steer clear of the
unfavorable light that Governor Dawson
placed himself in when he hung on to the
state Craftsmanship up until almost the eve
of the convention that nominated him. He
hung on for weeks in the face of vehement
protests from the Teter following and in
spite of their efforts to GUST him The vice
Craftsmanship business, however is so far
beyond the next convention that the gov
ernorShip may not have been in Northcott's
mind. 1t could hardly have been bothering
Glasscock, who will not be candidate.
The selection of Swisher to be the nom
inal leader seems to sift down to a play
on the part of Senator Elllns to fasten
his grip on the state organization and guard
against undesirable contingencies in the
of his reelection, which is to be de-
cded in the legislative contests next year.
While Northcott and Glasscock are both
Elkins men, Swisher is far more daring
than Northcott, and as practical politician
Highland is superior to Gasscock. There
was really no immediate hurry for the
changes, but following their appointments
Northcott and Glasscock grasped the OPP
portunity to slip down at meeting called
incidentally to furnish help to the repub-
lican candidate for Congress in the second
district.
Vice Chairman Swisher who first an
nounced himself for governor before he
came out for his present office, desired the
honor for the good 1t may do in advancing
his political aspirations. 1t is something to
a man to succeed the present governor in
both his political and committee offices, and
SwSher intends make the q IT
He says he will be a candidate for the
United States Senate six years hence, and
while that announcement has not created
sensation 1t is taken for granted that he
will want either his present office repeated
or something equally as good or better.
White Highly Favored.
Federal and state responsibilities and
ton with the development that W. E. White
of Parkersburg. a brother of the former
governor, has been favored by both state
and nation. His appointment state par
don clerk at salary a few hundred dol
lars better than he receives chief dep
uty under Revenue Collector Glasscock is
bringing him congratulations since the de-
Veiopment. but trace of sarcasm may be
noted in those which come from the fac
ton of which the White-Dawson element
is not.
Here and there the point is discussed as
10 Wnetner a IeQefal O1TcehOlder. can also
be a salaried state officer. Mr.. Whites
warm friends disposed to sincerely con-
graduate him on his double recognition.
The job of state pardon clerk was ere
ated by the legislature last winter to take
the place of the state pardon board of
which Mr.. White of the members.
The members of this board We're paid
only $40 day for the actual time they put
in Mr. White continued to be a member
of this board while he acting revenue
collector. which was during the long and
apparently bitter contest to succeed the
late Collector Davis, and he was incidental
ly candidate for that office himself
Last year he unsuccessful candi-
date for circuit court judge in the Wood
county primaries. The federal office pays
him $500 year; the state Office 81 500
annually.
Now that Senator Elkins' committee has
concluded its hearing on the railroad regu-
lation matter he will be expected to do the
handsome for Mr.. Lakin, in the second dis
trct congressional fight.
When he was interviewed on the subject
of financial assistance within a week ago
Mr.. Eikns excused himself on the ground
that he was too busy with his committee
work. The solicitors will now go after him
with might and main. His relationship by
marriage to Col. Tom Davis helps put
the senator in an embarrassing position,
but he may be depended on to emerge sue
cessfully as he has in other tickiish expert