Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-07
TO KEEP ELKINs QUIET
HIS UNCLE NOMINATED 10 oP-
POSE LAKIN.

WHEELING, w. Va, May 6-Sharp poll
tics was played b. the democrats of the
second congressional district at keyser this
week when they nominated Col. Thomas b.
Davis for the Dayton Vacancy in the
House Of Representatives. II that nomina-
ton will not embarass Senator Elkins they
miss their guess. The senator's wife is a
daughter of Henry G. Davis, the late vice
presidential candidate, who is Col Tom 8
elder brother. Five years ago the colonel
was candidate against Judge Dayton. and
on that occasion Senator Elkins was forced
to show his hand, which incidentally caused
a family mix-up. He lay low last fall when
his father-in-law was a candidate as vice
president, and he is not expected to be per-
nciously active a second time against the
brother of Henry G.
Senator Elkins is given credit for the
nomination of James s. Lakin, the republi-
can candidate.
Following the Lakin nomination Senator
Elkins gave out that he had taken no part
in the contest but would actively support
the nominee. The second district is the
senator's congressional district. His own
turn for reelection is not far off. 1t is
incumbent upon him to get active in West
Virginia politics, for his large business in
terests and his residence in Washington
have got him out of touch good deal with
political developments of late in this state.
This special congressional election would
time lost last fall, when his father-in-law
was on the democratic national ticket. but
the unexpected nomination of Col. Tom will
put him in corner.
Teter Faction Angered
Little was seen of the Dawson-Teter fight
at the republican convention, which was
really a peaceful and harmonious affair.
despite it's multiplicity of candidates, and
the old factionalism might not have entered
into the approaching election If subsequent
federal appointments had not been of a ma
ture to awaken the slumbering fires. Inter-
nal Revenue Collector Glasscock named his
big staff of assistants this week, and he
carefully pruned away all the old officials
who were with Teter in his government
fight: All along the line the pro-Teter men
are being punished in this way for their
opposition to the man who became gov
ernor, Mr.. Dawson.
Senator Elkins is held responsible. for this
chopping process, and to a lesser extent
Senator Scott. Gov. Dawson is considered
to have asked for certain scalps and these
have been forthcoming. The Dawson state
machine is pledged to Elkins support for
another term and as Lakin is the candi-
date of the Elkins-Dawson combination, it
is natural that many Teter men will not
be over-cordial to Lakin, in view of the
punishment being meted out to them.
But il Lakin Is not supported actively
now because of the Davis nomination, it
follows that Lakin's friends will feel sore
toward the senior senator and thus he will
have trouble on both sides in selecting his
legislature next year. The democrats care
more particularly about that proposition
than they do about a mere representative
in Congress. They know also that when
Senator Elkins said he would actively sup
port Lakin for election, he meant substan-
TALLY.
But will Elkins spend his money against
his relative? VIII he not. prefer peace
around the family circle?
Two Business Men Opposed.
Col. Tom is reported as being willing to
cor tribute $4,000 to secure his election. He
is a millionaire and could do it easily. He
locsed the hasp of his strong box consid-
erably last fall, for he apparently took
thar he did in his own case in 1900.
Candidate Lakin announces he will not
essay speechmaking campaign. He shows
his good judgment, for like Marc Antony.
he is a plain, blunt man. Col. Tom is also
not an orator, as Brutus was. There is to
be no speechmaking.
The democrats met the republicans at
their own game by putting up a business
man instead of the conventional lawyer.
Mr.. Lakin expects to handshake his way
into Congress with the assistance of the
full republican vote. His campaign COM
mittee will circulate letters among the 3d.
COD republican voters, and to some extent
among the democrats. The election will be
held June g. 1t is to be a campaign be-
tween two business men, one about forty
five years, the other seventy-seven 1t will
cost much to get out the vote, and as Mr..
Lakin is only passing rich. Senator Elkins
Is expected to stop the leakages But if he
has been marooned by the Davis selection
the chances for election are at least equal.