Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-26
KEIM THE FAVORITE
PROSPECT OF HIS NOMINATION TO
SUCCEED DAYTON.
Republicans of the Second West Vir-
ginia District in Convention
at Keyser.

| Special Dispatch TO The Star.
! KEYSER W. Va, April 26-It is fully
predicted by politicians that unless there be
| a miscarriage of plans that Noah G. kelm
! of Elkins will be nominated for Congress
| by the republican convention here today to
| succeed Aston G. Dayton, elevated to the
| federal bench in West Virginia. Interest
| in the convention is only second to that of
| the recent republican gubernatorial con-
| vention in this state. AS then there is now
| a lineup of Dawson and Teter factions
! There will be no nomination on the first
| ballot, when in each instance favorite sons
will be remembered. A break that will be
| decisive is expected in about the fourth pal
| lot.
| Keyser is so crowded with politicians that
! all accommodations were overtaxed, ana
| last night many were compelled to walk the
| streets. No proxies being allowed. each
candidate arranged that every delegate pos
| sibe should be here. There are 251 dele
gates. and it was hardship for many to
| reach Keyser, some points in the district
| being forty miles from railroad.
| The town is plastered with pictures OF the
| candidates, and nearly every man, woman
and child to be seen is wearing silk badge.
Each Candidate Active.
| The advertising of the merits of the as
| pirants has been most complete each can
| didate having score cards distributed IN the
| convention. One candidate, James 5. La
| kin of Terra Alta, who Is backed by the
friends of Governor Dawson and who, 1t
| is acknowledged. will develop the greatest
strength, probably seventy votes, on the
| first ballot, brought a brass band and two
| hundred rOoters, who are most demonstra-
| tive.
| While the Teter influence said to be anti
| Elkins, is generally believed to be in favor
| of Ira Z. Robinson of Grafton, the impress
| sion of many on the inside is that at the
| proper time 1t will be exerted for keim.
| Robinson is d brother-in-law of Judge
| Dayton. Keim is chairman of the district
congressional committee and has partici-
| pated in several fights for Dayton. 1t has
| been understood for many months that
| should Dayton leave Congress his influence
! was to go to kem.
A significant fact Is that Capt. Davis Elk
| ms, son of Senator Elkins, is here working
| for anybody to beat Keim. 1t is claimed
that Keim had Senator Elkins against him
| for the nomination. He carried Randolph
county, the home of both. While Senator
Elkns made no fight against Keim, How
ard Sutherland, whom Keim defeated for
the county delegation. was backed. it was
claimed, by Elkins but this the friends of
the latter deny.
Keim's friends declare that the open OPP
position of Elkins to him has been great
help, and especially since there is a revolt
in the party against Elkins himself.
Prayer for the President.
The convention was called to order by
Mr.. Keim.
Rev. DR.. W. A. Contz, formerly of Win
chester, Va, pastor Of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church here, made a prayer in which
he especially asked for the protection of
the President of the United States. Among
other things he asked that the President
'be protected from the ravenous wolf
This caused many heads that We're bowed
to look up
| Frank c. Reynolds OF Keyser is perma-
nent chairman and j. Ed Frye of Keyser
secretary of the convention.
After the naming of the committees The
convention took recess until l o'clock.
From the surface the fight is still any
| mans John j. Hetzel of Martinsburg is
| expected to develop strength. while the
| candidacy of State Senator l.. J. Forman of
Grant is formidable. Kem. however, seems
to be backed by the politicians and wire
| pullers.