Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14
BIG SPEAKERS HEARD
-s,-.s.s=
SECRETARY SHAW AND seUNCLE
JOE" IN WEST VIRGINIA.

and Cannon have doomed out the opening
Of the republican campaign in West vir-
ginia, but after their going there is nothing
In the way Of imported talent In sight. Eff
forts have been made by the republican
state committee to interest Senator Bever-
idge. Attorney General Moody. Charles
Emory Smith and other distinguished spell
binders. but the negotiations have not been
promising. Senator Scott. Gov. Dawson and
probably Senator Elkins will fill up the gap,
along with all the congressional candidates
and various degrees OF local orators.
The democrats. have not succeeded In ar
ranging for speechfest, II. indeed, they
have made a try. For time they had ropes
out for Senator Tillman. who would have q
peculiar interest for West Virginians this
year, but that line has been turned aside.
So far the democrats have generously and
ness by a desire to let Colonel Apathy alone.
Only In the third district have there been
signs of their vitality, and there George
Byrne, for want Of much else to do, has
Of defeating Representative, Gaines or pull
ing down his majority. Byrne has forced
Gaines to take the field earlier than was
called for by the program.
Hughes, in the fifth; woodward. in the
fourth and Hubbard. in the first, have
been resting on their oars, preparatory to
a whooping revival to begin next week.
Sturgiss. in the second, got a start a few
Judge Dent. T. S. Riley, who Is Hubbard's
opponent, has been circulating around more
for the purpose of getting In touch with the
local conditions in the eight counties that
will decide his fate.
Woodyard's Strenuous Duties.
woodward has been kept in Parkersburg
by his duties as republican state chairman,
an office imposed upon him a few months
ago. when George Wise, who had been
elected to the place, found that his health
prevented his service. woodward will leap
into his struggle against George Washing
ton Hardman, democrat. who also follows
his party's example religiously to gum
shoe" it these frosty autumn days.
Senator Scott, always q tower Of strength
his services to help the boys out in an ora
torical way. and he will begin an itinerary
OF the state Monday morning. He will speak
first in Woodyards district. in Ritchie
county, and travel by stages through the
third. fifth and second districts. Senator
Scott has helped his party literally in a.
financial way. and especially at times when
campaign funds were needed. and there is
q large demand for his services on the
stump He is not in the Brutus class as an
orator, but for good. logical. business
mans talk to the voters, 1t is said he fills
the bill in q way that counts.
Tax Bills Popular.
1T Is pretty generally known that the
oCAioSAolc 1CdAAC tAO popularity VI Lie
lower tax bills. and the difficulty of meet
ing actual savings in dollars and cents. so
far as the masses are concerned, with
theories directed at certain weaknesses
The fact that railroads and other corpora
lions have to pay more taxes, while the
farmers. as q rule. and the small home
owners will pay less. because Of the sub
scheme OF direct taxation of visible prop
erty, Is an obstacle somewhat disconcert-
ing to democratic candidates.
When there was an uproar some months
issue. and the continued existence Of fac
tional feeling In the republican ranks.
democratic hopes hung high. but as the
campaign has progressed the republicans
have warmed together with that tendency
to discipline characteristic of the party,
and unless they get quiet vote. not now
evident to locate. from the dominant party.
the democracy 1t Is conceded. will not poll
"a normal vote. Repeated defeats have dis
Eheartened them. .And they have no funds
About the only acute break in the republic
can battalions left over Is located in Mercer
county. It springs from the very bitter
contest for a circuit judgship nomination
between Herndon OF Mcdowell, and Ritz
of Mercer. The state committee gave a de-
ciston in controversy displeasing to the
Ritz forces. AS result the county COM
mittee of Mercer, through Chairman Carter,
has refused to recognize speakers sent into
the county from the state headquarters at
Z
neither assign dates nor select speaking
places. Open rebellion against the state
organization has been declared.
g :: Occasionally Democratic.
The circuit comprises Monroe, Mercer and
Mcdowell counties. Of which Monroe is the
only one that goes democraticc, and that
only occasionally. Both Herndon and Ritz
will be candidates for the Office at election,
one being considered legally to enjoy the
republican column on the ballots in one
county and not in another. But the total
republican vote in the district so much
overwhelms the combined democratic vote
that even should the democrats put up
candidate for judge he could not expect to
poll votes in excess Of that cast for either
Of the two republicans.
Consequently the democrats will not make
a nomination but will vote their prefer
ences as between Ritz and Herndon. What
Is known as the machine is for Herndon
ana although Ritz may wage a hard fight,
the chances for him to lose are better than
his, Mcdowell opponents. 1t is said of
Herndon that, like great many of the
present republican Office holders and office
seekers, he was a former democrat