Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-12-01
ELKINS HAS WALKAWAY
West Virginia Statesman's Lead
ership Emphasized
TO HONOR SENATOR SCOTT
Junior Senator Touted as Successor to
corteiyou as Chair nan of the
National Committee.

National Committee.
Wheeling, w. Va, Nov 26.-With
the simmering down Of the election
aftermath TO the next Legislature there
is an urgent desire among the republl-
can members to hold an early caucus
and re-elect Senator Stephen B. FL
kns. The desire for urgency springs
largely from the fact that the sessions
will be called on to consider an amaz-
ing grist of bills, in which reforms of
devious turns will be precipitated to a
strenuous degree.
Senator Elkins' qualifications for re-
publican recognition and republican
leadership were demonstrated once
again in the late campaign. Proof of
his ability to do things aGs been shown
in the swan song of Judge Dent, the
defeated democratic candidate for con-
gress in the senator's district. The
Judge gives all the credit for his de-
feat by such surprising majority to
the senator. He omits credit what
ever to Sturgiss, the victor, or the or
gani2ation behind him and such is
sues as had play.
All Opposition.
A year ago Senator Elkins looked
good for struggle to retain his hold
on his party. Then there were other
ambitions of a possible clashing ma
ture. When Governor Dawson passed
him over to write to Senator Tillman
the average West Virginian prepared
to get front seat for the fight. The
perennial talk of Judge Golf entering
the lists was revived.
The so-called republican insurgent
faction was featured as a formidable
opposition to Senator Elkins' re-elec-
ton. He wiped out all opposition, even
to breath, when he made his speech
in the senate on the Hepburn bill and
when he followed 1t ZIP with two
amendments of peculiarly beneficial
character to the mining districts of
West Virginia, Whether the senator
was playing politics or not he Ger.
tainly hit the bell each time. His OPP
position faded as the mist before the
morning sun. There is no more talk
of Ex-Governor White, of Governor
Dawson, of Judge Golf, of Representa-
tive Gaines or of w. P. Hubbard con-
lestlhS LOT MS ldufelS.
Scott for Chairman.
So 1t will come to pass that Elkins
will be reelected triumphantly. 1t is
only a question now of whether the.
republican legislative caucus will be,
held earlier than usual 1t is believed
the senatorial matter will be got out
of the way on the first cash.
infArnctaI IN
the prospects of Senator N. B. Scott
for the craftsmanship of the national
committee. He has been mentioned
favorably as Chairman Cortelyou's sue
cessor, with decided opposition likely
only from Harry G. New, of Indiana,
Senator Scott has been the West Vir'
ginia member of the committee for
over 16 years. He was one of the old
Hanna-McKinley guard, and as safe,
iudicious pilot, without spectacular eff
fects, would fill the bill splendidly &C,
cordling to the West Virginia idea,
Since the election Of the senator's
fellow townsman, w. p. Hubbard, to
Dovener's seat in the lower house of
congress, gossip has increased that in
time Hubbard will be candidate fol
SCOTS shoes. The truth of this will
have a show when it comes to picking
out the state senator for the Wheeling
district two years hence, who, as
holdover, will have a vote on the sena-
torial consideration.
Hubbard for Governor.
Hubbard is incidentally being boom
ed as the next governor of West Vir-
ginia For either office he will have an
in 1nntial fnllnmino hnt for
he would have a more decided prefer
ence from the Dawson administration
-inasmuch as it is an open secret
that the governor himself covets
SCOTS senatorial shoes.
Representative Gaines will certainly
be trotted out if Dawson makes the
fight against Scott. Gaines will APP
peal to republicans who have not been
identified with either the Dawson or
anti-Dawson faction.
Senator Joe McDermott, of Morgan
town, has announced his candidacy for
president of the state senate. Like
wise Senator Gartlan, of Parkersburg,
Senator Marshall of Hancock county.
and nearly every republican holdover,
while the booming mill is at work on
Senator Hazlett, of Wheeling, and
other new blood.
The state administration will not
take a hand until alignments are nee
essary in the final stage. There will
be a clear field for all corners until
the crucial point is reached where
Governor Dawson decides that Gel
tain candidate will be cordial or un,
friendly to some of the pet measures
which he will propose IN his first legis-
lative message.