Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1906-09-23
CONSERVATION
IN CAMP OF THE
DAWSONITES
LIKEWISE IN THAT OF THE RI-
KINs HOST OVER THE PRO
POSED VISIT OF TLLMAN

ltoiioWing interesting letter:
Consideration has reigned In ad-
ministration circles since the am
nouncement OF the latest coup of
John t. McGraw. the Democratic Ma
tional Committeeman for West Vir-
ginia. Governor Dawson aud his
friends who are now engaged In a
desperate effort To control the next
Legislature. have thought that the
embarrassing Tillman episode had
slipped from the memory OF the op-
position. but just when they were be-
ginning TO feel secure. MIR. McGraw
secured the consent OF the South
Carolina statesman to make cam
paign in West Virginia.
What is now termed Governor
Dawson's indiscretion I'm writing to
Senator Tillman IL likely TO change
the political history OF the state. It
will be remembered that I'm an un.
thinking moment Governor Dawson.
while the rate bill was under discus
sion I'm Congress, wrote Senator TIL
man that West Virginia was com
pletely In the grasp OF the railroads.
and suggested some remedies. Then
the storm broke loose.
Senator Elkips was furious and
but for certain political exlgencies
would have then and there declared
war on the Governor. lie smotherd
his wrath. but his closest friends
know that he is but awaiting the
proper moment for revenge. The Till
man letter was held by Senator FL
kins to be a direct cut for him, and
the real motive OF the writer is as
much OF a mystery now as. ever.
THE Dawsonites have appeared
1 N"NN O'Si thc move uhu VIII appear
to the National Committee for some
OF the big guns to come and counter
act the Tillman effect. Speaker Can
non, who is a close friend of Con
gresham Joseph II. Gaines. is the
man most sought.
Conditions In West Virginia are
so chaotic this year that the Republi-
cans are dubious OF success In No.
vember. Senator Tillman's invasion
was not expected and will only serve
to complicate matters for the other
side. McGraw would have his dis
tinguished campaigner spend most of
his time in the Second District, where
the Republicans are divided into
many factions owing to the Dawson
Teter fight for Governor two years
ago
The term of Senator Elkins will
have expired in March and he must
look to the Legislature this fall for
reelection. The Senior Senator is
beset on all sides and he knows II.
In the first place there is iminent
danger OF a Democratic majority,
which means that McGraw, who is
waging the fight for the Democracy
will succeed him.
Times have changed since the
Wheeling convention nominated Daw-
son. Senator Elkins presided over
this gathering and in the Dawson in
terest entertained motion TO do
away with the Committee on Creden-
tials I'm the face of q score OF CON
tests. This fact lined up the strong
Teter faction against the Senator, and
IL IS a question whether he or Gov
ernor is the main object OF their
wrath
"The insurgents, however. have
been lighting very quietly. and n the
state goes Republican, will have a
majority in the Senate. They will
thus hold a club over Senator Elkins
I'm their demand that he line up the
administration men for amendments|
OF the tax system. Governor Daw-
son Is for the tax laws as they stand.
because he is the father Of them. ri
the Senator attempts to appease the
insurgent majority In the Senate he
i7 very likely to incur the enmlty Of
Dawson majority in the House"