Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-18
DAWSON ELKINS DEAL
ALLEGED COALITION IN WEST
VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN.

WHEELING. W. Va, March Ex-senator
Elkins. fluancier; Gov Dawson, referee
On this basis the suews of war will be
provided and the republican legislative cam
didates selected for the state campaign this
year It is alleged TO comprise the sum
and substance Of the Elkins-Dawson pact
and should clear away the whirlwind OF
guessing and Conjectures aroused py the
problem play created by recent surprising
twists with Mr. Dawson In the steilar roie
The governors last visit to Washington
followed by his immediate Endorsement OF
Senator ElkIns' amendments to the hep
burn BILL has stirred up a pool OF wonder
ment just a few weeks previously, the day
subsequent to his celebrated letter TO Sela-
tor Tillman, when the South Carolina man
was informed thai lie was nearer r-sh'
than Senator Elkins,' Gov. Dawson de-
cIared publicly that he stood with president
Roosevelt and for the Hepburn Dill he
amplified and strengt hened this declaration
by the statement that tie people could not
be fooled by various senator-a! assaults On
the Santo Domingo business. Joint state
hood and so on made TO weaken the Presi-
dents position.
The Dawson stand on that point was re-
ceived with great acclaim Instantly VISIONS
of a battle for the Elkins toga resulted
But when the governor said he would serve
out his term, his closest followers prepared
10 Inc up for ex-C;0v. a. B. White or some
other republican closer TO Dawson than Ell
kins What Dawson said at that time COM
plfcated the general status of affairs In re-
publican circles Tho Tillman letter alone
aroused the resentment of Senators Elkihs
and Scott. The rabid Dawsonites, VINO hau
never thought of opposition to Elk.ns from
that source were ready to line up along
that sup3ostious line, while the so-called
insurgents or Teter following did not say
what they would do.
Shifting of the Scenes.
With Dawson now PROFESSIONALLY affil,-
ated with the Elkins reelection propos--
ton, the scenes take on another shift, with
somewhat of a reversal. Various criticisms
OF Elkins from Dawson subsidiary camps
will have TO he remodeled. Having been
mere onloolers, the insurgents, however,
can still fight on the same old line. They
have never forgiven Senator Elk:ns for his
decision as chairman of the Wheeling con-
vention, when he passed favorably on the
motion to waive a committee Of credentials
From this ruling the ant.-Dawson republl-
cans date the Dawson nomination. They
have been specifically inactive for months
What they lacked in their state cam
paign was publicity for their end of the
game. They have steadily been making up
for lost ground. and their most shining,
achievement materialized this week, when
George c. Mcintosh, the most consistent
and strenuous antt-Elkins and anti-Dawson
man, secured control Of the only two re-
publican papers at the state capital, and he
is expected to enhance the gayetles OF the
times after April /. The insurgent press Is
scattered literally, and continuous IN
stead of a spasmodic performance is due
20 run. The only feature of uncertainty
is the republican who is to be pitted against
Elkins and doubtless this Is consideration
which must wait on developments.
Clear-Cut Program.
The Dawson E,lkins program is clear cut
Elkins wants a legislature which Will re-
elect him. Dawson wants a legislature In
sympathy with his administration in state
affairs Elkins will supply the needful and
Dawson will pass on the merits or de1ner-
its of the candidates offered. If certain
candidate be right on the senatorshfp phase
and at fault on proposed or recently enact
ed state legislation, that gentleman Will be
blackballed 1t is a powerful combination,
backed by the federal and state machinery,
with Dawson holding the high cards. Daw-
son is in more Intimate touch with the peo-
ple and has the issues With his only in
tersst his retention at Washington. ElkinS
sees the point and will not attempt to sub
stitute his credentials for any legislative
seeker over the Dawson def.
The prestige Dawson acquired by his
stand-pat declaration on the Roosevelt rate
idea is suffering from his late approval OF
Senator E1kins' proposed amendments, 1t
will not be surprising. therefore, If the gov
ernOr next explains what q certain percent
age Of the peheians Just now want light
upon. In fact. many Of them are beginning
to think there is more or less skill behind
whole lot Of the maneuvering on the rail-
road regulation. question which emanates
from practical political minds. With the eX
az a feeling
drifting TO a mood where they imagine they
are up against bunko game
State Stirred to the Depths.
West Virginia has been stirred to the
depths by the railroad agitation 1t has be
come storm center. furnishing much Of
the thunder. but there are suspicious form
ing that far-seeing politicians are intent
only on playing 10 the gallery. The plebe-
fans cant be blamed for this, in view OF
the mass Of declare tons and explanations
conflicting interviews and announcements of
Senators Elkins and Scott and Mr.. Dawson
Representative woodward. who is Elkins
right bower in the congressional delegation
has been brought into play to exploit the
Elkins amendments, but the others are
saving wood.
The railroad virus has got into democratic
veins likewise. Stuart w. Walker. defeated
for Congress IN the second district by Austen
q. Dayton, wants 70 go to the state SEN
ate from the eastern panhandle district,
and his nomination threatens Il revolt in
that democratic stronghold, This IS because
he has been railroad attorney and Is the
law partner OF Charles James Faulkner. the
last democrat to represent West Virginia in
the United States Senate and whose &C
tivity for railroad interests at Washington
IS being given prominence in magazine and
less pretentious mediums. John r. Janney,
who is hghting Waller for the legisla ture,
is running on a 2-cent fare and kindred
radical railroad planks The republicans In
that district are waiting to SEQ how the
democratic convention pans out.