Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-04-06

gates pledged to make him the most
formidable candidate for the nominal
ton.
Mr.. Fairbanks has had the Presi-
Dental bee in his bonnet for many
years. He was great favorite of
President Mckinley. and many persons
believe that Mr.. Mckinley desired to
see Mr.. Fairbanks succeed him in
the Presidential chair.
There have recently been long con-
ferences between Indiana politicians,
Mr.. Fairbanks, and his friends, and
there Is good reason to believe that a
great deal has been accomplished in
the way of perfecting the organization
formed for the purpose of securing the
Republican nomination for Indiana's
son two years hence.
Beveridge Is In Line.
Everything is said to be lovely for
Mr.. Fairbanks in Indiana He has
cleaned up the opposing faction in the
Republican party there, headed by the
youthful Senator Beveridge, who is un-
derstood to have responded SO readily
to the treatment applied that he now
gives three cheers every time the name
Of Fairbanks is mentioned in his pres
ence. Senator Beveridge is no longer
in position to hamper the progress
of the Fairbanks boom in Indiana. In
the factinal fight over the State chair
manship, Mr.. Beverage suffered an ig-
neminious rout. and even IL he does
not train with Mr.. Fairbanks in the
future. he will not actively oppose
him. /,
Following Senator Hanna's Methods.
In his campaign to secure delegates
for William Mckinley in 1896, Marcus
A. Hanna began his operations in the
South. He had securely nailed down
that section before the representatives
Of other candidates had begun to work.
Mr.. Hanna enlisted in the cause a
number of young men, who went out
looking for delegates and got them.
Mr.. Fairbanks knows something about
the methods of Mr.. Hanna, and his rep
resentatives are now treating with
leading party men in the South. While
the Republican party in the South fs
short on votes on election day, it IL
long on delegates in the national con-
vention. This fact is keenly appreci-
ated by Mr.. Fairbanks.
Chances In IHlnois.
The Vise-Prssidsnt is certain Of In
diana'S delegates, and he Is counting
upon Illinois. His fortunes in that
State are in the hands of Charles G.
Dawes, former Comptroller of the Cur.
rency, one of Mr.. Hanna's young men"
in the pre-convention campaign made
in the interest of the candidacy OF Mr..
Mckinley. Fairbanks had strong and
influential friends in Illinois and his
chances of securing the delegation from
that State are probably better than
those of any other man who has been
mentioned for the Presidential nom
nation, with the exception of Speaker
Cannon. Mr.. Dawes Is understood to
| be the western manager of the Fair.
banks boom. At least. such a report
was circulated recently, and it has
never been denied.
The Vice-President and his friends
| profess to believe the next standard
bearer of the Republican party win be
western man. Ohio has two favorite
sons in the persons of Secretary Taft
and Senator Foraker. Both are very
| strong in Ohio and both are widely
and favorably known throughout the
| country. The Fairbanks men believe
that the rivalry of Taft and Foraker
will prevent either of them securing
the united support of Ohio's delegation
to the next convention. Therefore
Fairbanks is figuring on the Buckeye
state. Some of the Hoosier's friends
are very enthusiastic, and to hear then
one would think that the formalities Of