Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-30
NEITHER PARTY SURE
WEST VIRGINIA POLITICIANS AT
SEA ON PRESIDENCY.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

WHEELING, w. Va, June 20. 1907.
Although there has been considerable dis
cussion Of q scattering nature regarding
West Vtrginias sentiment on presidential;
candidates. nothing has developed SO far
In either the republican or democratic par
ties to give the observer a definite line
It seems to be a safe bet that the demo-
cratic delegation or the major part thereof
will be for Bryan About all the repubii-
cans mentioned for presidential honors
have their followings, and at this stage it
looks like the state could be captured by
the aspirant who would put up a stin
fight for it. The upshot of 1t. however.
promises to be that West Virginia will
send to the next republican convention an
instructed Roosevelt delegation.
This is despite the Presidents election
night pronouncement. Some Taft senti-
ment has been displayed, which was given
prominence with tho report that Gov. Daw-
son, Representative Hubbard and Repre-
sentative Sturgiss have decided to support
the War Secretary. But this sentiment
and file as to awaken particular enthus!-
asm. while the politicians as class ap
pear to be Indifferent or waiting. Micaw-
ber-like. for something to turn up.
Owing to the agitation relative to COR
porate taxation in this state for three or
four years the chances of a so-called re-
action are not specifically bright. It
is to be noticed that there is a disposition
In West Virginia to put Senator Knox in
this class, and in this effort those who are
suspected Of Taft leanings play a con-
spicuous part 1t Is not at all unlikely that
there will be a division among the repub-
licans on the presidential proposition which
will duplicate the alignments on the gov
.ernorship situation three years ago.
The Old Alignment.
In the main those who supported Gov.
Dawson for the nomination will be for
Taft. while those who supported Charles
F. Teter will be for Knox. A division on
these lines again does not indicate that
the faction successful three years ago
would be successful again by any means,
since there would be wheels within wheels
and other twistings.
The Moundsvile Chautauqua has a con-
ditional promise from Secretary Taft that
he will made an address there the Fourth
Of July. and II he makes his appearance
some line may be got on the local strength
to be attached to his boom. Taft is not
any more popular in West Virginia than
Knox is, or Fairbanks, or any Of the other
probable candidates, simply because none
of them has yet attempted to cultivate
the field. Virtually the only idea Of their
prospective strength is in the popular clas-
siflcation of them as they stand with re-
spect to President Roosevelt's principal
policies.
Certain state leaders say 1t is more than
likely that in some Of the West Virginia
districts delegations will be sent to the
convention with instructions to vote for
Roosevelt again. This policy appears to be
satisfactory to both those who are clamor-
Gus for a successor to Roosevelt who will
be considered second edition of himself
and those who think there have been enough
agitation, regulation and legislation along
Rooseveltian lines Should 1t thus hap
pen that both sides agree to work on the
magic of Roosevelt's name the outcome of
West Virginia's position will not be dis
closed finally until the scene Is shifted to
the national convention.
1t will not be surprising If the federal
off1ceholders are found later coupled up
with most of the so-cailed state machine
for Taft. The evident lack of impetus to
such a movement does not assure wild en-
thus.asm, however and II the combine Is
effected 1t may suffer for want OF unanimity
or earnestness. so that recourse will be
had to instructed Roosevelt delegates with