Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-28
BOOM LACKS STRENGTH
MOVEMENT FOR EX-GOv. WHITE
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.


Special Correspondence Of The Star.
WHEELING. ". Va. July 81, 1907.
No word has been received of a spread of
the White propaganda from its starting
point in Kingwood. the capital of Preston
county. The boom for the ex-governor to
succeed Gov. Dawson was taken up by
committee of Preston county republicans,
who announced a circular-letter crusade.
with which they hoped to enlist the support
Of other counties.
The circular has not yet been distributed,
and 1t is doubtful whether 1t has been
formulated. and also doubtful whether 1t
will be outlined at all. Sufficient publicity
to the movement has been given to feel out
White sentiment. If that was the object of
the Kingwood affair. Expressions favor
able to White have been profuse and highly
eulogistic. but it Is noticeable that they
refer to the man separate from his cam
didacy for a second term, except in quar-
ters where he has followers who would be
for him for anything, or where 1t is con-
sidered the fashion to take administration
medicine without bubble or questioning.
Talk Of White has served the purpose of
crystallizng anti-Swisher sentiment. and
also Of again stirring up boom for Arnold
c. Scherr the state auditor Scherr refuses
to define himself. 1t IS said his physicians
have discountenanced a campaign on his
part, and intimates of Scherr assert that
he would not consider the nomination I'M
less it could be acquired without a trench
dous' physical strain.
White Non-Committal.
Ex-Gov. White refuses to say he will not
be a candidate, answering all inquiries with
the statement that he is not a candidate at
the present writing, and would only con-
slider becoming one under circumstances
which would warrant it from the stand
cies with which the White and Dawson
administrations are aligned.
The former governor says he does not pro-
pose that the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
shall name the candidate for governor.
Unfortunately Mr.. White does not turn an
X-ray this reference so as to make it
definitely applicable to the situation. A
great many people do not readily see why
this any other railroad should concern
itself with the political situation in West
Virginia in the near future inasmuch as
the last two legislatures provided about
all the railroad legislation popularity de-
manded. The only exception was the rail-
road commission bill, and this did not find
favor because, in the first place. there was
nc popular clamor for it, despite vigorous
insistence in administration circles, and.
secondly. because the Hepburn rate bill was
regarded fully meeting all the require
ments. since coal, the main species Of
freight. is almost entirely interstate traffic.
The railroads were forced this year to go
to a 2-cent-fare basis for passenger traffic.
Under the new assessment system they pay
an immense share of the taxes their
sessments having been lacked up many
fold. Having been forced to submit to the
only two concessions demanded. it is there
fore difficult to reason out why the railroads
should be anxious to fix up things in the
matter of a governor, although Mr.. White
may get more specific on that point after
the campaign approaches closer to the con-
Guiding stage. Certain 1t is that the candi-
date who can muster up an anti-railroad or
anti-corporation issue stands a fair chance
of pulling the humble voter his way.
Democrats Rejoicing
Along the railroad line it Is. perhaps, in
teresting to observe the rejoicing among
West Virginia democrats at Mr. Bryan's
late utterance, that government ownership
is an ultimate and not an immediate issue.
Without exception his party oracles in this
state disposed to congratulate him on
his qualification. His Madison Square Gar
den surprise Disguised John 7. McGraw,
other leading democrats who journeyed to
New York as West Virginia home welcom-
ers. and since that time they have been
less ardent toward the Nebraskan al
though admitting his continued hold on
the rank and file. Now both leaders and
rank and file breathe easier, for Bryan's
explanation, although belated, viii sort of
harmonize things. 1t will undoubtedly
clarity the atmosphere when the business
of picking the West Virginia delegation to
the national convention is at hand.
Henry G. Davis some months ago de-
clared himself in Judge Grays behalf,
announcement that failed to excite ripple.
c. c. Watts, former attorney general, and
candidate for governor. came out
for Senator Daniel. Judson Harmon of
Cincinnati and Gov. Johnson of Minnesota
also are acceptable to some others. But 1t
will be nothing but Bryan when the roll Is
called.
Strother Out of the Running.
James Strother of Mcdowell county has
eliminated himself from consideration for
Congress in the fifth district, and John A.
Sheppard. prosecuting attorney of Mngo,
has done likewise. This means that Repre-
sentative James A Hughes will be I'M
opposed and that he will be reelected. as
the district Is largely republican. The only
congressional contest will be in the fourth
district, where there is a prospective field
looming up against Harry woodward. His
opposition centers in Wood county. which
will have within one vote half of the con-
vention representation. woodward will have
to get every other county to win Judge
Moss and Presley w. Morris. both Of Wood
are seriously talked Of, and choice be-
tween them must be determined before
either can begin on the other counties.
woodward will capture several Of the coun-
ties without trouble.
TRAIN FERRY TO IRELAND.