Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-23
STRIKES THE AUTO GAIT
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR TO
USE TOURING CAR.
VIM. n. Hearne to Climb the West
Virginia Hills-Other Aspirants
Taking Notice.

to the novelty Of an automobile canvass Of
the fifty-five counties of the state by Will
liam H, Hearne Of Wheeling, one Of the
three avowed candidates for the republican
nomination for governor. This style OF
touring is appropriate since Mr.. Hearne is
among the most enthusiastic of the good
roads advocates. being vice president Of
the state association and pioneer in the
movement for better highways.
When the Hearne candidacy was an
nounced a few days ago the partisans of
the other candidates State Auditor Scherr
and Secretary of State Swsher. expressed
no concern. believing that Hearne would be
content with a receptive or mildly agrees
sive position. But. contrary to this expec-
tation, he proposes to stir the state from
end to end and will conduct most vigor-
Gus search for support In a few days he
Will be free from legal and business en-
fuential workers in every county see
that they are seen. He has an ample
share Of worldly goods. is endowed with
the energy to go after things. and being in
dead earnest he is certain to be much more
Of a factor than was at first anticipated.
Although Wheeling has a United States
senator and representative in Congress,
its claim for the governorshp is not con-
great part Wheeling and the Northern
Panhandle play in West Virginia's desti-
MES. Ohio county, Of which Wheeling Is
the county seat. never had governor. I'M
less George Wesley Atkinson, once a resi-
dent of Wheeling, now judge of the Court
of Claims at Washington, could be so con-
sidered, but he was kanawha county
product, born and bred. and made that
county his home after retiring from the
governorshp.
People Are Indifferent.
1t is an appreciate fact that the people
at large are Indifferent to the impending
race for the governorship. Only the poll
ticians have so far manifested much inter-
est, and the majority of them refuse to
commit themselves because they first want
to have positive assurance of the band
wagons direction. While there poten-
tial circumstances which give the chief
strength to the Swisher cause. there is con-
siderable hating here and there: The
Swisher people expect to start the ball
rolling late in the winter early in the
spring with county conventions which will
instruct for SWisher one after the other,
right off the bat" Such "a development
would start the rush to the Swisher wagon
and be of material sentimental effect
among the plain citizens who so far refuse
to be drawn into the arena
When the Hearne automobile gets going
the popular awakening may be hurried.
Hearnes many local admirers firmly be-
lieve that he is a sule winner in a beauty
contest, by which is meant personal ad
dress and bearing, a consideration which
Will count among the large element who
think a governor should look the part and
who are wont to say that neither Swisher
nor Scherr has the traditional gubernato-
rial front. The Hearne admirers, there
fore, say there will be nothing to it if the
three men are placed on exhibition at the
same time before the drawing for delegates
begins.
Although active in politics a decade
or two agone, Hearne has not been busy in
RIt he nr1n Loft
the necessity of getting in touch with the
people. Next to the success of his effort
interest will be attached to his success in
climbing the VIGOROUSLY poor roads in some
of the mountain sections. The roads at the
best not worth hallelujahs, and the
worst ones defy description. If Candidate
Hearne masters them all, good bad and in
different. with his whizz wagon, his feat
will without doubt appeal to popular senti-
ment. This will be very credita BILE
achievement in itself. Where there are no
clinched Swsher or Scherr affiliations he
will certainly attach to his standard a nu-
merous following.
Collides With Hall Interests.
Hearne's activity has depressed the desire
of Postmaster James X. Hall of Wheeling
to announce himself for auditor, but his
name will probably be presented to the con-
vention in the event of Hearne's failure to
land first place on the ticket. Hall has re-
tanned much of the cordial support given
when he was defeated by Scherr seven
years ago, and he will be backed by another
loyal contingent at home. His prospects all
revolve around the Hearne candidacy. If
Hearne had delayed his own announcement
a few weeks Hall might have preceded him.
John T. Harris, chief clerk of the senate
since the republicans carried the state, an
nounces himself for secretary of state. AS
Joseph Gray of Writ and B. O. Holland
of Logan are already announced, this means
tlNraa Mont Y.i,,fr 1f
ton, who apparently has the call at pres
ent. The fifth congressional district has
been rather shy in developing state ticket
timber, although contributing the largest
republican vote, but the leaders in Nc
Dowell, Mercer and other coal counties
who have been active mostly in figuring
on likable ticket made up from other
districts may decide later to cut in with
one of their own.
Lacked Encouragement.
Judge Joseph NJ. Sanders of Mercer, who
resigns from the supreme bench at the
end of this month, wanted to run for gov
ernor, but evidently did not receive suffi-
cient encouragement. Attorney General
Clark w. May of Lincoln county, In the
same district, wanted to do the same thing
and had figured on getting Gov Dawson's
support, but since 1t has developed that the
governor prefers Swisher there is nothing
for May to do but to run on his own hook
which he will hardly do, as there is an i'm
preston that he will endeavor to help
Soherr May and Scherr have had some
kind of an understanding that they were to
combine If necessary to defeat Swisher
May has informed inquirers that he does
not want the attorney generalship again.
He might take it into his head to run for
the supreme bench. There will be three of
the five places in the court to hand around,
because of two designations and one expi-
ration.
w. r. Thompson of Huntington is coming
into prominent notice for the democratic
gubernatorial nomination, which he failed
to connect with at the state convention
the last time If supported by the Chiffon
faction again he will win Thompsons can
ddacy will naturally suppress the Adam
B. Littepage boom.
Dog Stops Train Service.
rnNNE>Y SyTJIE d, On