Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-16
ARE AFTER THE HONORS
OPPOSITION TO TWO WEST vIR-
GINA REPRESENTATIVES,.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

SpeCldl Correspondence OF Tue Ctdf
WHEELING, w. Va. June 15 1907.
The two new faces In the congressional
delegation from West Virginia, Messrs.
Hubbard and Sturgiss, In the first and sec
ond districes, respectively, have evidently
encouraged ambition in the fourth and fifth
districts where opposition has developed to
Representatives woodward and Hughes. In
the third district Representative Joseph
surveys so far denomination talk goes.
Wood county has two prospective en-
trants for the republican congressional
nomination. One, Presley w. Morris, a
veteran editor and lawyer, has admitted
the impeachment. while the friends of the
other, Judge Hunter H. Moss, are feeling
their way. Morris has long cherished de-
sire to take up temporary residence in
Washington, and was anxious to see Wood
yard defeated a few years ago by James
Carter of DOddridge county. Morris might
not have come into the field now If another
In whom he had faith would make the race,
but he appears determined to try conclu-
sionS for the Wood county delegation first,
basing his future efforts on the result of
that initial test.
1t is said that back of the Moss
didacy is sentiment hostile to woodward
because of his failure to recommend the
appointment of Ben Stewart. the republic
can county chairman, for the Parkersburg
post office, although Judge Moss has other
boomers who are for him distinctly on his
conceded fitness and qualifications.
Alleged to Have Broken Pledge.
The Parkersburg postmastership was won
by Frank Smith, who had been county
chairman and otherwise actively identified
with the organization for years. He was
also one of the Dawson faction leaders.
Stewart was backed for the post office by
Judge Blizzard and other Teter faction
leaders, and he is said to have had def
mite pledge of support from woodward. The
story goes that at a conference held in
Washington to discuss and fix the matter
Stewart either produced this document or
asserted Its existence, and that Senator
Scott thereupon commended that woodward
should make good his promise. Senator
Elkins also participated IN the confab, but
how much aid he lent Smith or how he
sided with the factional element that pre-
dominated is not disclosed.
At any rate there is determined effort
on the part of many In Wood county to
dethrone woodward, and it is significant
that the post office scrap has centered GER
tain interested parties under the Moss
standard. Morris is going his way alone
and woodward is beginning to get busy. If
the fight for the Wood county delegation is
left to the favorite sons and Moss wins it Is
assumed by Morris own admission that he
will not be candidate thereafter. Michael
Duty of Ritchie county is also enjoying
prominent mention, and James Strickling
of Tyler is another candidate in the gossip
stage. The presence of so many might
indicate a widespread sentiment against
woodward, and then again the develop
ment of SO many candidates may have
more or less connection with a plan to split
up the field and allow the young man from
Roane county to win again in walk.
As mixer Representative woodward
has few superors. He is likewise an
interchangeable worker in his own district
and has the reputation of working hard
for his constituents at Washington. He
does not aspire to lofty pinnacles Of
ginia voter is getting to realize that the
Henry Clays and Daniel Websters are
scarce, If not all dead.
In Mr.. Hughes District.
John A. Shepherd, the prosecuting at
torney Of Mingo county, and James
Strothers Of Mcdowell are included
among a bunch who are after Represen-
tative Hughes scalp. About year be-
fore every campaign opposition to Hughes
develops within his party. One time 1t
forced him to hold his congressional con-
vention shortly after the Christmas holi-
days, and he has been forced to heroic
treatment at other times, but the situa-
ton differs now. He now has formidable
opposition in the counties that were for
merly his strongholds, and If the Or
CARNATIONS Of Mingo and Mcdowell go
against him he can hardly expect to re-
tain his seat.
Some comment has been aroused by the
fact that Shepherd, like the majority of
the budding republican leaders In Mingo
was formerly enrolled with the democracy.
The same thing has been urged against
Mike Duty Of Richie, one of the sug-
gested opponents of Harry woodward.
Half of the democratic party In Mingo
went over to the republicans in a BODY
about two years ago, and the old line re-
publcans then scented future troubles,
inasmuch as the converts had been lead
ers in a democratic faction and were in
where they were enrolled.
influence Of the Converts.
The converts Of 1896 are now we'll es-
tablished In the republican party of West
Virginia. Some Of them have been hold
Ing office and more are likely to in an
other year. while not few of them who
were In the executive councils Of the I'M
terrified are now the most brilliant lights
In the republican sanhedrim. These
democratic OBJECTIONS. coupled with
the industrializng Of the counties from
which they hail. have made those par
ticular counties republican beyond the
faintest doubt unless a miracle should
occur. These two causes are steadily
changing the political complexion Of the
southern end of the state. while little
hope of success has been the factor in re-
ducing the democratic vote in the agri-
cultural counties.
Thus the West Virginia democratic host
Is passing steadily and surely from the
scene. Bewildered by the confusing ma
tional aspect of their party and without
encouragement in the state save for the
occasional hope of frretrievable factional-
ism in the republican party, the old-time
leaders are decreasing. The former demo-
Gratis now striving for honors in the re-
publican party are younger men.