Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-07-18
Interesting Political News.


contains enough truth to make it H.
teresting reading to those who wish to
keep up with current political news
Developments of the week show that
there is to be vigorous battle FOL
supremacy in the Republican party Of
West Virginia between Senator Steph-
en- B. Elkins and Governor William
NJ. o. Dawson. The one is now SUI
| preme in national affairs in West Vir.
! einia, the other at the head of the
State organz ,tion. Hitherto they
worked hand IN hand.
The Governors first defance-of the
Senator occurred Wednesday night at
Kingwood, when Governor Dawson
formally announced his independence
by bringing out, as his candidate for
Governor his predecessor, Alb. White,
in opposition to Mr.. Elkins' fayorite,
the present Secretary Of State, Q. W:
Swisher. The latter, although nom
mated on the same ticket with Gov
ernor Dawson, secured the nomination
through the supporter those opposed
to him. Slice the ambition of Mr..
Swisher to be Governor became known
Governor Dawson had been counted
among his supporters. But his def
ance of Senator Elkins has shown that
if Swisner secures the nomination 1t
will be after bitter fight with the
Governor and the State machine, which
he controls.
Immediately after the delivery Of
his speech on West Virginia Day at
the Jamestown Exposition Governor
Dawson disappeared from the public
view, and it was given out at his Of
fee that he had gone to the seashore,
saying that no communication was to
be sent to him. No one questioned the
statement until it was found that he
had been to his old home In King
wood, Preston county. Then word
came that ex, Governor White was
with him and that. it had been ar
ranged to bring White out as candi-
date for Governor in 1908. Governor
Dawson had been away a week Eher
"spontaneous" outpouring of the
Republican leaders OF Preston county
assembled in the courthouse at King
wood and demanded that Mr.. White
should again make the race for Gov.
ernor- Those at the meeting resolved
that Preston county would pledge him
its vote in convention and started a
movement to work for White through
out the State. Governor Dawson ad.
dressed the gathering and left no doubt
as to his preference. Since this def
Of Governor Dawson Senator Elkins
has not been heard from.
The fight of the Federal patronage
against the State patronage will be
pretty evenly matched, and each side
will have for leader politician with
years OF practical experience and
smooth as can be found.
We think no one need be unduly
anxious about Governor Dawson and
Senator Elkins falling out over the
next candidate for Governor. The
Senator has never yet, according tc
tradition in this State, lost any SLEEP
over the political fate Of any of hi
friends. He is for everybody all the
time, except when his own interests
are involved, and if aspiring candi'
dates cannot make good by their OWL
efforts and his unreserved, smiling
good wishes, why, then, de~u they
go. They mu0t2'.s expect him tt
prep them up if they cannot stand by
themselves.
We doubt if Governor White will
be candidate. 1t would be matter
of poetic justice to put him in the
executive mansion again and give
him opportunity to perfect the splen'
did system of taxation that was be-
| gun during his former administration
and which is largely due to his heroic
efforts. 1t is owing principally to hi
zeal and ability and unAinohlng cour
age that we have such improved tax
laws, and we should like to see hin
come in now and finish the goot
| work.
There is one significant point to b.
noted: The corporations are busy
Tney>will do their best to nominate
State officers and members OF tn,
Legislature who will do their bidding
Their agents are even now at work
and the honest people of both politi'
cal parties must be alert. 1t is sai(
/ that Swisher is the candidate OF tn,
railroads and the coal operators, and
there is little doubt that if he i
elected they will be greatly pleased
Senator Elkins is doubtless for hin
Oh the quiet, and it may be that astut'
Governor Dawson is trying to max
the Senator show his hand.
| Motor Cars for Railroad Traffic.