West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-10-03
OUR washington LETTER
Election In Oklahoma May Change
National Result.
PRESIDENT OFF ON TOUR OF SOUTH
Frauds and Grating Amorg Public
Officials Again Coming
to Light
From Oar Regular Correspondent.

From Oar Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. L.
The result of the Oklahoma election
and the glorious Democratic victory
is Of immense importance to the De-
mocracy OF the United States. In.
deed 1t may change the result of the
next national election. No wonder
the Republican politicians are urg-
ing President Roosevelt to refuse to
issue his proclamation admitting thu
state on the technical ground that
the constitution as adopted does not
provide republican form OF gov.
eminent. But machine politicians
are selfish anu often shortsighted |,
and if the President should refuse to
allow Oklahoma to be admitted he
would raise an issue that would
overshadow perhaps all other issues,
namely, the right of the people TO
govern themselves without interfer-
ence from the federal government
or the partisan scheming of inter
ested politicians. To oppose the
admittance of Oklahoma, because
the Democrats have carried the cleo
ton, would be viewed as partisan
effort, and enough voters in the
close and doubtful states would
show their -displeasure to overwhelm
the party that attempts it.
The question of executive inter
ference IN home affairs has also
been injected into the campaign in
Cleveland by the letter OF President
Roosevelt to Mr.. Burton advising
him to run against Tom Johnson for
mayor of that city on partisan
grounds, but the Republicans APP
pear to be already sick of that issue,
ami the 8 cent fare on street rail-
roads will predomnate.
President Roosevelt, after over
three months vacation, has left on
his speech making tour and a trip
down the Mississippi river. This is
to be followed by bear hunt of
seventeen days in the swamps of
Mississippi, which to safe and sane
man would be more feared at this
time of the year than all other dan
gers, for the cane-brakes are free
breeders of fever and ague, flom
which, let us hope, the proverbial
luck of the President will allow him
10 escape.
The Hague fasco is the last we
shall hear of International peace
and arbitration for long time, and
the Roosevelt delegates Will come
home with no laurels, and the sub
ject is sore one IN administration
circles.
There is recrudescence of frauds
and grating, for besides the Oregon
and Idaho scandal, for when United
Stares Senator Borah is now on
trial, other land frauds are reported
IN New Mexico, in which the late
Republican governor is said 10 be
implicated and are reported to cover
vast acreage of the public land.
A serious scandal is also reported in
the war department involving high
officials in connection with appli-
ances for launching life boats on
army transports. Maj. Rathbone,
who attained notoriety in connec-
zion with the Cuban postoffice
frauds, appears to be mixed up IN
the matter, and il is stated by Capt.
Irwin that every effort TO induce
President Roosevelt to order an in
vestigation has faileu. What is this
strange and occult influence that
Maj. Raihbone appears to WELD
over his Republican associates VINO
hold official positions1 We will |
probably never know until there is a
Democratic congress TO unravel it,
The occurrences Of the week in
party politics are somewhat impor.
tant. The Chanler boom for the
Democratic nomination, which has
the support Of some New York
Democrats and is supposed to have
the silent endorsement Of Mr.. Hearst.
does not meet the APPRECIATION Of |
Editor Troup, who is the head Of
Mr. Bryan's literary bureau. Not !
content with an editorial in a late .
issue OF the New Haven Union init. |
mating that Col John Tacob Astor .
"would contribute million dollars |
TO his cousins campaign fund" in |
return for the promise Of the ap. /