Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-03
BUILDING UP MACHINE
WEST VIRGINIA'S GOVERNOR
SAID TO BE AMBITIOUS.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star
WHEELING, w. Va, February g. 1907.
Instances without number have been cited
In the last two years to support the claims
of those who do not love Gov. Dawson
overmuch that he Is intent on building
up the most formidable and powerful po-
litical machine the state has ever seem
Principally the governors critics affect to
see in his penchant for commissions his
machine desires. But the latest and most
pronounced topic for dissention is his ap-
parent determination to go into the enc
my's country and set up his tent poles.
During his canvass for the nomination,
throughout the stormy convention that
named him and subsequently at every
turn the republican organization in Nc
Dowel county opposed Gov. Dawson. They
have opposed his legislative program in
conventions and during the legislative SEES
sions. They have fought his choices for
the organization of the legislature, and they
beat his appointment for circuit judge
ship, Harold A. Ritz. at the succeeding
election.
Gov. Dawson recently sent a bombshell
into the Mcdowell camp of insurgents by
honoring Edward OToole of that county
with a colonelcy on his official staff The
Is a democrat, come but two years from
Pennsylvania, and that he was honored
with view to winning over large vot-
ing element which OToole might be able
to influence. Col. O'Tooe is in charge of
the United States Coal Company's big oper-
atoms. and this company is a subsidiary
of the United States Steel Corporation.
Part of the Plan.
There has sprung up Of late also cor
dial relation between the governor and Ed
gar P. Rucker of Mcdowell, former attor-
ney general, which is construed as part
of plan to disrupt the organization, for
Rucker was one of the high lights of the
republican opposition. How many other
overtures have been made to wean away
strength and cripple the heretofore copper
riveted combine in Mcdowell is not known,
but it is significant that the leaders are
worried over the new situation.
The Mcdowell crowd is force to be
reckoned with in state politics. because it
dominates the politics of adjoining counties
and manifests loyalty to favorites that
abides to the last ditch. If it is true that
the governor is bent dissipa ting their
strength he will make a ten-strike that
will have wide effect and completely over
turn effective opposition to his plans and
policies.
Although not holding office, the most
powerful figure in Mcdowell county is Ed
ward Huston, a wealthy coal operator, and
his admirers in that section have begun
quiet boom for him for the United States
Senate to succeed Senator Scott. Hereto
fore they have been Scott adherents, and
their booming for Huston will be because
they love Huston more and not that they
love Scott less. There reasons for
believing, however, that if deemed neces-
sary to beat Gov. Dawson's candidate to
succeed himself next year they will press
Huston for governor.
Favors Scherr for Governor
For various reasons the Mcdowell con-
tingent will be inclined to support State
Auditor Scherr for governor against
Secretary of State Swisher, but Scherr SO
far refuses to make a positive announce
ment of his candidacy. At any rate the
insurgent element will back away from
Swisher, who, while without the Dawson
seal on his candidacy yet, is expected to get
1t in q showdown, just as Dawson helped
Swisher beat Marshall for the senate presi-
dency with McDermott when the governors
first choice could not finally get into the
running.
Senator w. W. Whyte, Prosecuting At
torney Robert r. Smith, Circuit Court Clerk
r. B. Payne and County Clerk Bernheim
compose the principal components Of the
acknowledged leader of the boys who do
things. The Mcdowell brethren are
credited with the ability to do things. Nc
Dowell county has an inconsequential demo-
cratic vote, SO small that frequently the
democrats waive the Formally of ticket.
Then again at least 80 per cent of the re-
publican vote comes from the large negro
populdlioH, WHICH gives Soou play LOT the
exercise of leadership among the whites.
The negroes are given the minor Offices of
constable and the like in return for turn
ing up republican majority which en-
titles Mcdowell to rank as the banner re-
publican county Of the state.
Unless 1t ia to eliminate opposition and
facilitate the carrying out of his policies
enemy's territory Is not evident His
critics assert that he wants only friendly
men on guard in all the offices, great and
small, SO that he will have an invincible
machine which will land him in the United
States Senate.
Unable to Bridge the Gap.
between the expiration of his term as gov
ernor and the converting of the legislature
which will choose Senator Scott's success
sor, and without the prestige Of Office Mr..
Dawson will be in poor shape to achieve
his alleged ambition. About the best and
only way to gain that goal would be
through the election Of governor and
state administration favorable to his can
boys pretend to see lines being cast now
for the future.
1t has to be admitted that Gov Dawson
has affairs well in hand just now. He has
dispensed his patronage in q way to count,
and he will have great gobs Of additional
patronage to ladle out II all the admin
istration measures are enacted at the pres
these call for the creation of various COM
missions. tax boards. and state police with
tentacles in every county. All the pro-
posed measures have plausible purposes,
but fear of a much stronger Dawson ma
chine arouses suspicion among those not OF