Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-07
WEST VIRGINIA POLITICS
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR
COMING OUT IN THE OPEN.
Democrats Have Three Men Of the
Name of Davis to Select
From.


WHEELING, w. Va, October I, 1907.
Charles w. Swisher, candidate for gov
ernor, announces that he will give out in
advance the platform on which he will ap-
peal for support. Aside from the COM
parative prematureness of it this an
nouncement will be singular, because it
will be platform with reference to the
state nominating convention. The plat
form feature Is developed because of a
somewhat more or less general inquiry
as to where the candidates stand with re-
spect to policies Of state-past, present
and prospective.
Auditor Scherr may follow with another,
likewise Mr.. Hearne, both of whom aspire
to the governorshp, but both indicated
generally their positions in their an
nouncements and they were somewhat
identical. They simply enunciated square
deal treatment for all individuals and in
terests, high and low, rich and poor.
Although much longer in the field than
these two rivals, the young secretary of
state has never defined himself, but it is
given out that he will soon do so in a
formal candidacy announcement, which, it
is expected, will deal deliberately with the
policies which the Dawson administration
has been identified with. Tax reform, as
designed and as it has worked out, will
naturally call for extended treatment
The Swisher platform will serve the pur-
pose of making the issue clear and will
also serve to put Scherr and Hearne on
the defensive or cause them to take an
other hitch to their galluses in the sprint
for delegates. The Swisher literary effort
also should develop the extent to which
the former supporters of Gov. Dawson
and ex-Gov. White will be found in his
camp.
Hearne on Tour.
Hearne goes to Huntington in a few
days to start his campaign of acquaint-
ance-making in the sections where he is
not known personally. He will follow it
up with run to Charleston. and make
a stop at Parkersburg and one or two
other points on his return to Wheeling.
from the tourist standpoint the other
candidates have nad the advantage of
Hearne, but he expects to make up for
lost ground in busy autumn and winter.
Hearne has not been losing any time in
the panhandle since his announcement
month ago, and has reasons for looking
confidently to cordial support from Han
cock, Brooke, Ohio and Marshall coun-
ties. He has employed his automobile in
radiating jaunts from Wheeling, and fig
ures on employing this vehicle extensive
ly until cod weather sets In. He will
use the choo in his first long fight
to the Huntington territory, but soon
after his return to Wheeling will head
for Preston and Monongalia counties in
Ills BdSOllHe wagon, ana Will De dccOn-
panied by Homer Gray. one Of the as
sistant clerks in the senate.
superintendency of Schools.
Morris P. Shawkey of Kanawha county
has come out formally for the state SUI
perintendency of schools, which means
certain amount of trouble for Mont Top
ping of the same county, who wants the
delegation for himself for secretary of
state. There is some color to the theory
that the Dawson men will be behind
Topping is training too close to the Scherr
stables.
That the Dawson swisher element looks
pected Scherr affiliation and because his
candidacy may complicate Swishers
chances for getting the big kanawha
delegation Is supported by the fact that
they are booming Stuart F. Reed of Har-
rison for state secretary. Reed, however,
insists on running for state treasurer, as
against Newton Ogdin, the incumbent.
and John Liniger, but the application Of
more pressure may induce him to change
around although at the present he Is
full-f1edged treasurership seeker, with
promises Of support in central West Vir-
ginia.
John r. Harris Of Parkersburg, who
wants to succeed Swisher as secretary of
state. Is not conducting an active cam
paign Harris can afford to take an
optimistic view Of his political future,
since he stands good to remain chief clerk
Of the senate as long as he wants the
plum. The democratic members have