Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-24
BOOMING JIM STROTHER
WEST VIRGINIANS TALK OF HIM
FOR CONGRESS.
Special Correspondence of The Star.


WHEELING, W. Va, March q. 1907.
The feature of the week in West Virginia
politics is the congressional boom inau-
gurated for James A. Strother at banquet
given in his honor by number Of his
friends in Mcdowell county. The banquet
was given as an expression of rejoicing at
the acluittGl of Strother, who, with his
brother, recently set free on the I'M
written law plea for the killing Of their
sisters husband. W. F. Bywaters, at Gull
PEPPER, Va.
r. B. Bernheim, county clerk of Mellow
ell and largely the organization leader in
that overwhelming republican county, inau-
gurated the boom in pertinent remarks
which were iatteringly received. How far
the boom will progress remains for future
developments. It is not known that Jim
Strother, is he Is known Familiarity, has
any congressional ha-kerings. He Is at
present member of the house Of delegates
from Mcdowell county, and during the late
bates and other proceedings. Before the
session. ended, however, he had to go to
Virginia for nc trial.
The significant feature of strother's con-
gressional mention is that 1t emanated
from Bernheim. Even If 1t goes no further
1t indicates a desire for a change, and it
Is enough to make Representative James A.
Hughes, who has represented the district
tice. l. Mcdowell county Is inclined to op-
pose Hughes he will have hard time max
ing nections, for Mcdowell will have
the largest county delegation in the con-
vention, and Its organization has invariably
commanded a winning influence with ad-
joining counties.
Opposition Frequently Bobs Up.
There has been talk of opposition to
Hughes internationally for years without
tangible conclusion at the wind-up. Edgar
P. Rucker, former attorney general and
enc of the ambitious Mcdowell republicans,
was known to have the bee a few years ago,
but he is not considered now by the organ
tzation, as he ranks persona non grata
with the leaders for some reason. Repre-
sentative Hughes helped materially In still
ing the fires in Mcdowell three years ago
by efecting joint ARRANGEMENT with Rep
resentative Gaines whereby Zeb Herndon
of Mcdowell and Del Rummell of Kanawha
were made assistant district attorneys for
the federal southern district. BY t1.s ar
rangement the Office was divided be waen
them. The appointment of Herndo1 by
Hughes was a sop to Mcdowell.
Herndon was elected to a circuit court
judgeship last fall. and Delegate billiard
the joint arrangement fell by the wayside.
Perhaps Hughes may find some way of So
lidifying himself with the Mcdowell con-
tingent again. but 1t Is difficult to see
WHAT He CdH ueVtSc al tAO year ensuing Uc-
fore the convention. Indeed, 1t may not be
a year hence, for Hughes has the faculty
Of pulling of early conventions when he
shifts trouble. Once he made a record by
having his convention held in February of
the election year. This was merely a sam
pie of his resOurcefulness as politician.
Strother is a popular hero, and he could
certainly make it interesting for Hughes II
he determines to enter the field. The fifth
district embraces mountainous region
which is particularly rich in coal develop
ment, and 1t abounds with coal and railroad
interests which can sway things. Hereto
fore Hughes has been evidently satisfac-
tory, and there Is no specific grievance
know nagainst him other than clashng per-
sonal ambitions, which should change CON
ditions, but there is an apparent feeding
of Indifference to him which Is growing.
Not at the Aggressive Stage.
The old Teter following has not forgiven
Hughes for the part he played In the ham
ding Of the delegation from Cabell, his
own county. in the republican state con-
vention of 1904. Hughes is charged with
bad faith in that transaction. Something
of It was heard two years, ago. but it did
not assume an aggressive phase, probably
for the reason of the Herndon recommen.
datton. The man that has done the most
to dispsl oppcs. ton to Hughes is his BROTH
er-in-law, Taylor Vinson, who Is the occa-
sional recipient Of gubernatorial mention
Vinson. who Is conceded to be strong
man, u popular in his home section, and