Evening star., 1907-10-13
SCOTT WITHOUT OPPOSITION
WILL BE CONTINUED IN RE-
PUBLICAN COMMITTEE.
West Virginia Senator's Popularity
overcomes the Schemers-Politi-
cal Pot Boiling.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
WHEELING, ". Va, October IL. 1907
Several months ago. when the political
pot began to boil with everybody dane
ing frfskily about II there was strong
iine OF prospective opposition to Senator
Scott's succession to his place as the
West Virginia member of the repubIi-
can national committee. Opposition to
him seemed to have q lively and fairly
good-sfzed place in the Gov. Dawson
camp, but subsequent developments have
changed that feature 50 that the outlook
is that Scott will be given the honor again
without serious trouble.
For one reason the state administration
forces have enough on their hands with
the goyernorship proposition. and, besides
desiring governor after their pattern,
they want to elect also a board Of pub
lie works in sympathy with the policies
to which the present administration is
committed. They must get three OF the
five members to retain control, two in
addition to the governor. hence they are
forced to give some attention to the at
torney generalshfp. the state treasurer
ship. authorship and school superintend-
ency.
All of this program implies a somewhat
busy season of endeayor necessitating
COuStuSfAtlOu VI pTOpc{ kiuSUci 4Hu ooc
respect for geographical lines Advocacy
Of the cardinal tenets of the Dawson
White-Swisher wing will require addi-
tional time and energy. There Will there
fore. be no off-days for the dethrone-
ment OF Senator Scott, much as certain
ambitious state dignitaries would like to
give him q bump down the line for the
effect 1t would have in embarrassing his
subsequent senatorship claims and the
consequent boosting Of their own.
Scott's Popularity.
But above, below and beyond any
reasons why there will not be active op-
position to Scott for the committee place
from those who otherwise might be 50
inclined, Is the cold. hard fact that Sena-
tor Scott is far and away the most popu-
lar republican holding Office in West
Virginia today. His bluntness is pleasing
In contrast to the stiffness of others.
His delivery Of goods likewise appeals as
against delusive promises, while his stat
ure has increased surely and steadily by
reason OF his close and earnest application
TO his duties.
Amid all the scheming and the clashing
OF the contend.ng leaders he has gone
straight ahead. sometimes causing howl
here because he didn't kOwtOw every
time q Roosevelt obeisance was consid-
cred to be proper. and a howl there be-
cause he didn't drop his federal cares and
instruct the state solOnS in the way to
solve intricacies Of a new tax system.
Seemingly he preferred to go ahead in his
plain Quaker fashion, and time is testify
ing to his good Judgment.
The party idea Is, perhaps. after ALL the
predominant motive for the sentiment to
keep the senator on the national commit
tee. AS one of the old McKinley-Hanna
guard he first scored big hit, and recog-
milton of his ability paid by his colleagues
on the committee in successive campaigns
has impressed the rank and file in West
Virginia. They now look on him as ma
tional figure. worthy and well qualified
for the service. There is none other in
West Virginia suggesting suitable sue
cession. since Scott has had all the expert
ence.
Is Apparently Indifferent.
Senator Scott himself has been appar-
emily Indifferent to the subject. but it is
doubtless fact that he would like to re-
main on the committee, although he is
said to have expressed the opinion that
he wouldn't take 1t if a scramble were
necessary.
Last spring there was much talk that
ex-Gov. White would make try for the
commute. and, in a lesser degree Gov
Dawson and c. w. Dillon but evidently
no popular chord was reached, for this
talk has subsided completely, aided mate
rally by the fact that the ambitious ones
nave other fish to fry In state affairs
which prevents leisure for side issues.
Dillon wants to be chosen a delegate at
large to the national convention. and
doubtless will have good following from
the New River region. The former tax
commissioner is strong admirer o.
Roosevelt. but has no love for Taft be-
cause he considers that Taft showed in
gratitude to the Ohio organization that
made him when he delivered his ceIe-
Orat6d criticisms OP ha
gan1Zation on the eve of the last Ohio
election. Coming from a strong tariff
section 1t Is not unlikely that Dillon would
care for Taft's revision sentiments. AT
any rate Dillon will not be for Taft as
first choice.
Another Suggestion.
Edward Huston, the republican king
bee in Mcdowell, is also suggested as
another one of the four delegates-at-
large, and will take it If he is chosen.
Both Senators Elkns and Scott have said
that they do not want to be included In
the honors Scott saying that they should
be given to those who have never been
invested with the privilege of representing
their party organization, and incidentally
standing big hotel bills.
The only name heard SO far for one of
the district delegateships is Charles H.
Watkins. jr., the first senatorial districts
member Of the state committee and a
member of the Wheeling city council Mr..
Watkins stands we'll in his community
with his party. fellow townsman, Al
bert NJ Schenk has had the matter also
under consideration, but will not oppose
Watkins. AS Ohio county Is only one of
the counties in the first congressional dis
trtct 1T does not necessarily mean that
similar ambitions are not entertained In