Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-17
MAY HAVE OPPOSITION
OF RUMoR REGARDING
SENATOR SCOTS FUTURE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
WHEELING, w. Va, February 16.-The
feeling that Senator Scott will have bat
tie on to succeed himself was in degree
manifested by the announcement OF Albert
NJ Schenk of Wheeling, this week, that he
will inaugurate a contest for the senatorial
honor at the proper time. Mr.. Schenk lives
in Wheeling, and is therefore one Of Sen
ator SCOTS neighbors. He is identified with
large local business interests, and SO far
as the sinews of battle are concerned he
is amply supplied.
Mr. John Steele, Senator SCOTS private
secretary, was in West Virginia this week
and part of last week looking over the
ground. He did not seem to be alarmed al
the situation. Other supporters of the
Scott banner also see nothing in the horizon
to threaten serious results, although they
admit the possibilities. With others. they
are inclined to think Senator Scott's oppo-
sftion will come from the southern END
Of the state. The senator ts strong with
his party there, but the Leaders IN tnat
part of West Virginia have been clamoring
for years for recognition either with SEN
atorship or the governorship.
There Ia a latent sentiment for Repre-
sentative Joseph H. Gaines as SCOTS sue
cessor Gaines was spoken OF prominently
several months ago, when the opposltion
to Senator Elkins was scouting around 1or
q man to center on, but either Gaines was
not willing or the prospects were not SUI
ficiently alIuring When James l.. Cald-
well of Huntington was induced TO Win
draw from the contest against Scott the
last time 1t was common gossip tnat there
was an understanding whereby CaldWelIs
section of the state was to be recognized
at the expiration Of SCOTS term, ana thls
gossip is now being revived
Hubbard Available.
Around Wheeling w. P. Hubbard who Is
to succeed Representative B. B. Dovener
after the 4th Of next March, Is considered
senatorial timber, and there will be no sur
prise II he SHES his castor in the ring AS
the senatorial issue Is not to be decided
for virtually four years, Hubbard Will nave
the best part of two terms In the lower
house to measure up TO the expeclatlolis
of his friends and to gain prestige and
+ a machine through the post office patron
age to become formidable factor.
The play behind the Hubbard boom is
said to call for the elevation Of State Sen
ator Robert Hazlett Of the Wheeling dis
trict to succeed Hubbard In the House OF
Representatives. Hazlett, VINO Will nave
served out his term at Charleston by that
time has been successful in an his po!ltl-
cal ambitions so far A Hubbard Hazlett
combination would embrace many elements
of strength should the issue be drawn as
between Hubbard and Scott in the hight 10
gain the legislature in the counties of the
first congressional district, and wheeling
would be the battle-ground and the radiat-
ing point for contiguous skirmtshes
Dawson is Reticent.
The most intimate friends of Gov Daw-
son agree in saying they have never
heard him utter word about trying for
the Senate when his term expires two
years hence The feeling Is growing that
he will not attempt to achieve an ambi-
ton credited to him persistently because
1t Is thought he will not care to undergo
the necessary physical strain. Inc gov
ernor has not really been a we'll man
since his election in 1904. Always frail
physically, he was forced to suffer long
| and strenuous experience IN mat cam
paign, as we'll as for months preceding
and succeeding 1t. No republican was
ever more cordially opposed by the DEM
ocrats and none so high In his party's
leadership ever had such strenuous oppo-
sition among an influential element Of
his party.
Inasmuch as the so-called insurgent
| opposition to Gov. Dawson Is TOO deep
seated to be removed he would start with
a big handicap In trying to break into
| the Senate as against Scott. However,
there are observers who figure that the
governor wanted the passage of the pri-
mary law, pending before the legislature,
| in order that he might present his sena.
| torial claims to the people lnSteau OF
resting his case exclusively with legls-
| lature of more or less lukewarmness
| toward him.
This primary bill, which was an adj
ministration measure, embodied proVis-
| ion calling for the nomination of cand1-
| dates for the United States senate by the
people. It's opposition came largely from
| the so-called black-belt counties, al
| though the opposition sentiment more
generally came from the southern end of
| the state. and Delegate Evans Of Mingo
tried to amend 1t by making the law IN
| operative below the Great Kanawha river
| Favored by the Senator.
Senator Scott early went on record In
favor Of the primary law. He has stated
that he Is satisfied to let his party indi-
vidually pass judgment on his aspifa-
| TONS but many of the opponents Of the
bill who are SCOTS stoutest supporters
/ declare their inability to comprehend
why he wants to install the primary idea.
| Doubtless the senator considers that he
has grown stronger in the esteem OF his
party men, which is an undeniable fact,
and perhaps he wanted to be at the fore.
| front in approval Of measure which
has large popularity. At any rate the
anti-primary bill people in the legisla-
| ture who represent biack-belt counties
assert that such . law would enable the