Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-20
FRIEND Of F|L|P|NOSISW|SRER QUITS RACE
TAFT Replies to Criticism on Opens Way for Peace in West
Railway Franchises Virginia.
DEFENDS OFFICIAL COURSEIIT'S SCHERR'S TURN NEXT
Declares Republican Policy Was Senator NonCommal as to
Best for the Islands. 70 Success
WISH OF THE INDEPENDENTS JUDGE ROBINSON PROBABLY
Says Their Leader Assured Him His Chairman
Election Was Preferred to Harmony
Opens Way for Peace in West
Virginia.
rs SCHERR'S TURN NEXT
Senator Elkins Non. Committal as to
to Success.
JUDGE ROBINSON, PROBABLY
Chairman Grant Says There Must
Be No Bossism if Harmony
Is to Come.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
WHEELING, ". Va. September l9-As
the outcome OF the sensational fight be-
tween Secretary of State Charles Wesley
Swisher and State Auditor Arnold c.
Scherr. as rival republican candidates for
governor of West Virginia, Swisher this
evening announced his withdrawal TO
be formally presented at meeting OF
the state committee at Clarksburg Mon
day night. Swisher also sent notice OF
the withdrawal to Chairman Hitchcock OF
the national committee. stating that he
would make a full explanation OF the step
later.
Swishers action did not come as a sur
prise, inasmuch as he had been turned
down by United States Senator Stephen
B. Elkins because of his Discrimination
to withdraw in favor of Senator y. B.
Scott. who would have been willing to
sacrifice two years in the upper house OF
Congress to preserve harmony in the re-
publican ranks in this state and save
the vote to Taft.
Swisher. too, was out Of campaign
funds, while the Scherr faction was con-
siderably strengthened. and despite the
recognition OF Swisher at the hands OF
the subcommittee In New York as the
great Roadway with his campaign. Scherr
recently received much encouragement
from all parts OF the state, and had
placed petitions in the hands of the voters
containing the names of the electors
which the Swisher faction sought to have
only on the one ticket.
Realizing that 1t would be impossible
for either Scherr or SwiSher to defeat
Louis Bennett the democratic candidate.
Swisher decided TO withdraw. The COM
mittee of the Swisher faction at its meet
ing Monday night at Clarksburg VIII &C
cept the withdrawal of Swisher and will
call a meeting OF the rival committee, at
which a new committee viii be selected.
eliminating the federal offlceholders OF
the Swisher committee. Further. Swishef
declines to discuss his withdrawal, but as
Auditor scherr originally agreed to quit
the fight in favor Of Judge Con or some
receptive candidate, the Swisherites will
compel him to keep his word and quit
the race.
Judge Robinson Now.
This means that Judge Ira E. Robinson
of the state supreme bench and a candi-
date for reelection will be selected as
the compromise candidate, although lie
Scott talk has not entirely died out. Rob-
inson was for many years attorney in
this state for the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad and other corporations. He is a
strong man In party affairs, and Is one OF
the few who could conduct winning
campaign at this late stage.
Senator Elkins gave out the following
statement tonight:
''lt is true that Swisher has withdrawn
and Will express his intention in a formal
way to the committee Monday night.
Nothing has been done toward planning
for his successor the republican stand
ard bearer. That is a question which
will be considered by representative re-
publicans in conference, and no selection
should be made until all phases of the
case have been carefully gone over. What
we must do is TO determine upon q man
who can harmonic the party and lead il
to victory. | think the way is now clear
to an amicabie adjustment