Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-05
ONLY VOTES CAN TELL
Race for West Virginia Gov
ernorship Is Mighty Close.
SWISHER AND SCHERR
Claims of Candidates Conflicting and
Confusing.
PRIMARY LAW IN THE WAY
Contest for Secretaryship of State
Also Interesting-Fights for
the Other Places.
PRIMARY LAW IN THE WAY
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
WHEELING. w. Va, July 4.-Atter a
campaign lasting for fully ten months the
republican race for the Eubernatorial
nomination will close with the state con-
vention which opens at Charleston next
Wednesday. This race is confined TO Sec
rotary of State Charles w. Swtsher and
State Auditor y. c. Scherr. From the be-
ginning there has been persistent tai. of
a new man, because a large number OF
republicans do not warm up to either
Swisher or Scherr. and 1t is probable a
new man will be sprung in the closing
hour.
Interest is keen in the deliberations of
the state committee which begins its ses-
sions Monday evening. The nomination
for governor hinges on the outcome OF
contests from dozen counties. Para
mount interest is attached to the decision
in the Ohio county case because of espe-
cially interesting features. Although it is
not certain that Ohio countys vote will
be the balance of power it will be some
thing of a lever.
Hot in Ohio County.
The contest in Ohio county is between
the regular organization and W. ii.
Hearne. late candidate for the governor
ship. Hearne claims he still has the right
to name the countys fifty-two delegates,
to which he had title before he with
drew from the race. Ignoring his stand
on tbs question the county committee has
named a delegation. SwiSher cannot hope
for majority from either, but as he
would naturally get the larger humber OF
delegates from the Hearne delegation be-
cause of certain circumstances, there has
been common report that his friends,
who are said to constitute a majority of
the state committee, would vote to seat
the Hearne delegation.
Later developments tend to becloud tie
outcome. Powerful influences are report
ed TO have interviewed in behalf OF the
regular committee delegation. ana
Hearne's case iS/ weakened in popular es-
tlmdte both because of his erratic course
when candidate and particularly by his
recent announcement that he did not now
want the nomination, as it would embar-
fass his business interests. 1t looks LIKE
the vote Will be close in the committee.
Naturally the Scherr element hopes to see
the so-called regular delegation seated
since Scherr will get the large bulk OF the
regular delegatin between himself and
SWiSher. For the most part the ONO
county delegation will be for a likely
compromise candidate. 1t will not be a
uIlIb III any event.
Claims Are Conflicting.
Scherr appears to figure on Ohio county
TO be nominated. Whether or not Swisher
Is Diufhng. ne continues to say he can be
nominated without Ohio county The
claims of both candidates are SO confus-
ing and conflicting and the belief is SO
prevalent that there will be switchngs
PACK and forth at Charleston that a pre-
dictlon worth anything is not possible at
this time. 1t looks like nothing but the
off1cial roll call for it. Swisher has been
the favorite in the betting until recent
events bolstered up Scherr stock. All
agree that it Is really up TO the state com
mttee. The likelihood of decis.o us in
Swlshers behalf on the various contests
Is more than a reasonable conjecture.
Senator Scott will be in Maine during
the convention 1t is believed Senator
Elkins will be on the ground, and reports
from Asheville. n. c., indicating Gov.
Dawsons partial recovery seem to fore
shadow his presence there for business
The convention will number $50 delegates
and there will be over double that num-
Der of spectators. The old Dawson-Teter
lines have been virtually lost sight of in
the reorganlzatiOns attending the Swisher
and Scherr campaign. Geographically the
southern end of the state is the backbone
of the Swsher candidacy, and likewise
the northern counties are grouped mostly
behind Scherr
Gaines to Preside,
Representative Joseph II. Gaines will be
temporary chairman. as he is satisfac-
tory 10 both candidates for governor. Can
diGates for other places on the ticket have
to be satisfied with any and all features.
The selection of delegates has been left
almost entirely to the governorship cam
uioates. the battle in each county being
exclusively ON the head of the ticket and
TINS fact has served to enthuse the advo-
Gates OF uniform primary law whose.
success at the next session of the lesisla-
ture is practically certain.
FOR AUDITOR the candidates are James
X. Hall of Wheeling, who made a close
and expensive fight for the nomination
AGAINST Scherr eight years ago. and J.
s Darst of Jackson, at present assist
ant tax commissioner. Darst has captur-
ed the delegates wherever he and Hall
have contested; Hall has Ohio county al
his back and by the aid of combination
expects TO win out. but Darst has been
the more active and may said 20 be the
leader. He was defeated by Scherr for
TIE Job four years ago.
Some Other Scraps.
Next TO the governorship the most in
teresting race is for secretary Of state
The leading candidate is Mont Topping
OF Kanawha. clerk OF the house of dele
gates. who is opposed by John T. Harris
clerk Of the senate: Stuart Reed OF
Harrison and Joseph Gray of Writ
Topping has made ploddng campaign
for delegates. aided materially by a
pleasing personality and wide acquaint-
ance to begin with.
The attorney generalship contest is
limited TO w. 9. Conley of Preston who
was named by Gov. Dawson TO succeed
the late Attorney General Clark W. May
few months ago. and Col. Bob Stallings
Of Tucker county. Both reside in the
same congressional district and what
Conley has in the way of diligence Stall
lings makes up In mixing abilities. Both
are types of the younger element of re-
publicans. Conley's chances for winning
are considered much brighter than Stall
lnss'. Stallings will be in demand or
the stump in any event, as he is Il rous-
ing campaign talker.
For state treasurer there are the in
cumbent. Newton Ogdin, of Peasants
who wants and apparently merits a sec
ond term; C.. N Snodgrass of Braxton
and +. l.. Long. a popular young law
yer of Mcdowell county. Snodgrass Laws
stress on the fact that the central sec
ton of the state needs to be considered
Long points out that he is the only cantli-
date for the state ticket from the fifth
al %rio