New-York tribune., 1908-08-11
BACK AT HOT SPRINGS
TAFT AWAITS HITCHCOCK.
Viii Not Interfere in Vest Virginia
Hears of Hughess Strength.
fPy reIerraph 20 M Tribune.

Hot Springs, Va, Aug f0.-Winarn II. Taft
and his party returned here from White Sulphur
Springs to-day early morning train. in a
special car, which was obtained in the usual
way. by paying eighteen fares. although the
party did not reach this number. As SION "a
Mr. Taft reached the hotel he took up the mass
OF correspondence which had accumulated since
his departure for White SuIphur Springs. and
IN a comparatively short time disposed Of much
of it. In the afternoon he played eighteen holes
of golf with Senator Bourne and General Ed
wards. and later returned 70 his office. where he
again devoted himself TO his mail
Mr. Swisher. the regular Republican candidats
for Governor of West Virginia. came 20 Hot
Springs on the same train with Mr. Taft. but
did not meet the Presidential candidate to-day.
either the train or at the Springs Mr..
Svisher will remain here for the proposed con-
ference the West Virginia situation
Wednesday. which will also be attended b. the
Senators from that state and Representatives
of Mr. Scherr. Mfr Taft has indicated that ne
Will take no part in the meeting. he believes
the West Virginians should settle their own
state political difficulties
Senator EIkns. who is already here asserts
that there will be trouble about carrying his
state for Judge Taft by at least 81 900 majority.
and Mr.. Swisher declares that he can carry he
state by 25.OOO majority. When asked why
Mr. Elkins said they did not desire to do but
merely wished to confer with Chairman Hitch
cock
II Is said in certain quarters. however. that
they feel some anxiety regarding the success OF
the state ticket especially in view OF the posi-
bility that were the Democrats TO carry the state
this fall and control the Legislature the state
might be converted into a Democratic common
wealth. The Democrats are pledged to disfran-
chise the negroes and would undoubtedly do it
were they once TO obtain control II is entirely
probable. moreover. that they would gerrynlan-
der the state and thus get number OF Demo-
cratic members in Congress. These are some OF
the things which the West Virginia leaders will
submit to Mr.. Hitchcock when he arrives and
which render the situation somewhat serious
Mr.. Taft is looking forward to the arrival OF
Mr.. Hitchcock, who will be here on Wednesday.
Mr. Hitchcock by the various methods
tomary in campaign mana cement has been
sounding the political sentiment in various parts
Of the country, and the Presidential candidats
is anxious to learn the results.
When asked his opinion concerning the resig-
nation of Elmer Dover from the secretaryship
of the national committee Mr.. Taft expressed
no surprise but referred 20 it as rather a read
justment than a resignation" He said that the
advisory board OF the committee was an i'm
portant body. and that the party would there
enjoy the advantage OF Mr.. DOver's long expert
ence and good Judgment, while he understood
that Mr. Hitchcock had been especially i'm
pressed with the ability of Mr.. Hayward
handle affairs in the western part of the cour-
try, where the most active lighting Of the CAM
paign would unquestionably occur.
Reports which reaching Judge Taft from
New York State indicate a strong sentiment in
favor of the denomination of Governor Hughes
Mr.. Taft believes that the party should be free
in each state TO exercise its best Judgment n
the selection of its nominee for Governor, bur
he has a keen appreciation OF the ability and
nigh character of the Governor OF New YCrk-