Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-25
KNOT FOR HITCHCOCK
Up to G. 0. ?. to Force Settle
lnent of fractional Row in
West Virginia
COMMITTEE TO TAKE UP CASE
COMMITTEE TO TAKE UP CASE
Refusal of TAFT to Interfere in the
Matter Puts Question Up to National
Body-Democrats Are Harmonious
Seven Electoral Votes Are at Stake.

Washington, Aug. 25.-Nr. Taft, with
great wisdom, has positively declined
to have anything to do with the set
Element of the factional troubles in the
republican party in West Virginia. The
republican situation in that state is
about as bad as it could well be, and II
the Taft electors carry the state, a
good many Intelligent people will be
election day, some kind of an amicable
settlement can be reached, conclu-
sion not now believed to be possible.
Both factions claim to be for Taft,
but their discussions are SO great that
they have thus far declined to name
the same men as candidates for presi-
Dental electors. This is where the na7
tional committee finds itself interested.
1t is said that the committee is to take
the case up i'll a few weeks, unless
meanwhile some agreement can be
reached voluntarily, with a view to de-
Gliding which side is entitled to recogni-
ton Chairman Hitchcock doesn't
want to do this, for he knows that any
decision reached by the national COM
mittee will react against Taft, and yet
it is probable that he will be compelled
to act, unless peace can be brought
about thru other means.
The Cause Of the Split.
The West Virginia split has come
over the governorship nomination.
There are two tickets in the field. The
regular ticket is headed by c. W.
SWisher, who is a professional politi-
clan Of the well defined West Virginia
type The Lincoln" ticket is headed
by Arnold c. Scherr, who has been au-
ditor of the state. Both men have
strong support, but neither of them has
any considerable standing with the
thousands of voters, who are seeking,
somewhat blindly, for the moral regen-
GRAFTON of the state.
Swisher seems to have some claim
to be the regular candidate. Scherr,
the Independent candidate, was nomi-
mated by the delegates of two or three
counties refused admittance to the reg
ular convention, with such additional
various counties on the day the trump"
was held. Scherr stands
for the redemption of the party from
boss rule, and so far as that is con-
cerned, he has the sympathy of many,
but the fault is found with the way in
which he has gone about his work OF
compelling reform.
Frantic appeals have been made to
Mr.. Taft by both factions for approval,
bit they were turned down. Chairman
Hitchcock has gone over the situation,
and promises to take the case up with
the national committee in few weeks.
Democrats Are United.
Meanwhile, the democrats of the
state are united and have nominated a
clean and popular man for governor,
Lewis Bennett, member of an old
and respectable family, who has been
speaker of the legislature, and is veal
thy by inheritance. He has no faint OF
interest or service, which
is a strong recommendation in a state
such as West Virginia.
The democratic platform pledges the
party, if given the power. to the elm
ination of the negro vote of the state.
This dore, West Virginia will be hope
lessIy democratic, for it's republican
majorities of late years have been
made up of votes of colored men.
Both United States senators have
allied themselves with the Swisher
party, and have written letters de-
the Scherr faction and it's
candidate.
Seven Electoral Votes at Stake.
1t is Il pretty mixup, take it ali
AROUND, and is causing the republican
a good deal of worry. Seven
electoral votes are at stake. Mr.. Taft
is so much afraid, that he has refused
even. to meet the leaders of either fac
ton in conference.
The Swisher crowd went so far as
to Journey almost the entire distance
to Hot Springs before finding out that
Mr.. Taf. would not meet them. He has
with equal emphasis refused to confer
u.;tn he Scherr crowd. Both sides are
favoring his election, and of course. he
could not hold these conferences With
out becoming involved personally. Ali
that he wants to do is to have the same
candidate for presidential electors
placed on both tickets, provided the
feud cannot be settled.
The revolt of the West Virginia re-
publicans against ring rule is not to be
wondered at, altho it is unfortunate
that it should have come about in
presidential year. In his goings about
the country, it is a little singular that
Senator La Toilette should have over
looked West Virginia. There would be
a chance TO read the records of it's SEN
ators to delighted audiences, and in
various other ways to emphasize the
corporations ridden character OF the
state government, such as exists III
probably no other state which the Wis