The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-02-08

the question and now In many places
in the United States favorable COM
ment regarding Senator Elkins as u
candidate is as frequent as for other
men and the question Of his probable
to West Virginia. During President
Harrison's administration he served
with distinction as Secretary OF War
success lies entirely with the voters
and workers of West Virginia.
Secretary Taft has requested his
friends not to be active in those
states which have presidential candi-
dates OF their own, and with this feel
ing of fairness abroad in the land,
State pride ought to move the people
of West Virginia to enthusiasm in be-
| half of their candidate and the people
Of other States in behalf of their can
didate from their own commonwealth,
AMI with the spirit abroad in the land
rs Il should be for the best interests
Of the nation, there can be no reason
why the chances OF the brilliant, illus
t.ious Senator of West Virginia are
not the equal of any other prospective
nominee-ror that is all any OF the
candidates are.
President Roosevelt, no doubt, is
anxious to have some one succeed him
whom he thinks will carry out the pol
icies he has already inaugurated. Pres
ilent Mckinley probably wished to
have some one succeed him who would
continue his policies. President Cleve-
land no doubt wished some one to sue
coed him who would have continued
his policies, and II his wishes had been
complied with this country would
probably still be in a state of bank
Iruptcy. President John Adams proba-
BIZ was anxious to have his admins
1 tration succeeded by a person in full
harmony with his views; but suppose
he had been followed by a president
Just as anxious to put and keep in
force alien and sedition laws. as was
John Adams-what would have been
tine result? Again, do you really be-
lieye that the President knows at tie
present time of any one individual
above another who Is better adapted
ana better qualified than any other
person who would actually carry on ar
administration just as he has done?
am a great admirer OF President Roose.
welt. He is honest, Strenuous and
fearless, but as a President of the
United States-under our theory OF
government-he has no right to use
the great power and patronage at his
command to influence the Republican
voters in the selection Of candidate.
AS private individual he has the
same rights as you and and all other
Republican American citizens have in
tile selection OF a. Republican candi-
cate.
am not one of these men who be.
Iiave that our party is in the condition
ci the Democratic party to-wit: has
only one man competent, capable, able
and willing to make the race for Pres
iuent. The Democratic party is hog
tied with Organism, nut fortunately
the Republican party has an ample
supply OF splendid stnight-grained
! Presidential timber. The contest for
( the nomination at the present time
seems to be anybody's race.
! New York Will be at the convention
solid and vociferously shouting for
Gov. Hughes. Pennsylvania = the
Quaker State-will be on hand knock
Ing for Knox. Illinois will be on han,l
with numerous suckers shouting for
Uncle Joe Cannon. The delegates from
the swamps of Indiana viii be numer-
ously present in Chicago screaming
(, for Fairbanks. The Badgers from
Wisconsin will be vigorously barking
for LaFolette and with this condition
existing, and Senator F'oaker strain
ing every nerve possible to secure
portion OF the Ohio delegation. pray
tell me how anyone at thepresent time
can correctly forecast the Presidential
nomination.
think that Of all the persons so
fur suggested for the nomination that
Senator Steven b. Elkins of West vIr.
ginia. Is the most completely equipped.
He is a man of splendid balance. He
has strong convictions. lie is man
of very extended experience. He is a
graduate of the University OF the
State Of Missouri and b the early