Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-23
POLITICAL ROW STIRRED UP
FIGHT OVER THE HARRISBURG,
W. VA, POST OFFICE.
Senator Elkins Intervenes on Behalf
of Discharged Official, Who Had
Opposed Mr.. Hubbard.

The Intervention of Senator Elkins in
behalf of Sherman c. Denham. the post
master of Clarksburg. West Va. who was
recently removed by the President for
"pernicious political activity" is likely to
provoke a clash with Representative Will
liam p Hubbard. who represents the first
West Virginia congressional district. in
which Clarksburg is located.
Those familiar with the situation say
that under an agreement between the
senators and representatives. which has
long been observed. supervision over the
appointment and removal of postmasters
in the district is given to the representa-
tives in Congress. the senators declining
to interfere.
It developed early IN Mr.. Hubbard's
campaign for reelection that Mr.. Denham
had allied himself with movement to
displace Representative Hubbard and
elect a rival aspirant to Congress. in do
Ing which, 1t is claimed. he exceeded the
bounds Of official propriety.
Representative Hubbard was promptly
notified of the Denham attempt to dis
place him. He first defeated his rival
at the primaries and then brought to the
attention of the Postmaster General and
the President his charges against Mr..
Denham. claiming the latter had clearly
violated the Presidents express order.
if not the law, concerning the undue ac-
tivity Of government officials and en-
plOyes In political matters.
AS the result Of an investigation Of the
case the President directed Mr.. Denham's
removal
Efforts of Senator Elkins.
|. Senator Elkins. accompanied by Mr..
Denham. called at the Post Office De-
partment Saturday morning. after the
Postmaster General had departed with
the President for New York A confer
ence was held with Mr.. Granfleld. first
assistant postmaster general.
The department officials have since stat
ed that the object of Senator Elki-s visit
was to protest against M -,enham's re-
moval; that the protes. would subsequent
ly be submitted in writing. and that the
case woule then come up for review by
tho postmaster General and the Presi-
dent.
1t is claimed by those who know the
situation in the first congressional dis
trict Of West Virginia, that as a mat
ter of fact. there are no "Elkins factions
nor Hubbard factions" but that Senator
Elkins. in the exercise Of his prover5iai
good nature and loyalty to his friends. is
| simply exerting what influence he can in
behalf of his friend. Mr. Denham. whose
| removal for the cause alleged he evidently
believes to be unduly severe.
Denham's Friends Angry.
Private advices from Clarksburg say
that the friends of Denham are vowing
vengeance against Hubbard and predict
ing they will defeat him in the county
by from LOCO to 100 majority, and to
this end overtures have been made to
E. G. Smith. prominent member of the
local bar. a finished orator and a man
of fine attainments. to take up the race
| against Hubbard on the democratic ticket
Representative Hubbard's friends on the
other hand. say that game has been tried
before. with as little success as it is
likely to have this time. and they are
not at all afraid of the outcome