Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-13

cause Hodges worked like beaver to
have Topping landed secretary of state.
so as to leave him a clear field for the
house cierkship when the Legislature
should convene. There is certain Senti-
ment. however for Topping. because of
the conditions he could not control that
prevented his winning the state ticket
piratfon, and because he has always had
hard battle for recognition in his own
county. kanawha. because of the wires
and cross-wires incident to statehouse
location. He has also made an efficient
and popular clerk
All three possess the requisite abilities
and popularity. Henning was identified
prominently with the Swisher end of
the gubernatorial fight in his county in
the face of stubborn opposition in this
connection and his friends believe this
entities him to the support of Swisher's
personal pull among the members. Hen
ming will have the northern panhandle
delegates at his back and he may land the
persimmon If the caucus goes to several
ballots.
President Urges Haste.
Considerable interest was felt in the an
nouncement from Washington that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had let it be known that
he wanted the vacancy in the internal
revenue collectorship settled in the near
future. This is the Christmas gift desired
intensely by F. p. Grosscup of Charleston
and George Work of Sistersvile. 1t is
wanted also by Gov. Dawson as
present after the 18th of March when
he steps down from his present pedestal.
and the report that the President wanted
to hurry matters means nothing butt
disappointment for the governor. who
was hoping 10 have the appointment
held off until he should become eligible.
There Is Disgusting the fact that
wOI11 most
popular among the rank and file of the
party. 1t is said he may be made
United States marshal for the northern
district to succeed Maj. Charles d. Ell
lott of Parkersburg if he loses out on
collector. and that Virgil l.. Highland of
Clarksburg may be slipped in as the
on collector If the senator's
can't agree as to Work or Grosscup.
Rosy-cheeked young Sam Montgomery
of Preston county has caught on with
the Department of Commerce and Labor
at Washington a field agent in the
mining division. and the tale Is told of
his appointment that it came from the
President without the knowledge of Sena-
tors Scott and E.lkinS When a member
of the state senate Sam introduced a res
olution of eloquent praise for the Presi-
dents energies in bucklng the great
trusts and he introduced a campaign
publicity and Notwithstanding bill
that passed the legislature. 1t is related
that the Montgomery efforts in these
respects paved his way directly to the
ear and heart.
An Element of Doubt.
That explanation for Sans capture of
the federal berth is not swallowed whole
in West Virginia. Probably he succeeded
without senatorial aid or cognizance, but
it looks to the elect like Chairman Ma
thews. Messrs. Swisher, Denham and
Highland of the state organization helped
to turn the trick for Montgomery. When
the genial and aggressive PreStonian
jumped from the Scherr camp to the
Swisher lines last summer he popped up
soon after on the state pay roll as
field agent for the tax commissioner
office. but retired some weeks later, ow
ing to the howl that ensued 1t was up
to the big fellows to make good then some
way and evidently the federal gates could
be opened. In any event everybody is
glad Samuel has landed. He is the kind
of boy that can't be kept down. Even
his political enemies hope for his sue
cess i'll federal realms.