The Washington times., 1908-10-28

CThe second of a series of doubtful
States election forecasts Dy the re-
nOWned fOFecaster, LunChroom Charlie
expert Government staustician per
suaded for a prtncely sum 10 make
Whirlwind tour for The Times. To-
mOrrow-Indiana)
PARKERSBURG, W. Va, Oct d
Political conditions in West Virginia
seem ideal. 1t is apparent that the
State will vote in a manner to reflect
credit upon herself. and why it should
have been called "doubtfur' her lead
ing citizens were unable TO explain to
me today.
/ made a personal poll. by souvenir
postal card and by messenger boy, OF
the towns OF Wheeling, Charleston.
Fairmont. Grafton, Huntington, Mar
tinsburg, and Parkersburg this morn
ing. a short stop was made at Mounds
vile, which 1 find is not regarded as
a pivotal point, because many Of its
most able-bodied residents seem tenn
porarily disfranchised. / talked with
one Of this class, and he told me If he
got out in time to vote for Bryan In
1912 he'd be satisfied.
He scoffed at West Virginia being
termed doubtful State, and seemed
surprised that ! should consume time
IN a tour, advising me to 20 instead
10 Pennsylvania, where no one ever
knew what would happen. He said he
could prove all this next Wednesday.
His confidence in the result impressed
me greatly.
The accidental splitting Of a bottle Of
matted milk. carried for nOuTishment.
into the dynamo of my aeTOplane caused
me 70 abandon my airship Just before
reaching Parkersburg. l came in the
rest Of the way with a farmer whom 1
interviewed on conditions generally.
Speeches Only Poster.
He said most OF the folks had their
minds made up and he saw no need OF
Fostering them with speeches.
] gathered from him that no one un-
der twenty-one years of age will be
permitted to vote Tuesday. This IS
bound to cut down the plurality, and
no one should attempt TO make a West
Virginia forecast without taking this
important fact into consideration.
A number OF fellows under this age
are working for vengeance by seeking
to disfranchise Uncle Henry Gassaway
Davis because he's as much above the
age limit as they are under IL. and be-
sides he's been defeated for the Vice
Presidency. A man is not supposed TO
survive all this Uncle GassaWay claims
some eighty-Odd years and about as
maHy millions. He could have his name
printed several times as an "Over 500
contributor"
Careful poll of twenty-six coal mines
indicates that there is something under
the surface about the labor vote. GOau-
ed BY William Jennings BTyan's stunt OF
speaking 10 the night workers at a. m,
Mr.. Taft is now considering speech
10 the coal miners three thousand feet
below the grass roots. a windlass was
being tested while I visited there today,
a mule being drawn up and down at
intervals 10 clearly prove the strength
of the rope. II is believed the candt-
date may make a safe descent An inn
mense lump Of coal, guaranteed TO stand
a pressure of 300 pounds to the cubic
inch, will be used as a platform.
Only Sidelights.
These are but campaign sidelights In
cluded in my forecast TO indicate the
strength OF the two candidates. Frank
II speaking. as regards the labor vote.
/ heard that plans were being perfected
by some scheming politician TO bring
the miners 10 the surface next Tuesday
rushing them to the booth before they
got accustomed 10 the sunlight In this
Way il is alleged they would blinkingly
vote the wrong ticket.
The church vote is going TO play
large part, where there are any