Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-08
LEAVES EN- IN DOUBT
Ex-Governor of West Virginia
Puzzles People.
FINALLY DECLINES MISSION
Was Slated to Gather Statistics in
Chinese Empire.
POLITICIANS TAKING NOTICE
Commissioner Bowers Promising
Boom for the Governorship.
Stands Well With Boys.
TAKING NOTICE
Special Correspondence. Of The star.

Special Correspondence Of The star.
WHEELING w. Va. August I. 1909.
The interesting ripple of the week ir
West Virginia political circles was the
development that ex-Gov. Dawson had
decided finally not to accept q fedora
mission to China. Some time before he
left the governors Office job of looking
UP manufacturing statistics in the orient
was rendered him by President Roosevelt
and it has been a case of Finnigan ever
since one month Dawson going to accept
and the next, otherwise
When he stepped Immediately into an
advisory capacity in connection with
West Nirginia's defense in the Virginia
debt litigation il was explained that this
5000 berth was only temporary. and
that as soon as the ex-governor saw that
the coast was clear he would pack up his
buds and seek statistics and health be-
yond the Pacific Needless to explain to
West Virginians. different emotions were
caused by each announcement. For IN
stance, Dawson has been shadoW on
the United States senatorial arena for
years Naturally there were those who
felt they could breathe somewhat easier
with him at safe distance. for Dawson
for quarter of a century.
There Be Those Who Doubt.
Much of last summer he spent at Ashe-
WILLIE whittier ii was said he went at the
advice of doctors. because of the fear
that he was threatened with tuberculosis.
The fact that he started away before the
memorable Swisher-Schery ruction and
remained until the state ticket was
patched up with new candidate for gov
ernor has often been pondered upon by
those observing mortalS who noted the
governors physical condition on his re-
turn. Either there were great punches OF
ozone al Asheville or the governors con-
dition on leaving West Virginia was not
so bad as reported. They concluded. GER
tainly. the time was opportune for his alb
Sence.
Whether he figures that this is an OPP
perfume time to stay in West Virginia
and watch the senatorial proposition can
only be conjectured. for he keeps his own
counsel. Interest in the matter was
aroused by Representative Hubbards re-
tort 10 Representative Fitzgerald S remark
in the house this week. Fitzgerald init
mated that some politicians had the Chi
neSe Job lined up for Dawson 10 keep
him away from the senatorial counter.
Hubbard 's reply was not illuminating
al least not decisive--but he declared that
West Virginia republicans could attend to
from New York democrats.
Strictly speaking Gov. Dawson is not
strong man physically. Always slight of
build. he overworked himself as governor.
being inclined to attend to lot of petty
details tina; other men would have re
year of his administration he insisted on
writing all his own letters with a pen.
He had few confidants and has not in
creased the number.
t. H.
than is any ex-governor. since the pos
session of patronage is merely pOten-
tial binder and persuader while II lasts.
He may want to have say further in
state politics, and perhaps will retain
that desire as long as he lives. He may
hope to succeed Senator Scott should
there be such possibility. but he would
not directly attempt il, nor could he sue
coed. unless all signs fail. In short, he
may have personal reasons for declining
the Chinese mission. but his defamation
naturally suggests some senatorial con-
nection.
Boom for Bowers.
There is quite a boom developing for
George NJ. Bowers, United States fish
commissioner. for the republican nomina-
lion for governor. He has been talked
of quietly in two or three previous cam
paigns, but it looks like this is the time
ne Is gong 10 come. bowers has al
ways stood we'll with the boys who do
things. He is a successful banker. being
interested largely in his own town of
Martinsburg and also in Washington
where his job keeps him mos. of the
time He has good personal front for
governor. and there's no denying that the
front cuts figure. More attention is be-
ing given to his name at present than to
that of any other of the several mention
ables
~ +, sta he
session of the legislature next winter
those who are in position to speak au-
thoritatiyely declare that Gov. Glasscock
VIII not issue the call. For awhile he
was favorable 10 the proposition. prin-
cIpallS on account of threatened fiscal
deficiency. but the increa sed assessments
being returned by the newly created
county boards of equalization and review
prove clearly that the treasury will have
all the money IL requires to meet APP
preparations
Census Supervisors Named
A. this writing four of the census
supervisors have been agreed on. the only
one unsettled being for the first district
Harvey W. Harmer a stentorian-yoiced
son of Harrison county who ..bossed the
Job in 1900. is reported as being favored
by Representative. Hubbard. but there is
douht expressed as to whether Senators
'1So'' anu E-ihis prefer idrmer. 1t is
Understood Marshall county man. NAV
he finally selected. but there is none of
the eagerness 10 get the place which
was noted In the second and fifth dis
tricts. for instance In the latter district
ex-State Senator w. w Whyte of Nc
DoWell was picked over DR. S. S Sutphin
p Young DENTS. of Raleigh. This was
objected to by republicans who are on
posed TO Whyte's connection with the
state committee. and by those who raised
such Il roar that he withdrew from the
ilchet Tor the senate last year But
those behind the roar are moi able 10
control the situation