The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1910-10-27
AS the Political Campaign in
State of West Virginia
Progresses.
VICTORY is ASSURED
For the Republican Ticket for
Congress and Other
Offices.
LCharIes Brooks Smith.


ICharles Brooks Smith,
!. CHARLESTON, Oct. 23-rhis
week ending finds a very decided
increase in public interest in the
campaign between the two parties in
more nopetuI. Especially are the Re-
NOR hopeful Especially are the Re
publicans in a fuller enjoyment of
that pleasant emotion, since some
local fractional troubles have been
adjusted, and the party organiza-
ton has been strengthened in many
weak spots. In the way of organi-
zation 1t is but natural that the Re-
publican party, which has been ia
full control OF this state for the last
fourteen years, has a great adj
vantage over the Democrats. In
That long period Of being on the OUT
side looking in, the latter have suf-
fered succession of defeats that
finally broke up whatever semblanca
of organization they might have
had. 1t is, therefore, for them 10
get together the remnants from
their last route, cement and solidlfy
them, and get in first rate fighting
trim, This difficulty is heightened,
too, by the fact that what issues
their party may have in other states
those issues will not "go" in West
Virginia.
For example, it is the height of
folly to keep up an agitation against
a protective tariff-to illuminate
against the alleged iniquitles OF the
Payne bill. Democratic leaders have
given that a try and have very
promptly discarded it, for the very
patent reason that the people of
West Virginia are indutiably favor
able to protection, especially to the
protection of their own states
products, and the Payne law gives
it to them and they are accordingly
satisfied. Further opposition to the
so-called Dawson tax system was
given a trial at the outset of the
present struggle and it, too, was
found of no help, but rather of de-
cided harm. So they let go of oppo-
sitiou to the tax system without un-
necessarily delaying the operation.
In the charge of extravaganza in
state government they expected to
hold their winning card. But this
failed utterly, absurdly, not having
scihtilla of evidence to bolster it
up. 1t did serve, however, to recall
the extravagant waste of public
moneys, the lack of business methods
and the emhezzlements that charac-
,crized the last Democratic admin!s-
tration.
So, this week ends and new one
begins with the Democratic party OF
West Virginia without an issue to
rest their cause on. But that does
not mean they arc without hope.
No; y bit OF it. They are hopeful.
IT is because there have been good
many Republican fractional fights
which they believe and hope have
left scars that cannot be healed up
by election day. Their hope is fed.
too, by election returns in Maine,
Massachusetts and New York, and
they think that such a Republican
revolt viii occur in West Virginia.
They cant tell just why they think
that, nor point out conditions in this
state that parallel those that prevail
ed in the three states mentioned,
but they cherish the hope that such
conditions do exist. They are count
ing a great deal on Republican fac
ticnal troubles, but admit regretfully
that there is no Insurgency in West
Virginia based on dissatisfaction
with the tarifB nor is there any fault
finding among Republicans with
Governor Glasscock's administration.
The congressional contests this
year are sitter than they have been
for decade. The Democrats have
nominated stronger men than they
have put forward in all that time.
They constitute the best material
hat the minority party has to Offer
be voters notwithstanding, all In
dlcatons point to the probable cleo
ion OF all Ave Republican candl-
dates, though by reduced majori-
ties. II may be that one district will
Ne lost. The final days will settle
i in the Second district whether
Congressman sturgiss. the only Re-
publican candidate this year that
hog a lnttal. Of ~ llnI.srI1iI.fif sirnnd fv