Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-02-23
SCOTT FEARS He
WILL LOSE OUT
Reported to Have Said He
Believes w. Va. Nav
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ic Column

the surface Senator Scott appears TO
not only hopeful but almost positive
OF his own success in the pending
campaign for the senatorship. he Is
said by close friend. to be at heart
pes imisic Upon the authority OF
one who is very close TO Senator
Scott and TO whom Senator Scott is
said to have unburdened himself a
few days ago, IL may be said that the
junior senator from West Virginia
not only feels that he has slight
chance OF reelection, but that he
fears Democratic majority in the
next house OF representatives.
OF course, West Virginia is nor
mally Republican by SO large a ma
iority. that 1t would require an un-
precedented change in public senti-
ment TO swing the state back into
the Democratic column But. with
the hard light which is TO mark the
Scott and Hubbard campaign for the
senatorship, much bitterness is GER
tain TO result In counties where
the sentiments divided. contests for
the nomination OF members Of the leg
islature are likely to become so siren
uous and such bitterness is liable TO
result that the faction defeated for
the nomination may become vindlca
tive or Indifferent, and either work
against the nominees or stay at home
and let the Democrats defeat them
In either event. there seems a pros
pect that the Democrats, because
OF the bitterness of the contest for
the senatorship may obtain control
OF the legislature and, in that event
the fears OF Senator Scott would be
borne out. Not only would he be
defeated. but the Legislature wuld
elect a Democrat to succeed him.
So uncertain Is the prospect of a
Democratic legislature that little
thought seems TO have been given
here to the question OF who might
succeed Senator Scott in the event
OF a Democratic majority on Joint
ballot in the next legislature. But
there IS no lack Of material, as was
pointed out today by one who was dis
cuseing the situation w r. Chill
ton, John T. McGraw, Henry G.. Da
Wis. John w. Davis, Clarence Watson.
John II. Holt. John J. Cornwell and
many others, have been mentioned
as possibilities in the event OF Demo
cratic success But the impression
among Democrats at the capital-and
they are scarce enough at present
is that the personality OF the can
dfdate should not come up Til after
the majority has been obtained in
the legislature Get the majority.
and then pick the candidate. is the
advice given today by one who was
discussing the matter
With Senator Scott a candidate for
reelection. and long time student
Of West Virginia politics, his opinion
on the state should have much weight
As a member Of the Republican ma
( tionai committee for twenty two
years, his fears as to the fate Of the
Republican party I'm the next cleo
tion are not unworthy OF careful con
alteration. in fact, his fear as to the
next house becoming Democratic are
shared by a large number OF the
Republican leaders In congress and
the administration President Taft
. himself Is said 10 be greatly alarmed,
and 10 has been known here for some
time that in the opinion Of many Re
publican leaders, the fate OF the Re
publican party at the congressional
elections Of this year. depends large
ly upon the course Former President
Roosevelt viii pursue upon his re-
turn from Africa. early In the coming
summer.
Apparently Senator Scott does not
share the belief Of many that Mr..
Roosevelt can CONS back from 1Irio
gather up the rcius where he laid
them down and regain control Of the
charge which are dashlng away at
q mad gallon. drawing the RepubIi-
can party behind them and threaten
ing to turn 90 over a precipIce. to be
dashed 20 pieces
Interesting as senator Scotrs oplu-
ion as 10 the uoxt congress may
be 81 ig NOT OF aa --uob trtcr..t o.,