Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-16
SCHEME TO DEFEAT.
Alleged Conspiracy Among
West Virginia Republicans.
SENATOR SCOTT AS TARGET
Purpose Stated to Be Election of In
surgent or Democrat.
FORMER GOVERNOR CRITICISED
Appeal to Roosevelt for Campaign
Speeches Observation-Disclosures
Are in Quandary.
SENATOR SCOTT AS TARGET
FORMER GOVERNOR CRITICISED
,ecial Correspondence of The Star.

The apparently quiet campaign in
West Virginia was enlivened this
week by charges in the recognized
state organ that there was con-
spiracy among the republicans TO de-
feat Senator Scott for reelection AT
any cost. 1t was declared that rival
tickets in Fayette. Mason, Marion and
one or two other counties were Endorsed
by eX-Gov. Dawson and that Dawson
ana some others conspicuous in the old
Lincoln party movement and classed as
insurgents this year are in opposition to
the Scott or regular organization.
The conspiracy charges go on TO say
that letters are being sent to republicans
i'm the counties named, and also Cabell.
Clay. Wetzel and Monroe, the tenor of
which is that there is no obligation to
support for the legislature candidates
who will support Senator Scott. In other
words. the effort is on foot to defeat the
will of the majority of the party as ex-
pressed in the senatorial primaries, and
this is the more notable and the more
condemned by the ''lOyalsts" because
the decision of the senatorial issue by
primary was asked for by the crowd now
anxious to overthrow things.
Question Direct
The Scott people are asking if those
who contested the primaries would not
have expected regularity from the Scott
supporters If Mr.. Hubbard, his opponent.
had been successful. incidentally Daw-
son is being scored for party treach-
cry" in consideration Of the favors he
has received from the party continuously
to the present from the day he became
old enough to vote. Particular stress is
laid on his 5000 job as associate attor-
ney in the pending Virginia debt litiga-
ton, an appointment by Gov. Glasscock
that has been repea teddy criticised on the
ground that Dawson was never a prac-
ticing attorney. and consequently is with
out the experience required for suit
involving many millions. 1t is declared
that the job was provided to give him
berth.
The Hubbard supporters, who are al
legged to be lukewarm toward the cleo
ton of a republican Legislature, or who
are openly hostile. endeavor to prove
that the senatorial primary was not OBJ
ligatOry because there was an undue
amount of money used. and they point to
Illinois as an example, where the popu-
lar vote was disregarded by the sue
ceeding legislature. There has been really
little open expression to indicate cutting
Of the ticket on their part. but their
conspicuous refusal or hesitancy to help
in the campaign and the circulation OF
significant letters have called forth the
charges of conspiracy from a regular
junta.
Sometimes Hopeful, Sometimes Not
Senator Scott is alternately hopeful
and discouraged over the outlook. Sena-
Tor Elkins continues to be i'll at his
home. Gov. Glasscock is anxious to be
active. but is handicapped by physical
weakness, and without a state campaign
on hand the state administration is not
active. Indeed. Republican State Chair
man S. V. Mathews Is accused of COM
pliance with orders from ex-Gov. Daw-
son, and sundry state officials are looked
on with similar suspicion.
At least two congressional candidates
and a host Of county candidates are con-
Quoting their campaigns. IL they may be
said to be really campaigning, On the
theory that it is up to Scott to carry
the state, and that they can be pulled
through as tails to his kite. The job
would be big enough for any one man
under ordinary conditions, but this year
it is hercuean task
II Is an open secret that il the Daw-
SON Hubbard combination can prevent
SCOTS election, even though democrat
be elected. they will go next after Elkins'
scalp This makes it two-year fight in
one this year. Neither Dawson nor Hub
bard expects to be a candidate before the
people again, but they are very DESTROYS
of capturing control Of the organization
with view to revenging themselves
first on Scott and next with debating the
tickets in 1912, especially with reference
to controlling the delegation from West
Virginia to the republican national con-
vention.
The Office holders otherwise and the ma
tority of the county leaders-in short, the |
old guard Of West Virginia-are not for
Roosevelt again. They are boosting Taft. |
They are not prepared to claim they can |
win with Taft again, nor are they en-
thusiastic for him at any stage, but there
Lit,
seems to suggest division as between Taft |
and Roosevelt. and the ms are for Taft
and the outs are shouting for Teddy.