The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1911-06-27
Washington News
Items Of Interest From Our Cor
respondent, George w.
Summers.

A Encouragement of the Re.
publican leadership in West Vir.
ginia is said to be imminent, so
far as the Federal end of it is
concerned, and former Senator
Scott and Elkins, who have been
in sole charge of the Federal pat
ronage, may find a rival in dis
trlbution of patronage. The
story com S from authoritative
sources that President Taft sent
last week for former State Sena-
tor Sam Montgomery, of Preston
county, who had some months
ago declared that he would be a
candidate for delegate to the
next Republican national conven-
ton as a supporter of Theodore
Roosevelt, and had several con-
ferences with him. At one of
these conferences, it is stated,
the proposition was made to Mr..
Montgomery that he assume
charge of the Taft campaign in
West Virginia and see to it that
a Taft delegation is sent to the
national convention.
1t is we'll known that neither
Senator Scott nor the late Sen
ator Elkins was originally for
Taft in the last campaign and in
spite of the Federal patronage
for the State having been turned
over to Senator Scott by Presi-
dent Taft it is surmised he does
not trust Scott to deliver the
State to him and therefore has
called upon Sam Montgomery to
see that the State is delivered.
The story goes that the Presi-
dent has declared in favor of the
election of Judge Nathan Golf for
the Senatorship from West Vir-
ginia. in the event the Republi-
cans have a majority in the legis-
lature and has thereby antagoni-
zed former Senator Scott and
ElSins, who have other plans.
and that he is therefore unwill-
ing to trust them to line up the
State. Sam Montgomery has
been an active party worker for
years and is not in full sympathy
with Scott and Elkins whom the
President is said to distrust polit-
ically, and therefore the selection
of Montgomery to line up the
State for Taft. In the meantime
the Scott and Elkins forces are
trying to induce Judge Golf to &C
cept nomination for the Cover
norship in order to head off any
Senatorial aspirations he might
have; and to assist in persuading
Judge Golf TO enter the race for
the Governorship his position on
the bench has been promised to
Judge Ira Robinson if he can per-
suade Judge Golf to yield to their
wishes. Whether Judge Robin
son will assist in their plans or
not remains to be seen; but one
thing is certain the Scott and
Elkins influence will be exerted
against tbs candidacy of Judge
Golf for the Senatorship and it is
highly improbable that they will
encourage his candidacy for the
Governorship unless it seems nee
essary to do so to keep him from
the Senatorship.
In the meantime, Senator Scoot
is continuing his policy of remov-
ing from Office all Hubbard sup
porters of the last campaign.
One after another the Hubbard
men who hold federal Office have
been marked for removal by the
present dispenser of patronage
fol Taft. Recently especial eff
forts to displace these men has
been made and it may be because
Senator Scott fears his authority
as dispenser Of patronage may
DE questioned soon By Sam Mont
gomery. In an event, ne has
gone after not only the postmas-
ters at Benwood, McMechen and
Elm Grove but he has also ex-
tended his operations to the
fourth class Offices. N. d. Mar
tin. postmaster at Rinehsrt, Har-
rison county, a supporter Of Hub
bard, has been removed from of
fee and Mr.. Starkey has been
appointed in his place. the latter