Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-07-21
Washington News.
From George w. Summers. ]


Washington, ID. g., July 1s.-The
grip of the old Republican State ma
chine is fastening more tightly upon
the throat of the Republican party in
West Virginia, and not only are form
er Senators Scott and Elkins. ard
Governor Glasscock, the close friend of
former Governor Dawson, to remain
in absolute control of Party affairs in
West Virginia, according to the lat
est authoritative reports here, but the
sanction and approval of the President
OF the United States is said to have
been given plan recently conoocted
here by which these men are to re-
main in full control of the policies Of
the party in the State.
During last week Governor Glass
cock, who is understood to have been
summoned by the President, was at
the White House and spent several
hours in private conversation with
President William H. Taft, discussing
West Virginia politics. AS result of
this meeting, Republican ticket for
1912 in West Virginia is said to have
been agreed upon by the party leaders
above mentioned and approved by tne
President. This ticket includes the
nomination of former Senator Scott as
the Republican candidate to succeed
Senator Watson, at the end of his
present term, aud of former Senator
Davis Elkins to succeed Senator Chill.
ton at the end of his full term in 1917.
By the terms of the agreement, Elliott
Northcott, of Huntington, now United
States Minister to Nicaragua, is to be
recalled to the United States and
given the Republican nomination
for Governor of West Virginia, while
Governor Glasscock, who was con-
suited by the President in regard 10
the deal, is to be taken care of with
Federal appointment, probably in
the diplomatic service, provided Taft
should be reelected.
Mr.. Northcott has been away from
West Virginia for number of wears
and consequently has not been allied
with any factions of the party. Upop
the refusal of Judge Golf to return to
political life, Mr.. Northcott was select
ed as the only available Republican
capable of filing the office and uni
Identified with any of the factions into
which the Republican party of w est
Virginia has been split. He will he
called upon to sacrifice his position
and to sacrifice the interests of the
, United States, because he was sent TO
Nicaragua on account of his peculii
fitness to handle present condit1ors il
that politically unsettled country. i,
order that he might, if possible. r..
unite the factions in West Vir.inia
snd help Scott, EIkins and G!.,s..,.,
to get back INTO Office, which the
feared they could not do without H.,
assistance.
Should Mr.. Northcott he elected
Governor, he would he under such oh.
legations to the men who had given
him the nomination that they would
undoubtedly be consulted by him in
the distribution of all State PATRONAGE
Thus former Senators Scott and Ell.
kins, backed by the President and the
new Governor, provided Taft and
Northcott should be elected, would he
IN absolute control Of the distribution
IN West Virginia of all political pat
ronage, both State and Federal This
would leave the same old State ma
chine in full control OF the Republican
party and its affairs, which has been
in control for SO many years. and