The Washington herald., 1912-02-20
THEPOLITICAL PROCESSION
D. FRANcIs 3. GEssNER.

ny EhAACAS .. NaEcSN EN-
Senator owen, Of Oklahoma. has heed
ed the advice OF his friends and has
gone home to begin an active campaign
for another term in the Senate Evident
iy the activity OF Charles N. Haskell. late
governor and ever In a state Of political
agitation. has aroused Owen and com
PEELED him to take personal command.
While he expressed confidence in his
ability to cope with the Haskell resources
ana methods. there were signs that the
Senator is not viewing the situation with
uneoncern. During the four years Has
keli was in the goyerpor's office he built
up a machine, and his personal following
has ever been considerable since he hrst
hung out his sign as n lawyer and State
builder.
The career OF HaskelIsin Oklahoma has
been little less than marvel Thirteen
years ago he was voted for In an
Ohio convention as a candidate for gov
ernor. and made a remarkable showing
against great odds. He did not win the
nomination, but he did much TO keep
others away from Il and made himself
respected as an organizer fer the short
time that he remained citizen OF Ohio.
Nor was II so many years ago that
HASKELL was operating In the New York
financial district-not exactly on Wall
street but with people who had close
connection with the money end OF things.
He was q railroad builder then. and the
ultimate outcome was not exactly as he
wished or expected, but his setback was
a blessing in disguise. as II sent him
westward TO honors he could never have
Won IN nifhAr NaTrT Vnrr Or nhln
II he comes to the Senate. as he him
self predicts he will. there will be much
doing during his term and his name will
hgure In the newspaper headlines.
Mrs. Haskell Is fully as good a politi-
clan as her husband. and her activity has
had much to do with his advancement in
Both politics and business. Somehow
those who know Haskell and his family
are eager 70 see him Senator, II only for
the diversion his presence and methods
would give 20 the Washington atmos-
phere.
sharp FIEht In West Virginia.
Virgil Highland. OF CIarksburg. the
new Republican State chairman in West
Virginia, has taken hold OF things with
the grip OF a veteran. His first offcial
action was 20 call an early State con-
vention for the selection OF delegates TO
the Republican national convention. And
his wisdom was apparent when he To-
Gated the convention at Huntington, in
the southern section OF the State, a sec
ton, too, where President Taft's friends,
like Isaac T. Mann, W. F. HIte, and
Taylor Vinson. are powerful The date
Is May Is, a week earlier than the pri-
mary in Ohio. and It was evident a week
ago here in Washington that the Taft
people were anxious to have West ViT-
giniA do business early as an Offset TO
Gov. Glasscock's outburst for Roosevelt.
Almost every day OF last week West
Virginia leaders, including Chairman
Highland. Howard Fleming, and others
OF the old guard, were in conference at
the White House and with Manager Nc
Kinley.
The result Of the many meetings was
quick and energetic action for an early
convention and the placing of that con-
ventlon in the region where President
Taft Is strongest. Thanks TO a Con-
Eressman-at-large, to be chosen by West
Virginia this year, there will be six dele
gates-at-laTge instead OF the customary
big four.
The Roosevelt organization will seek
to name the six delegstes-st-large and
carry the fight into each district as well.
The first gun OF its campaign will be
a big popular demonstration at Parkers-
burg on February %. and william Sey-
mour Edwards, who was an original
Taft delegate to the last national con-
vention. Is very active in the preliminary
boosting for the Parkersburg meeting.
He claims that powerful Republicans
will be present from every county. and
an actual organization for Roosevelt is
promised.