Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-13
HAT IS IN THE RING
Edwards a Candidate for the
United States Senate. 4
MAKES PUBLIC ADMISSION
West Virginia Politics Described as
Somewhat Chaotic.
DIFFICULT TO MAKE FORECAST
Representative Davis Abandons
Campaign Because of Illness.
Appointment Makes Trouble. 4
MAKES PUBLIC ADMISSION
DIFFICULT TO MAKE FORECAST
pecial Correspondence OF The star.

Special Correspondence Of The star
WHEELING. W. Va. October Il. 1912
The prediction made by The Star cor
respondent that William Seymour Ed
wards, republican national committee
man, would soon announce his candidacy
for the United States Senate was verified
Wednesday evening OF this week at
Charleston. The occasion was a third
term party meeting, at which Francis j.
Heney OF San Francisco was the princi-
pal speaker. Ex-Gov. Dawson, the pro-
gressive state chairman. in calling the
meeting TO order announced that he had
selected for chairman a man who would
be a candidate for the Senate and whom
ne would support In taking the chair
Edwards confirmed this announcement.
The Edwards announcement was made
preiiminarily by Dawson largely TO set
at rest the reported Dawson candidacy
and also to strengthen the effort to elect
republican legislature. The republican
candidates. with one exception, have
been indorsed by the bull moose leaders.
SO that Edwards can appeal. logically
Tor illogicaliy) for support to a republi-
can legislature because he Is a republic
can member Of the national committee.
ana to the bull moosers because he is
supporting Roosevelt.
That there has been a deal entered into
between the Hatfield state machine and
the Edwards-Dawson leaders OF the bull
moose movement is no longer questioned.
| 1t has come to be the base OF attack by
the democratic state campaigners, who
are centering their fire on the rank and
file of the Roosevelt supporters. They
are asking these how they can reconcile
themselves to Roosevelt's statement in
other states that nobody could consistent
ly be for him and the republican state
tickets at the same time.
Makes Charge of Inconsistency.
Democratic Candidate Thompson is
quoting the utterance OF his republican
rival for the governorship that he is
supporting Taft because he considers
him the rightful nominee of the Chicago
convention. and citing Hatfieid's studied
avoidance OF the use of Roosevelt's name
although appealing for votes to the
Roosevelt republicans. The democratic
orators are generally challenging the
sincerity Of Roosevelt's support by Daw-
son, Edwards. Gov. Glasscock and other
luminaries. and repeatedly declaring the
whole affair Is merely an agreement OF
the bosses to catch votes for a -epubli-
can state ticket, coming and going. TO the
ultimate reward Of the bosses, now APP
parently political foes. In their appeals
the democrats are somewhat duplicating
Woodrow Wilson's plea I'm the west to
progressive republicans.
The threatened collapse OF the Roose-
Welt movement in this state il due 10
this deal for united support for repub-
lican legislature and the election or re-
publican state officers. Roosevelt and
johnson may come to West Virginia. but
their coming is more indefinite than 1t
has been I'm some weeks past. when dates
for their visits were announced.
Taft Republicans in Charge.
~. .h.;- co,trol ~ tho prasa and fhe
local organizations the Taft republicans
have charge Of the machinery and are
waging a straight republican fight. with
the deliberate purpose OF suppressing any
Roosevelt publicity. Against these tactics
the little Roosevelt fellows are helpless.
They may be heard at divers times
growing their resentment. 1t Is prob
ably true that many or them may carry
their resentment against the alleged be-
trayal of their cause into the republican
camp by voting the democratic ticket IN
reta iation The thing is surely getting
into a mess.
Woodrow Wilson's victory In West Vir-
ginia by 10000 votes is now claimed. A
| cold-blooded politician close to Senator
Watson says certain developments may
swell the margin to 10000 or 10000. He
claims also that the Hatfield boom will
| soon be punctured and the tide set in
surely for the democratic state tickle.
Another observer OF the QtfflOCi CT is-bti
who has completed a tour of seve'a
counties says there Is doubt as L. q
state Offices. but that Woodrow WI -
has a cinch; that there IL be demo
cratic legislature and that five of the SIX
representatives will be chosen b. the
democrats.
Col John T. McGraw, who is stumpins
the state has formally announced his
candidacy to succeed Watson at the DEM
ocratic primary election to be conducted
fae
the event of the election of a democratic
LEGISLATURE This post-election state pri-
mary makes both Watson and McGraw
assist i'm the election Of a democratic
legislature in apparent harmony, ana
is altogether a clever move from that
standpoint.
Davis Overtaken by Illness.
John W. Davis. stumping the first dis
trict for reelection, has been forced to
suspend on account of illness. and. while
his admirers are sure of his return TO
Congress over George A. Laughlin, his
republican opponent. he is not a victim or
overconfidence. Judge l.. n. Tavenner OF
Petersburg has been keeping his dates.
The Judge has been dwelling on the inn
pending shadow OF settlement OF the
Virginia debt claims and. incidentally.
criticising the handling of West Virginia $
interests by eX-Gov. Dawson, employed
as special counsel. and the state admin
istratfon generally, with some freehand
touches as to the use OF the elective
franchise by negro republicans.
The democrats are holding more meet
ings than are the republicans. but there
is comparatively little Of the marching
club feature. The tariff has SO far failed
to arouse the old-time interest, but it
has had the effect Of stiffening the re-
publican faith among the older members
of the party. The changes are being
rung on the 1888 panic. which is being
called "a Wilson panic" the reference
being intended for the late William l..
Wilson, a West Nirginian. who was
college man. as is the presidential NOM
inee of that name. The democrats reply
that the Wilson bill. passed i'm 1894, cam
not be held accountable for the panic
of the year previous.
Little Brooke county, just north OF
Wheeling, nearly always republican
stronghold, may now be said to be i'm the
debatable class, all because Of the post
ONCE appointment for wellsburg, the
county seat. Albert Snedeker has just