Evening star., 1912-11-17
ment.
Edwards Backed by Dawson.

Edwards is backed by ex-Gov. Dawson.
There is feeling among republicans who
are not kindly disposed toward Dawson
the senatorship himself II the situation
shapes up right for him. Gov. Glasscock
is an Edwards supporter, but this does
not necessarily imply state administra-
ton support, for Glasscock has never
tried to make q stiff machine out Of his
subordinates, and Furthermore his term
will soon expire. There is more need for
concern as to the attitude Of his Sue
cessor, DR.. Hatfield, who is in a. position
to offer patronage to hungry constituents.
There is a belief that Hatfield favors the
Mann candidacy.
DR.. Hatfield is i'll of pneumonia, due to
his strenuous and extended campaign for
the governorship. He defeated Thomp-
son. the democratic candidate, by ap-
proximately 1900 majority. He was cut
considerably and his candidacy was
weakened in popularity in the week pre-
cedtng the election.
The progressive republicans may unite
on either Hubbard or Edwards for the
senatorship after each has had his trial
in the legislative caucus, and the regular
organization fellows are likely to do the
same thing as between Elkins and Mann.
with the chances favoring the latter In
that test. Judge John W. Mason Of
Fairmont has been suggested as COM
"A. u.
other suggested compromise that might
appeal, because Scherr, although Roose-
welt supporter, has a strong personal fol-
lowing in the other camp.
Deadlock Not Unlikely.
There is the remote contingency Of a
fight between the Taft and Teddy re-
publicans that may result in deadlock
or a combination with the democratic
members. The senate branch OF the leg
islature will be politically tie. just as
two years ago. Then the democrats
agreed to elect DR.. Hatfield president of
the body in return for favored committee
appointments. But then they were anx-
iOus to organize SO they could elect two
United States senators. while now 1t will
be the republicans who will have that
anxiety.
According to custom or law, the senate
will be called to order by the oldest
member in point of service, and it Will
be again Senator Robert F. Kidd of Gill
mer who will do the honors. If there
is no election Kidd will rule the roost.
ators escaped to Ohio to avoid service
that would compel their attendance for
organization. The democrats say they
will not run away, but will stick on the
job until the organization Of the tied
body is made to suit them.
The democrats are determined to pro-
tect their position SO as to prevent a
redistricting of the state to their disad-
vantage, which they fear would come to
pass with the republicans In control of
than for blocking the election of a
United States senator, they are likely to
keep Kidd in the chair as temporary
presiding officer until they can be as
elected president or sufficient assurance
that there will be no partisan redistrict-
ing of the legislative.
Aspire to Wilson's Favor.
Woodrow Wilson. election has stimu-
lated many democratic candidates. for
the federal plums to be distributed. ].
Hop Wood chairman of the second dis
trict congressional committee, and Joseph
O'Brien of Wheeling are already active
candidates for the federal attorneyship
of the northern district. Each will have
the Endorsement, respectively, OF Repre-
sentatiyes Brown and Davis, but there Is
no telling which finds favor with. National
Committeeman John T. McGraw. who Is
dents ear by reason of his early and
persistent advocacy Of the Wilson candi-
dacy. There will be applications by the
mile for the various presidential post
masterships, about the only plums out
side of the civil service except the fed
eral court positions
The term of Collector OF Internal Reve-
nue. George Il. Work expires in a month
or SO, and If Taft makes the appoint
ment before he goes out he will defer
many democratic hopes until four years
hence, when President Wilson will have
chance to do some West Virgtnian a
like favor just before his term ends
Fuller returns show that West Virginia
voted dry by about $1,000 majority. The
size of the antis surprised the drys and
has staggered the vets The effect is
expected to be good sentimentally on the
officers who will have to enforce the dry
regulations.