Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-08-08
Our Washington Letter.

ANY Hail VIII idiis W SOihS oe' oSe'o,
the action CT the fraudulent Republican
convention at Chicago has forfeited all
right to the support of the rank and file
of the Republican party and OF decent
citizens generally. In my judgment, no
honest man, whether Republican or Dem
ocrat, can support Mr.. Taft and claim
any right to the suffrage OF an honest
man."
These are the words OF Theodore
Roosevelt, and they indicate his attitude
toward DR.. Hatfield, Republican nominee
for Governor of West Virginia, a sup
porter of President Taft. For DIR. Hat
field within the last week has shown him.
self to be friend and supporter OF Pres
ident Taft. Not only has DR.. Hatfield
failed "to come out against the action OF
the fraudulent Republican convention at
Chicago" but he was present at the no
LITIGATION meeting at the White House a
few days ago and joined with others in
extending congratulations to President
Taft upon receiving denomination at
the hands of the Republican party.
DR.. Hatfield was accompanied by former
Senators N. B. Scott and Davis Elkins;
Congressman James A. Hughes former
State Chairman Virgil L. Highland, and
other anti-Roosevelt Republicans, on his
visit to the White House. His greeting
from President Taft was much more cor
dial than that of other visitors, and there
was every evidence that DR.. Hatfield was
recognized at the White House as one
of the Presidents warm friends.
Such conduct upon the part OF DR.. Hat
field. in view of the statements made by
Mr.. Roosevelt, would absolutely bar him
from receiving the Roosevelt support for
the governorship OF West Virginia. The
attitude of the Bull Moose party toward
the Republican State ticket has not yet
been defined, but as DR.. Hatfield is at the
head of the ticket, and as Mr.. Roosevelt
has declared his opposition to candidates
who do not support him for President, IT
would seem that the nomination OF a third
State ticket will be the next step on the
part of the Progressive party since, under
the dictates of their leader, members OF
this party cannot support DR.. Hatfield for
Governor or the ticket OF which he is the
head.
Those who desire to guess at the re-
suit of the election to be held in West
Virginia in November next should re-
member that the Democratic party is
stronger in West Virginia at the present
time than il has been for many years,
regardless OF the situation in the Repub-
lican party. In addition TO this unusual
strength of the Democracy, the condition
in the Republican party should not be
lost sight OF. The splendid record made
by the Democratic representatives from
West Virginia in both houses OF Congress
has united and strengthened the Demo-
cratic party in West Virginia until it need
not fear to meet even united Republican
party in the campaign. The course pur-
sued by the Democrats from West Viz
ginid in both Senate and House has been
such as to justify the confidence which
has been placed in them and which has
resulted in bringing together all Demo-
Gratis and uniting them for the fight against
the various kinds of Republicans who are
trying to get themselves into political
power. On the other hand, there are SC
many varieties of Republicans fighting
under so many different leadershipS, thai
no one who processes to telong to thai
party knows today exactly where he
stands.
| According to Governor GlasScock, Mr.
Taft is not the real nominee of the Re-
publican party, but H. ]. SimmS, OF Mont
gomery, West Virginia, who was select,
ed by the West Virginia delegation to the
Republican convention at Chicago, wen
to the White House last Thursday anc
assured President Taft that he is the reg.
ular nominee of the Republican party tol
President. DR.. Hatfield, Senator Scott
Senator Davis ElkinS, Congressman
Hughes and other leaders of the Republl'
can party joined with Mr.. Simms in thi:
assurance. William Seymour Edwards
member OF the National Committee
which is trying to elect Mr.. Taft, assert:
that Theodore Roosevelt is the real nom
inee Of the Republican party Tor President
But Mr.. Roosevelt says he is not a Re-
publican, but is seeking to establish
new party and to become its candidate
for President. 1t is hoped by some tina
the candidates for electors on the Repub
lican ticket, if elected, will vote for VIM
H. Taft for President; others believe thel
will vote for Roosevelt, while Mr.. Wick
ers, one OF the candidates, says it is hi
own business and no one else's how HI
will vote for President if he is choSel
an elector. Such is the situation in TIT
Republican party in West Virginia, whit
the Democratic party is more thorough!
united than it has been before for many
years and more determined to win in the
coming election.
AS the adjournment of Congress draws
near, the agreements upon measures anc
the passage fbills become more frequent
The Democrats in Congress have contin
ued the good work in behalf of the peo
pie which they began so well at the extr
session of Congress last year. Tariff bill
intended to reduce the cost of living, ant
to cut down the enormous profits which
the people have been compelled to pa.
to the trusts, have been passed by boil
Houses through the efforts of the Demo
cratic Senators and Congressman, AM