Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-02-23
Live Washington Notes.
From Geo. w. Summers.

Senators deny absolutely that they are
attempting in any way to influence
the vote Of West Virginia for or against
any aspirant for the presidency,
First they were lined up Ivy the
Metropolitan Press for Harmon. Later
on it was asserted that they were
working for Clark. Then came the
statement that they were using their
influence to bring about the nomination
of Senator Ottoman and one of the
latest statements was to the effect that
they had joined with number of
other southern Democrats IN support
of Champ Clark because they felt that
| he was the only man who could both
defeat Woodrow Wilson and be elected.
| Senators Watson and Chiffon have
in turn denied each one Of the stories
and have persistently stated that they
were not undertaking and would not
undertake to dictate to the Democrats
Of West Virginia in the matter. Follow
| ing the last publication Senator Chill
ton gave out a statement denying the
entire story and saying ST feel that
any good Democrat can be elected
President. / have declared for no
one for President and see no good
reason fer dong so now. The Demo
Gratis of West Virginia are perfectly
capable Of expressing and will express
l hair oh 70 nj
time.n
| Senator Watson stated that he mad
net changed his views since the pub
| LEGATION of his interview some weeks
ago in which he stated that he was
taking no part in the contest for the
Democratic nomination for President
and that while he believed West Viz
GINA probably would send an unin-
structed delegation to the National
| Convention he felt chat the Democrats
of the state were fully able to select
their own delegation and instruct it or
not as they saw fit without any effort
on his part to influence their action.
/ Notwithstanding the changed con-
ditious since the days when West Vir
ginia had 2 tull Republican delegation
in both Houses of Congress Washing
ton still seems to be the Mecca for all
West Virginia Republican office seek
es. they have not gotten out of the
abit of coming to Washington to
have their candidacy passed upon and
| within the last week there have been
quite number of Republican Office
seekers here.
Charles w. Swisher who wants to
he Governor and Davis Elkins who
wants to be Senator were here at the
same time and it is understood that
although Davis Elkins was present at
| the conference, at which Dr. Hatfield
was induced to become candidate for
| Governor, he has switched around and
is now supporting Mr.. Swisher for the
| nomination. Former Senator Scott is
said to be favorable to the nomination
of Mr. Swisher and the latter has as
sured his friends here that ne viii get
the nomination With pIeojy of votes
to spare.
CiIarlea F. reter aud sam Mont
gon,ery Met ia Washington duringt the
last week. Mr.. Ieter is an announced
candidate for Congressmau at large
aud Sam Montgomery probably will
soon annoulce his candidacy for the
same office Notwithstanding Mr..
Montgomery is an avOwed supporter
of Theodore Roosevelt for the pfesi-
dency he and Davis Elkins, Sam Dix
on of Fsyette County al d w. 5. Mere
dith of Eairmont, all called at the
White House few days ago and dis
cussed West NIrginia politics with the
| President. 1t is not believed, however
that the support OF the President will
go either to Davis Eklas, who so far
as not announced his allegiance to Taft
or to Sam Montgomery, who sticks to
it that Roosevelt is the only Republican
who can carry West Virginia.
The insinceriity OF the support given
to Judge Nathan Golf by West Vir.
ginia Republican pap'rs when he was
suggested for the senstorshlp from
West Virginia or the governorship ir
order to strengthen their cause before
the people has been shown recently in
Washington. Judge Gofi7s name has
been for some time under consideration
hy praaiAant Toft in onnnaot;... ..;,L
the appointment as Justice of the Su-
preme Court TO I'LL the present vacancy.
1t il known that he has been consider
ed by the President as one of about
half dozen possibilities for the place.
But, in spite of this not West Vir-
ginia Republican has been here to urge
his appointment, to present his quail
fications or to state that it would meet