Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-03-22
Washington News.
From George w. Summers.

agree as TO how the members Of the
party stand between Taft and Roose-
welt for the Presidential nomination.
Governor Giassecc ok, head of the Roose-
welt movement in West Virginia, and
II G. Young, Secretary of Roosevelt
State Committee, were here last week
and assured Senator Dixon, the mana
ger of the Roosevelt National cam
paign, that the sentiment Of the West
Virginia Republicans is overwbelm-
lngll for Roosevelt and that he will
have a solid delegation from West
Virginia 10 the National Convention.
rhe day before Governor Glasseock
arrived here, former Congressman
George Z. Sturgess OF Morgantown
WAS here aud said "Col. Roosevelt has
been grossly received by Governor
tilassccck aud other Wet Virginians
IS to the sentiment In that STATE" lie
added that West Virginia would send
solid Taft delegation TO the Chicago
i Convention.
| O'e of the startling developments OF
the week in Republican peiitics was
the appeal from the Roosevelt Com
mittee to permit the negToes of the
country to dictate the Republican can
didate for President. A statement
was given out from the Roosevelt Ma
tionsl Headquarters TO the effect that
the negro votors Of the country would
not support MIR. Taft In the event Of
his nomination. Commenting upon
this Senator Dixon, leader Of the
Roosevelt campaign, said "lt means
The certain loss of the 15 electoral votes
In Indiana, 20 IN Illinois, Is in Mis-
souri,, 3 ia Delaware, s in West Vir-
ginia, "a IN Ohio, 10 in Kansas and
IA Mary land. With the elimination
oil tnese lis electoral votes the nomi-
nation OF Taft would mean political
suicide Senator Dixon added at is
fact that 10 pivotal Republican states
like ONO, Indiana, Illinois, " eat Vir-
+ ginia, New jersey, Missouri, Ksnsss
and Aiarylan the negro voters alb
s,1lutely constitute the balance Of power
between the two great parties. In
states like Massachusetts, New York
and other states, in a closely contested
election, they may also determine the
balance of powero stating ia effect
that without the negro vote West vir-
| gina and the other states named can
not be expected to give their electoral
votes 10 the Republican nominee and
Il. at unless Roosevelt 10 the nominee
/ the negroes of those states Will not
vote the Republican ticket, Senator
Dixon makes piteous plea to the
white Republicans t the United States
to ali the negroes TO nominate Col.
Roosevelt the man who invited The
negro teacher, Booker Washington, to
dine with him IN the White House. A
plain proposition is put up to the Re-
publican party by Senator Dixon 10
the effect that ii must allow the ne
groes 10 name the residential Candidate
or there will be Democratic president.
1t is not hard TO guess how the Re
| publicans Of West Virginia will choose
between the two alternatives.
The West Virginia Senators have too
very important measures, of interest
not only TO the people OF West Virginia
but throughout the country as well,
now before the Senate. Senator Chi.
ton has introduced a bill intended
primarily 10 bring relief to the coal
operators of West Virginia who have
been subjected in many cases to unfair
tieatment by the railroad companies.
His bill provides that no officer OIL
director of any railroad company oper
ating q competing line. This it IL be-
lieved would effectually put stop tc
now existing in West Virginia. Each
railroad would then be operated As an
independent concern and its rates and
IL. elhods of dealing with the coal oper-
ators and other shippers would not be
dictated by the officers of competing
line. The bill has been generally ap.
proved by the coal operators OF West
Virginia, many of whom have written
Senator Chiffon expressing their al,-
prevail OF it. The measure is now befcr-
the Senate Committee on Inlerstst Il
Commerce OF which Senator Watson
is member and one meeting of the
Committee has slfeady been lad upoi.
it. 1t is believed favorable report Oh,
the bill will be made 10 the Senate.
Another meaeure which will affect
almost all West virginiaas, as well ss
the people of other states, il Senator
Watson's amendment TO the tariff bill
| providing that potatoes be admitted 10
the United States free OF duty until
tue first of 5eptem Der 1912 The pot. :
toes OF American gov til, now in the
I -. - a n.