Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-09
reasons for not wanting an instructed
delegation at Baltimore.
Harmon First Choice.

The so-called conservatives. who are
IN complete control of the democracy
In West Virginia, now are favorably
inclined to Harmon and Underwood
as much as Clark. Harmon Is the
first choice of men close to Watson
and Chiffon. II need occasion no sur
prise II West Virginia is found giving
some votes to Harmon on the first
ballot. for down in the hearts Of the
leaders Harmon Is the man preferred
Clark's popularity has been valuable
asset in West Virginia in heading off
Wilson. his education in a West Vir-
Sinia college being a powerful lever
and his compromise temperament as
between Taft and Roosevelt serving
also as an argument as to the logic
of his nomination. while the "Houn'
oawg song has been peculiarly eff
fective in further popuiarizing the
movement, sincere or otherwise as that
movement has been in this state. This
song has been played and sung fire.
quently during periodic lulls in the
conventions
Republicans Take Heart.
II the democrats are encouraged over
the outlook. the republicans also have
taken heart from the record vote
polled for Hatfield. which. they figure,
spells his success in November, and
along with him probably the rest of
the ticket. and with it fighting
chance to redeem the legislature
The probability Of a republican legis-
lature, plus the desire to control their
local situation. as well as to secure
grips on the state leadership. devel-
oped pretty fight in the northern
Hubbard and H. c. Ogden The latter,
who aspires to succeed N. B. Scott. got
more than an even split in the election
OF committeeman and nominees for the
legislature. Hubbard was favorable
to the nomination Of Dillon for gov
ernor, but Dillon'S poor race was no
reflection on Hubbard's prestige. how
ever. Dillon made a desultory cam
paign without any organization, and
doubtless stuck to his declarations that
he would observe the limit Of expendi-
lures permitted by the corrupt prac-
tees act.
Southern Counties Stronger.
The republican state primary Incidental
ly disclosed the increasing power Of the
southern tier counties. All the nominees
are from the lower counties except Reed
secretary OF state, and Sutherland for
representative at large. and Sutherland's
county. Randolph, Is as much southern
as central. The Hatfield boosters made
good their predictions by giving Hatfield
almost unanimously the counties Of Nc
Dowell and Mingo. The first three pre-
cincts to report from Mcdowell showed
500 for Hatfield and not vote for either
Swisher or Dillon. while Mingo had 1900
for Hatfield and less than a hundred for
either Of his competitors. These are the
two black belt counties. which were cited
as scenes Of election irregularities by
Rankin Wiley in his contest to unseat
Representative Hughes before the House
of Representatives year ago.
Hatfield's strength was almost duplicat-
ed by Howard Sutherland, victor over
Charles F. Teter for representative at
large Sutherland entered the race Just
in time to get his name officially before
the committee and on the ballots. The
poor vote received by Teter like Swisher,
once factional candidate for governor.
tired of the old names and welcomed
the new. Certain it is that Hubbard.
Scott. Dawson. Swisher. Dillon. Scherr
and White will be no longer names to
conjure with. Dawson and Hubbard got
their lamps cut again. trimmed and burn
ing, for successful espousal of the
Roosevelt cause. but evidently there will
be a new leadership in the state organ
ization, following the choice of Hatfield,
and since they have displayed to the rest
of West Virginia their ability to pile up
republican votes, the counties below the
Great kanawha river will dictate party
policies and the apportionment of the
bigger plums.
To Meet at Huntington.
The Democrats will meet at Hunting
ton to outline their state ticket, and so