Evening star., 1912-01-07
West Virginia Republicans Are
Busy Seeking Office.
DEMOCRATS FULL OF HOPE
But They Are Slow Getting Into
Race for Nominations.
STATE IS IN TAFT COLUMN
Some Roosevelt Sentiment, But It
Lacks Leadership-Growing Sem
timent for Underwood.

WHEELING. W. Va, January ga
dollar dinner Is scheme being advanced
by local republican leaders for the near
future, with a view to arousing party
spirit, which, II is acknowledged, has
previously been in a healthier condition
If the plans go through the invitation list
Will be extended to include party men
from the northern Panhandle counties,
and the candidates for places on the state
ticket will be asked to attend
The activity In West Virginia so far Is
confined to the republican side OF the
mousse. Notwithstanding there are many
republicans who view the November con-
test with douh; and concern and despite
the confidence felt by most of the demo-
Gratis that they are going to sweep the
state and add to the advantage they
gained in the election of legislature
and four out of the five representatives II
1910.
Lilly Starts Campaign.
Abe Lilly. former prosecuting attorney
Of Raleigh coun.y. who is a candidate for
attorney general on the republican ticket,
began his canvass Of the state with
Wheeling start on the new year. and he
promises to cover the fifty-five counties
ard Su herldnd Of Ranoo.ph county, re-
tirns memper or the s,ate senate, is feel
ing out mis- way as the partys candidate
for congreSsman-at-iarg In nKeiy OPP
position to Charles +. Teter, one-t.me
candidate for governor, and Mike kins.
also OF Randolph, practically announced
his candidacy this week for secretary or
sta e.
Reverting to Sutherland. it looks as II
he Will have to buck the organiza ion,
which IS said to be committed to Teter
as part of the agreement arrived at at
he recent Washington conference. at
which the machine agreed on Dr. Hat
fed for governor. The fact that King
is being doomed for secretary of state oy
machine leaders suggests a disposition to
complicate Sutherland in his own county.
In Race for Governor.
Charles W. Dillon has confirmed
previous predictions by announcing his
candidacy for governor. insur.ng three
cornered race with DR.. Hattie and
Charles w. Swisher. Dillon will gather
in much Of the anti-organzation senti-
rnent He has always been a strong or
ganiZation man himself. but has never
been identified so closely with the inner
circle as SwIsher ana Hatneid, and ne
has certain appealing qualities not COM
and independent when prosecuting attor-
ney OF tayette county and as state tax
commissioner. and he has gained as
much as he has lost by his political
career. He states that he will aoide
risidiy by the corrupt practices act and
that he will endeavor to get support
without the tactics frequently resorted to
by expert vote getters.
There is Little likelihood OF an addi- |
ttonal candidate. and IL Is too early to
gauge the character Of the support the |
three will divide. For the loss OF q |
known active antl-rihact1ine candidate the |
Independents may line UP for Dill.n. but. |
az stated. as he has always been identi- |
fed with tie state powers more or less,
his support from that source will not be |
hilarious.y enthusiastic
The chief point of interest In the near
future viii be noting the kind Of cam
paisn Swisher will wage in the face OF
his desertion by the machine and various !
potential leaders who supported him four |
years ago, and who mostly are now in |
the Hatfield column. Sam Dixon, the coal |
baron and republican boss of Fayette. is
behind dillon. II Swish er sticks he will
be likely to develop the large personal
following he has built up in his years OF
frequent travelling through the state, but |
He will enjoy the novel experien, e for the |
rst time of running independent of the |
machine.