Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-27
WILSON IN THE LEAD
Three Cornered Fight in West
Virginia Benefits Him.
THIRD TERRIERS DEFIANT
Coalition of Factions on State Ticket,
However, With Reasonable Pros
poets Of Success.
'pecial Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
WHEELING. W. VA, October &C. 1872
The closing days Of the campaign in
West Virginia finds the fight for the
national ticket admitted on all sides
to insure the electoral votes for Wood
row Wilson. Roosevelt and Taft re-
publicans have no hesitancy in max
ing this admission. The Taft leaders
continue to fight hard just the same,
and say If the campaign were to go
six weeks longer they would be in a
much improved position. and with a
probable chance for victory. but as the
situation exists the state is conceded
TO the head of the democratic ticket.
Both the Taft and Roosevelt men are
anxious to make a showing for their
respective candidates as a matter of
pride and as a claim for recognition in
the prospective reorganization of the
republican lines in this state. The day
Roosevelt supporters expect to be re-
publicans again, with equal claims to
regularity with the Taft men, The
TaftiteS won't concede the logic Of this
position now. but after the election
they will be glad to welcome all wan
derers back to the fold
The dual republican organization prop
osit1on In West Virginia hangs only on
the presidency, as, Win a rev local
exceptions. the entire republican state
and county tickets have been Endorsed
by the third termers. Most of the
Roosevelt supporters resent being iden-
titled with the third party movement
as separate party organization, but
are supporting Roosevelt because they
will not support Taft.
Friction Disappearing.
The situation is illustrated by the alb
sence of friction as the election draws
near. The Taft Cor regularly repub-
licans no longer use harsh terms in
speaking of republicans who are pro-
Roosevelt. and content themselves with
simple and general appeals for sup
port for Taft. Their arguments for his
reelection are practically conferred on
the Why vote. for change cry.
They point out that West Virginia is
dependent largely on protective tariff,
that times are good and that demo-
cratic administration may mean an.
other 1893 panic. Indirectly. they jab
the third party movement an auXiI-
larry factor to democratic success and
serving no other timely purpose
This appeal against change. and
buttressed by tariff, is making some
Roadway for Taft in the closing days
of the campaign, and the evidences OF
this Roadway are the base of the Taft
leaders belief that if the campaign had
month or so longer to run there
tory. The Taft boomers believe the
silent vote will come their way. and
they hope to get most of the republican
farmers to desert Roosevelt They
have undoubtedly Influenced many re-
publican workingmen who We're orig
inaIly for Roosevelt to vote for Taft.
The fact that the Roosevelt movement
has no separate state ticket and the fact
that the leaders of both sides effected an
agreement for mutual returns has had
the effect of retarding the Roosevelt SEN
timent among the independently inclined
voters. Because of this these independ-
democrats who might have supported
Roosevelt refuse to desert their party.
Agreement Helps Taft.
The joint agreement on the republican
state ticket has also helped Taft by the
Incidental influences of regularity and the
fact that the county organizations con-
Quoting the state meetings are virtually
all regular. and Taft's picture is dis
played occasionally at these gatherings,
with Roosevelt's conspicuously absent.
Il is peculiar situation throughout
For instance, the progressive banner
flung across Wheeling street contains
not only the names of Roosevelt and
Johnson but the name of William Sey-
mour Edwards as a candidate for the
United States Senate. Edwards is the
West Virginia member of the republican
national committee ordered on the COM
mittee, but who was never deposed, be-
cause the republican state committee re-
fused to act on the national bodyS sue-
gestion and name his successor
No authority can be found for placing
Edwards name on this banner. and the
fact that this is the home town of w.
p. Hubbard. considered progressive
prospective for senator for awhile. stirred
up friction in the local third term cir
cles. Whether or not it is significant,
ciusion to take the stump for RoOse-
Welt and will fill many speaking dates.
The Taft people refuse to admit republi-
can members OF the legislature will be
for Edwards in return for Endorsement of
the republican state ticket by Edwards
and his political associates.
Ex-Gov. Dawson. the progressive state
chairman; Gov. GlasScock and 5. 3.
Montgomery. leading Roosevelt men, say
they are for Edwards for the Senate. and
believe that the previous use of Edwards
name will help the state ticket. Willing
to gain help from that source and unite
In defeating democratic Legislature, the
old liners prefer to be silent at this time
although personally they would prefer
sending to the Senate Davis Elkins or
Isaac 7. Mann. who have stuck by Taft
There Are Exceptions.
Not all the Roosevelt followers will
support the republican state ticket how
ever They are not satisfied with the al
legged compact between the men higher
Up In their camp and the republican ma
chine leaders They are weakening I'M
der the democratic fire, which Is pouring
into them various Roosevelt utterances
as to what his followers should do in
state matters. They instance mis- remark
anent support for Gov. Hooper OF Ten
nessee. who occupies a similar position
TO that of DR.. Hatfield. the republican
candidate for Governor of West Vir-
GINA The younger element of the Roose-
Welt following is also 'chesty" about be-
ing indepeedent of the old parties, and
consequently are not a certain support for
the republican state ticket
But. with all elements into considera-
ton. the situation in West Virginia may
be reasonably predicted at this time as
certain for Woodrow Wilson on the one
hand and the republican state ticket on
the other. The legislature promises to be
democratic. Notwithstanding the hopes of
the combined organization leaders in the
Taft and Roosevelt camps.
The success of the republican state
ticket should carry Howard Sutherland.
republican. through as the first represent.
attve-at-1arge- Representative Hughes. re-
publican, - reasonably certain of re-elec
fioU in the