The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-12-19
DEMOCRATS WILL
Fight FOR TOGA

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Specialize
formation reached Washington Thurs
day from Democratic sources in West
Virginia 20 the effect that the Demo-.
Gratis in the State Legislature are plan
nlng 10 retaliate upon the Republicans
for what happened two years ago and
prevent, If possible, the election of a
Republican United States Senator as
the successor to Senator Clarence W.
Watson, whose term expires next
month.
In the winter OF 1901, when the
State Senate was tied between the two
parties, the Republicans II will be re-
membered, left the Stationary going
TO CincinnatiEand refused to particle
pate in the organization of that body
until the Democrats made important
concessions TO them. The Republicans
secured the presidency OF the Senate
DR.. Hatfield, the present Governor
elect, having been chosen for that Of
nee before they permitted the Legisla-
ture 20 proceed 10 the election. on Joint
ballot, OF both Senators Chiffon and
Watson.
Now the Republicans have control
OF the house, though by a smaller ma
lority than the Democrats had two
years ago, with the Senate again tied.
1T is proposed that the Democrat.c
Senator's absent themselves in the man
ner in which the Republicans did two
years ago and thus prevent the Senate
from being organized except upon con-
ditions favorable to the Democrats.
How far this project has progressed
was not revealed in the advfces from
West Virginia, but that IL Is well under
way seems TO be substantially correct
Information of even more disquiet-
Ing nature to the Republicans is that
the Democrats are seriously consid-
ering--if they have not already vir-
tually decided upon-the ACCESSIBILITY
OF not presenting caucus nominee
Tor United States senator when the
Senatorial election comes UP. Know
ing that 1t would be Impossible to
elect Dem ocratic successor to Sena-
tor Watson. and that they could
achieve more practical results than
by giving some member of their party
the empty honor OF a complimentary
minority vote, they propose to use
their voting. strength IN such a way
as TO deadlock the Legislature and
i revent the election of q Republican
this winter.
With this double-barreled s.neme
on foot, they are confident they will
be able to ernbarrass the Republicans
Tor quite while. and they hope to be
able to defer the election of TTnfted
States senator for two years. Then
at the next State election, they Will sry
TO regain control Of the Assembly and
elect Democratic Successor to Mr..
watson The multiplicity of Republic
Gan cAhulOateS Tor WdtSCn'S tOga is
one of the instruments by which the
Democrats hope to accomplish this
purpose.
Moreover. the presence of pro-
gressive element among the Rnpubli-
cans may be the means Of furthe~ing
. the Democratic project, inasmucn as
the Progressives are not expected to
work in entire accord at all times with
the. Republican regulars.
Up 10 this time. Davis Ellkfns. son
! of the late Senator Stephen f. Eikins.
seems TO be we'll in the lead OF other
Republican senatorial aspirants. and
he processes confidence in the success
fui outcome of his campaign. But It
does not require much imagination to
see that with Republican margin OF
only 20 or 81 on joint ballot the
Democrats, by throwing their strength
70 Mr. Elkins' competitors either solid
~ or IN fractions might deadlock
the Assembly and prevent the election
Of senator indefinitely. The situa-
ton presents most interesting posi-
bilities. and Developments are locke ed
for at frequent intervals during the
winter.