Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1913-01-03
All Confident of Success.
Especial Correspondence

All Confident of Success.
Especial Correspondence
CHARLESTON, w. Va, Dec. 30
The political fates are beginning TO
juggle the figures on the senatorial
contest very rapidly and the lSaleido-
scope of state politics is shifting the
pictures of the candidates with We
locity that puzzles even the astute,
seasoned politician. 1t looks like a
gamblers chance, with the possibil-
ity of so many four-fiushers that the
coveted plum in the Jackpot" may
not be carried to Washington for
many a day to come Candidates,
avowed and receptive, are blowing in
TO the capital on every breeze and
flags are being hoisted over head
quarters in such quick succession that
"one woe doth tread upon another's
heels"
The Kanawha Hotel forms the bat
lie ground upon which the fight is
opening Colonel Edwards establish
ed headquarters in, that distinguished
hosiery about a week ago, and now
under the same roof, Elkins, Mann
and Showalter have tackled their shin
giles on the door and opened their box
of campaign cigars.
Ex-Governor Dawson, exCongress-
man Huling, Mr.. Bert Buster, and
other leaders prominent in the eoun-
ellis of the third party, are wearing
smiles as elastic as a political plat
form, and openly claiming the elec.
ton of the "newlydoctored'' Colonel
by a safe margin. Assuming that a
member CT the newborn party is en-
titled to the honor of DOMINIC Senator
Wat sons toga, they say that Colonel
Edwards is the logical and deserving
candidate by every token of fairplay
That Roosevelt polled a larger state
vote than Taft gives them decided
advantage at the very opening Of the
handicap. they argue, and the fact
that they voted for the Republican
party candidate for state offices
should obligate Republicans to vote
for the candidate OF the new party on
the broad principle that turn about
is fair play"
The Mann adherents, however sig
naIly fail to grasp and assimilate the
force of this argument For instance
Mr.. Thomas H. Scott, a prominent
young attorney of Wyoming, who
spent yesterday in the city, openly
states that, in his opinion, Mann will
line I'D the solid vote south of the
Kanawha river, both OF the Republi-
can and the Progressive parties, al
though Colonel Mann is enmeshod
with no tangling alliances with the
Chicago-born party. Colonel Mann
say his friends. is popular with work
men and business men alike, and al
though coal operator, enjoys the
good will of the miners. Mr., Scott
stated that he knew of no delegate
from the southern tier of counties
who is opposed to Mann
1t is difficult, however. to figure
how this would give the Bramweii
candidate a very formidable lead,
since CabeIfs three members of the
House are Democrats, as also the one
from Lincoln, two from Wayne, one
from Boone, one from Logan and the
holdover senators for the Fifth and
Seventh districts.
ShowaIter Quiet But Determined
One of the surprises which the late
campaign has developed is the quiet,
but persistent activity with which
Emmett NJ. Showalter, of Fairmont
has been journeying from Jefferson to
Mcdowell. making a personal can
vas among almost the entire person
mel of the new legislation. He drop
ped into Charleston Saturday and i'm
medlately hung up his hat in the
Kanawha. The youthful candidate
from Fairmont is pleased with the
outlook, and claims his ultimate cleo
ton. lie states that he has sent no
agents to see any one in his inter
est and is submitting his claims per
sonaliy TO the legislators and to the
people on the merit of his record.
He has not asked any delegate TO
pledge his vote and is not PLAY ing
machine politics. His friends some
of whom are in the city, argue that
the election OF Edwards, Elkins or
Mann is an impossibility and that as
compromise candidate, Showalter
will be acceptable to both the Repub-
lioan and the Bull Moose parties. al
though the Fairmont statesman has
not taken French leave of the Repub-
liCan party.
Hon. Davis EIkins Arrives.
The c. & O. 2. F. Y. from Washing
ton, in passing here Saturday drop
ped Senator Davis Elkins, and his
brother Richard (himself. They
quickly tackled their flags al the Ka-
uawha and With the nonchalance Of
schoolbov the Young scion OF %