The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-01-03
LIVELY
Politics In West Virginia For
Few Days
The Legislature Assemblies
There Today

pliance with the call OF tOv. 1iaSs'
cock the West Virginia legislature as.
sembled today in extraordinary ses.
sion. The sole purpose Of the special
session is to take up the question Of a
county officers salary law and thereby
abolish the existing fee system, under
which the sheriffs and county clerks
are declared to receive revenues out
OF all proportion to the services rend.
cred.
The gathering of lawmakers for the
special session marks the beginning |
of a period of political activity that |
promises to be the liveliest seen In |
West Virginia since the memorable
senatorial struggle in 1898. As in
that year the interest again centers |
In contest for the United States sen. |
atorship.
The regular session Of the legisla.
ture will begin next Wednesday. Two
weeks later the two houses will pro-
ceed to the election Of United States
senator to succeed Clarence w. Wat
son. whose term will expire next
| March.
In the November election West Vir-
ginia was conspicuous for resisting
the Democratic landslide, and as re.
suit the Republicans captured the leg
islature by a substantial margin. Con.
sequently Senator Watsons seat is a
prize sought by half dozen ambi-
tious Republicans, and hot fight is
on, with q legislative deadlock as a
possibility.
Tho opposition that exists between
the regular Republicans and the Pro.
gressives and matters that serve to
make the senatorial contest an exceed
ingly complex affair and the outcome
uncertain. As matters now stand the
Progressives are generally conceded
to hold the key to the situation.
The Progressive candidates for the
seat Of Senator Watson are William
s. Edwards OF Charleston and former
CONGRESSMAN w. p. Hubbard Of
Wheeling In the regular Republican
, camp the names most frequently men.
toned In connection with the senator.
ship are those OF Davis Elkins Of Nor
| gantown, Isaac II. Mann of Bramwell
and former Governor A. B. White Of
Parkersburg, but not only the first
named two are waging aggressive
campaigns. In the event of dead
, lock Circuit Judge John w. Mason OF
, FalrniOnt and several others are ex-
I pected to loom UP as candidates.
Al William S. Edwards il the man
\ whom the other candidates believe
they will have to beat IN order to win
a the t0ga. Edwards liz generally looked
upon as the leading choice of the Pro
@ | gressives. lie Is related to Colonel
d | Roosevelt through marriage and is q
close friend OF former Governor Daw
r son. the third party State chairman
0 Governor Glosscock also Is classed as
y an Edwards supporter
r Davis Elltins, who can be counted
I ON to put up hard fight, is n son o
d the late Senator stephen B. Elkins
Following the death OF his father thu
younger Flkins served for n shor
time In the senate by appointment ant
he has strong desire to return Il
that body. He IL making u bid for thu
votes OF the northern counties on geo
| 10, an
ported by the wealth and influence o
" his grandfather, the venerable Henr,
4 q. Davis. who In his time held abou
every important Office within the gif
OF the State OF West Virginia.
Former Congressman Hubbard is
: consummate politician and can b
= | counted on to divide the strength @
n the Progressives with Mr.. Edwards
r. Isaac Il, Mann has been on the SEM
y torial waiting list for several year
- and has been able to muster potter
;, tial following heretofore In the soutf
4" ern counties. but It Is regarded a
doubtful now II he can overcome tn
strength In that section reputed to b
behind the Edwards movement. Form
or Governor White, another Of tn
candidates, was originally q Rooseve
supporter. hut changed back to Tai
when the third party was protected
j Friends Of the other candidates d.
clure that this has jeopardized Whi,e
~ chances for the senate and his cal
didacy may he better classified as n
ceptive than active.
The Progressives may unite on eiti
!, er Edwards or Hubbard for the sent
n. torship after each has had his trial
a, the legislature caucus, and the regula
Il. Republicans are believed likely to d
70 the same thing M between Elkins an
~ Mann.
70 Judge John w. Mason OF Fairmon
|N ....t.