The Washington times., 1913-10-01
CAPITAL KEEPSE EYE
ON THREE CONTESTS
Political Battles in West Vir.
ginia, Massachusetts, and
New Jersey Watched.

new Jersey Watcned.
The contests In Massachusetts, New
Jersey. and West Virginia are COM
manding the careful scrutiny of the
politicians about Washington just at
present. Contests Of one sort and
another are on elsewhere. The New
York mayorality fight. for instance. Is
being watched by pretty nearly every
body. But the Massachusetts. New Jer-
sey. and West Virginia elections are
generally rated as likely to prove re-
Elections of national conditions.
And the real question which every.
body wants answered, and answered not
by theories. but by actuai election fig
ures, Is what is happening TO the Pro-
gressives. Along with that goes the
is coming back. and whether the Demo
cratic party is gaining or losing ground.
Massachusetts, Fight Warm.
The fight in Massachusetts, already is
animated, and will be much more SO be-
fore the election. Congressman Angus
tus P. Gardner having been nominated
for governor on the Republican ticket,
after q spectacular contest in the pri-
maries, the next thing to be determined
is whether Mr.. Gardner, who II run
ming as q progressive Republican, can
be elected In a hard triangular cam
paign. II he should be elected, It would
pe no small tribute to his vote-gettirg
powers. and would be accepted by Re-
Was really I saininn streneth !Hi IN. !ae Demo.
cratic candidate. David I. Walsh. heads
a strong ticket. and the Progressive
ticket. headed by Charles Sumner Bird,
for governor. promises to make a good
leaders in washington.
At the recent conferences Of Progress
sive party leaders In New York there
was special discussion OF the Massa-
chusetts situation. All agreed that q
and sush sn eor. N viii Se
from outside the State viii be sent into
the field. for the Progressive leaders.
like the Republican and Democratic
ance Of making a good showing of
strength In the Bay State. Gardner has
shown himself an original campaigner
and q formidable fighter. In the pri-
mary campaign. his methods were
unique. and he appealed strongly to
sive party men.
AOv2ulAke WIN Oe1uUCAAtSs
Whether the result win be changed in
any considerable measure by the tariff
situation it Ii not easy to say. The new
law will have barely gone into effect
when the election Is held. and win not
have had time to show what its actual
results will be.
On the whole. the situation on the
face Of things In Massachusetts, looks
best for the Democrats, just as 1t does
in New Jerrey and West Virginia In
each instance. the three-cornered nature
OF the contests gives them the advan-
Expectation is that President Wilson
will be sustained by his home State.
New Jersey. Democratic leaders In
New Jersey and outside are working
hard to that end. The white House is
keeping in close touch with every po.
realizing that the loss Of New Jersey
would be blow at his political prestige.
and would tend to weaken his leader
ship. lessening his strong grip on Con:
sress and making & the Demoeratic mo- ,Sts, eng e
do as he directs. The Democratic NOM
inee Is James r. Fielder. who is now
acting governor. Edward C.. Stokes, Tor
mer governor. is the Republican nomi-
as a reformer is national. 10 the Pro-
nominee. The Democrats ex:
pect Colby TO poll a heavy vote. and
thus to insure the election OF Fielder.
On the other hand. there Is much Demo-
cratic disanection. and Il 10 uncertain
from Fielder by the Jim" Smith forces.
Fight Over Congress Seat.
The West Virginia election. which is
only two weeks away. Is q special one
TO fill the vacancy caused by the res,g-
nation of Congressman John w. Davis,
who has been appointed Solicitor Cen
eral in the Department Of Justice. The
nominee Is Major Mansfield
NJ. Neely. of Fairmont. He probably
will be elected. State Senator Julian q. I;
Hearne. Of Wheeling, Is the Republican
lominee The Progressive party Is pre- |
pairing to put up a strong fight. Sem
itors Clapp and Poindexter will go into |
he districl and make Progressive
4. Gaines is the leading Republican
speaker, but there also win be speakers |
rom outside the district. The tariff |
ssue will be dwelt on by the Republi- |
s oottery. Ss ana t other err protected Interests r.
his region. which is rich In natural
-esources and In manufactures.
Most political leaders take the posi-
ion that until the new tariff measure
ana the ne" currency measure are In /
Lo-ce, and have had a chance to show |
low they will operate. the political align
nents will be unsettled and uncertain. |
While this is apparently true, the results
n the three States referred to will be
widely looked on as affording a pretty
lear indication Of the way the currents
Ire running.
BuIgaria's Losses.
SOFIA. Oct. 1.-Government reports
how that a.. .S92 BulRarians were killed |