West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-01-07
OUR wAsHINcroN LETTER
heeueiicsn LEADERS OF West Virginia.
Mseshsiins Their Forces In eIa
Fight Over Orasnixstlon Of the
leaIsistvre-Eikins and Mann Are
Said TO Have CombIned Against
Hatfield and Ogden
(From Geo. w. Summers. }

oil renewed contest IN West Virginia
over the leadership OF the Republican
party. Governor Hatfield, with insati-
able ambition. is said not only to be
longing for the Senatorship to succeed
Senator Chiffon in 1916. and the leader
ship OF the Republican party in West
Virginia, but il reported to have designs
upon national politics, with desire to
become even more than Senator from
West Virginia. But he is understood to
regard Howard Sutherland, Congressman
at Large, as in his way and is reported
to be trying to induce Sutherland to run
for Governor i'm 1916, instead of for the
Senate. On the other hand Herschei
Ogden, OF Wheeling. brother OF Howard
n. Ogden, of the Public Service Com.
mission, has started campaign for the
governorship, and fearing Sutherland.
Is trying to induce him to run for the
Senate. Hatfield and Ogden have been
drawn together by force OF circumstances
in politics, and while not naturally
friendly, they may be induced to combine
forces in their ambition the one for the
Senate and the other to be governor
The Governor fears Ogden, as shown by
his retention OF Ogden's brother Howar
on the Public Service Commission many
months after he wanted TO be rid of him.
Ogdon fears Hatfield as shown by his
support OF the Governor through his
newspaper when he personally disikes
him. Ogden wants to go the Senate and
If he combines with Hatfield to elect
Hatfield Senator to succeed Chiffon,
himself becoming Governor, then he
might hope for the support of Hatfield
for Ogden when the latter becomes a
candidate for Senator in 1918. Isaac T
Mann, Davis Elkins and William Seymour
Edwards all hoped for Hatfield's support
when they were candidates for Senator
in 1918, but they all failed to get it. So
1t may be with Ogden, although he is a
wary and sly politician himself and
knows what kind of mai he has to
| deal with in Hatfield. OF course, the
Governor is not going to be allowed to
attain his ambition without opposition.
Davis Elkins, Isaac L. Mann and others,
remember the past, when they were
mercilessly led up to political slaughter,
will not fail to unsheath their knives
and use Them upon the Governor at the
right time. There are rumors that Davis
Elkins and Isaac T. Mann have reached
an agreement by which they are to
combine forces against Hatfield and
Ogden, il the latter two work together,
and try to beat both OF them. The plan,
1t is said, is for the combin ed strength
| to be used in the effort to make Mann Sena-
tor to succeed Chiffon and for the same
influences to be used for Elkins az a
candidate to succeed Senator Golf two
years later. The preliminary skirmish,
with this lineup, will be made when the
effort to organize the legislature is made.
IL is not quite certain how the fight will
terminate in the Senate but i'm the
House Of Delegates it seems pretty certain
at this time that Elkins and Mann will
win out. Vernon johnson, OF Berkeley
Springs, seems to be certain of the
speakership of House and he is one of
the closest friends Davis Elkins has and
has had the Elkins backing ever since he
became candidate. State Chairman
Thomas j. Sherrard, who was made
| chairman by Davis Eikins, against the
~isi es OF Governor Hatfield, has written
to every Republican member of the
House, as STATE Chairman, asking support
Tor Mont Topping, OF Charleston, for
| clerk OF the House, aud Topping seems
certain to land the position, completing
the anti Hatfield victory in the House.
such a victory would but make the con-
test the more spirited and start the fur
to lying in the real battle TO follow for
the Senatorship. All OF which is decid-
edly interesting to West Virginia Demo-
Gratis.
While Congressman William G.. Brown
has oeen in Florida and other parts of
the south for his health during the holt
days, and combining a wedding Journey
with his search Tor restored health, the
work OF his office has not been allowed
TO stop. Nor has it been subject to the
least delay or lack of attention. His
efficient secretary Foster Ziegler, has
kept the Congressman office open
throughout the holidays and while he
was at his home in Kingwood for few
DAYS at Christmas time all matters OF
Importance were attended to in the Office
by Miss Nellie Kelliher, stenographer TO
the Congressman. Mr.. Ziegler has re-.
turned and the Congressman is expected
back in few days, after which il is ex.
pected there Will be no interruption TO
business till the adjournment on March
4. Mr.. Browns health is reported to be
Improving in the warmer climate OF the
south and his return from his honeymoon
trip 10 the land Of sunshine and flowers
is expected TO mark full restoration TO
health for the Congressman who has
been suffering from severe colds all
winter.
West Virsinians were slow in return.
ing to Congress after the holiday recess.
but their Offices were open and business
transacted as usual. They will all have
a busy time Of il from now on till the
end Of the season on March .
Senator Chiffon vas one Of the guests
OF Senator John Sharp Williams. Of
Mississippi at postum dinner given
recently in the capitol. Postum, sweet
potatoes and cornbread we're the principal
items OF food.
A bill has been introduced by Con-
Brown, which will be pushed
in the House at this session Of Congress,