The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-08-08
Reported to be Investigating
the Senatorial Situa-
ton.
ELECTION NEXT YEAR
Time for Those Who Want
in on the Race to Bestir
Themselves.
BY CHARLES BROOKS SMITH.

WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. s.
Interesting is the news fetched to the
amen corner where West Virginia poll
ticians are wont to gather, when they
are in the Capital, to take survey Of
public men and political conditions in
their state; even a worldwide war has
proyen inefficient in mOnOpolizing the
entire interest of the West Virginia
politician In his favorite pastiming,
The news which comes Is that H. c.
ogden, the Wheeling publisher, Is
casting the lead in the senatorial sea,
hopeful that the depths Of favorable
feeling toward his we'll known ambt'
ton ascertalned, will warrant his SHOW
ing his bark out into the cross'cur'
rents Of midChannel.
That Editor Ogden should be feeling
out sentiment toward him in various
ections is not held to be so surprising
as the fact that somebody on the Re-
publican end of the equation should
have made the start is interesting. 1t
is considered to be q timely effort mas
much as the nomination Is to be made
at a general primary which is to be
held exactly one year from this self
same month, and It will doubtless
serve as an invitation to other men OF
the Republican Saith, suspected of har'
boring the same ambition, to bestir
themselves, That Mr.. Ogden should
consider the time appropriate to get
busy may be taken as no impulsive
nor premature decision on the situa
ton, as he has never been character
lied as q politician lacking sagacity.
AS to the ambition Of the Wheeling
/ editor TO enter the United States Sen
ate, there has never been much ques
ton among party leaders. He has fol
years been credited by them with bid
ing his time; that he thinks-or hopes
that this Is the time, no better proc
is needed than that he has begun t
investigate carefully, as Is his habit
precedent to taking stand in politics
Aside from this news Of the Wheel
ing mans quiet investigations there
has come 10 Washington no informa
ton that anybody else has started t
grow symptoms Of being Intended seri
ous-minded. Not up till now, at any
rate. But among the states politi
clans here, and out in the state for tina
matter, when the party lineup for thu
next campaign is discussed, which 1!
frequently now, many we'll know
names of well known party leaders arr
brought up, debated and analysed, and
in a majority Of cases, most unfeeling
ly laid aside, for the time being, a
least. The index finger Of logic ant
paramount availability has not yet be
! gun to do business.
| How much Of a figure the past fac
tional troubles of the party are goint
! to cut in next years shuttle and dea
Of the cards, Is a question nobody cal
answer. II anybody could, it would
clear the skies of the clouds Of doubt
which hang heavy, somber and Low
over the organization. If, the old fight
are to continue and the old wounds ar
to be reopened, by the nomination o
those leaders responsible for them,
is universally conceded that man,
names mentioned in preliminary
cropping way in connection with tn
Republican nomination for the sens
torship will not figure seriously whel
the voters get right down to the bus
Continued on page two}