Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1920-03-16
Daily
Editorial
Digest
(Titls App'd for L. s. Pat on)
Edited by the Washington
Feature Service
DAVID LAWRENCE, Priest.
WOOD AS PRESIDENTIAL
TiMSER

Leonard Wood got a flying start in
the race for the Republican presiden
tial nomination. and although there
have been several other strong en-
tries it is generally conceded that
thus far he is still in the lead. AS
the Memphis News.Scimitar Gnd.)
says, lit appears . be Wood against
the field" However. the race has
hardly begun, and there is yet time
for General Wood to be overhauled.
such a lead at the start has tended to
The very fact that Wood gained
make the other candidates combine
10 beat him. "Lowden, Harding and
Johnson are the strongest candidates
against him" declares the Syracuse
Post Standard (Rep0, none of them
having his present strength, together
having greater than he.
Wood has made q bold vancouver
in Illinois. While other candidates
have scrupulously kept off the preser-
yes OF the "favorite sons" the Wood
managers have daringly entered their
candidate in the primaries against
Governor Lowden. This action "ex-
hibijs degree OF nerve which is OBJ
Nio@SiY appealing TO the amazement
of professional politicians throughout
The country" comments the Lynch.
burS News (nem0, and 1T would
seem that the General rs disposed TO
hasten the contest to a conclusion
ard 10 fight il aSainst tho drla even
to invite all Corners TO Join against
him The News continues:
Should the unexpected happen and
the Illinois primary indicate a pre-.
ference for him over Lowden, the
fact would doubtless mean that he
had won his battle for the Presiden-
tial nomination. . On the other
hand, should he fail to score against
Lowden in Lowden's own state, the
result would not necessarily mean his
elimination. =. A Lowden victory
would be fairly interpretable as a
matter OF state pride"
This opinion regards the move as
good tactics. But the Des MONIES
Register Qnd. Rep thinks other
wise. 1T Will solidify the field aga
Inst him" says the Register. and if
he does not have first choice strength
enough he will not he nominated. He
will be like General Grant with his
stalwarts in 1880, with not enough to
nominate him but with enough to
thoroughly arouse the opposition. :"
The Peoria Transcript Gnd, is in
ciined TO support this judgment. say
ing the Wood management has bun.
kled badly in this state" while the
Buffalo Courier DEM speaks Of the
amazingly clumsy work OF the
Wood committee" which fl thinks lis
calculated to demage the Wood boom
not only IN Illinois but in 0tler
states" The Courier refers 10 a
telegram sent ny the Wood manage.
20 the Republican senators and con
Eressmen from Illinois. asking their
support for Wood in order that our
committee may be friendly TO Won. ="
Both Illinois Senators and twenty
two Representatives, says the Cour
Ter, Joined in hot reply. They de
ciared that the Wood committee
must be aware of the fact that ever,
IRepublican member OF the Illinois
delegation was a party to formal res
buttons adopted last Qocamhe~
piedgIns enthusiastic and constant
support 10 Governor LOwden."
In Ohio. too. The Wood managers
are active, although Senator Hardne
Is the favOrite son. ~CEey tala
brought IN James r. GARFIELD as sec.
ond choice says The Milwaukee
Journal lInd1 an order TO kee5
Harding ont Of rs many second
choice votes as Js4.aia. Ihe FE.saf
ing people re,ort te wttrg r. JOHN
son and The aged General ~ &arre.