The San Francisco call., 1904-07-13
Respects Davis Highly,
but Hopes to See
Him Lose.
Stormy Convention of
the West Virginia
Republicans.

WHEELING, w. Va, July 12.-At
the close of the first day of the most
turbulent political convention in the
history of the State, following the Bit
terest fight the party has ever expe-
rienced, William Mercer Owens Daw-
son is the Republican nominee for
Governor of West Virginia. Claims of
accessions from the ranks of the Daw-
son followers, made by the managers
of Charles Teter's candidacy, deter
mined the Dawson leaders TO make a
test of strength early in the day, and
it came when a motion to dispense
with the committee on credentials, re-
sisted stubbornly by the Teterites, was
carried by more than 100 majority.
The Dawson faction followed its ad-
vantage and despite scenes of the
widest disorder, during which Senator
Elkins threatened to withdraw from
his position as chairman, they forced a
nomination before the platform was
prepared. The resolutions committee
will not meet until tomorrow morning
but the candidate is named. The re-
mainder of the ticket will be chosen on
Wednesday.
The convention was called to order
at 1890 o'clock in the Wheeling Ca
sino, four miles east of the city. Sen
ator Elkns was temporary chairman.
In his speech he said:
THE Democratic party, in its de-
sire to capture the State, has nominated
for Vice President one of our most
distinguished citizens and the foremost
-, !, l1,,+ y &c
in most everything else, the Demo-
Gratis made a mistake. Senator Davis,
to whom l am so nearly related and
for whom l cherish feelings of the high
est regard, admiration and affection,
is a man of affairs and an experienced
statesman, having served his State
creditably in the Senate for twelve
years. With these qualifications and
this fitness he should have been named
for the first place instead of a man
without a record and without business
or political experience. West Virginia
cannot be beguiled into giving up pro-
lection and sound money to make
Judge Parker President, even if by sc
doing they make Senator Davis Vice
President. / have not the slightest
doubt of victory next November. There
is no good reason why a Republican
should change his vote on State anC
national politics, but many anC
weighty reasons why he should not.
THE Democracy of West Virginia
advocates the astounding proposition
/ should it come into power in the State
of disfranchising $1,000 loyal coloreC
Republicans and robbing them of the
rights of citizenship guaranteed by the
constitution and for which many OF
them and their fathers fought in the
war Of the Union. Republicans mus
and will resist this proposition, be.
cause it is not only wrong in itself
but unfair and unjust TO large body
of law-abiding, worthy and industriou:
citizens.
President Roosevelt has given the
people a wise and pure administrator
that commends itself to all our peo.
pie. The President has so commended
himself to the people that he has beer
renominated without opposition, ant
with him for Vice President Charlie:
I Warren Fairbanks, one of our purest
ablest, most experienced and conserva.
tive statesmen. Under the Leadership
of these men with the flag of protec
ton floating high over it, the Repub
lican party will triumph.
President Roosevelt already stand:
as one of the remarkable figures in oul
history. He walks hand in hand will
destiny and at times seemingly compell
it to do his bidding. The American
people will not turn away from hin
TO risk or follow an untried man on al
ambiguous, evasive and un-Americal
platform"