Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-03
ARE NOT HARMONIOUS
West Virginia Democrats
Have Troubles of Their Own
IN STATE CONVENTION
RADICALS AND CONSERVATIVES
FIGHTING OVER PLATFORM.
The Former Element Favors "White
Mans" Plank-Tax Reform Issue
The Governorship.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
PARkERSBURG. W. Va. August 81
The democrats of West Virginia may
nominate VIM. r. Thompson of Huntington
for governor late today, though this Is
by no means a certainty. The convention
opened at 2 o'clock this afternoon. and
this morning Thompson had the field to
himself. The opposition to him is trying
to center on another candidate, and may
get a man before the convention opens.
Judge w. G. Bennett Of Lewis county is
talked of. and his name will be presented
to the convention. but the Thompson forces
are cemented. and the opposition is without
organization since John H. Holt declined to
run.
When Henry G. Davis. candidate for Vice
President, arrived in Parkersburg yester-
day a boom for ]. H. Holt. who was the
nominee four years ago. and Davis minor
ity colleague on the state tax commits
sion. was sprung. and because 1t came
from Davis it was accepted as the real
thing. National Committeeman John L.
McGraw co-operated with Davis in pushing
it along. Just about the time Holt seemed
to have things his way. General J. w. st.
Clair and other influential corporation at
torneys called Mr.. Davis and held a
conference. Cabell county is the home
Of both Thompson and Holt. ana us
caucus showed an overwhelming majority
for Thompson. The result of these af-
fairs was that Davis cut loose from the
Holt boom. and 1t died before daylight.
Holt says he was never a candidate. but
was ready to run by request.
Criticism Of Mr.. Davis.
Henry G. Davis is being criticised for
bringing Holt out and then embarrassing
him and his friends. Thompson will have
the support In the convention Of the cor
porations and many gold democrats.
The convention will adopt platform
calling for a registration law. "a white
mans government" and will deal generally
with tax reform. The plank about the
white mans supremacy. selected from a
dozen submitted. omits the word negro"
Nominations are not looked for before to-
night. Col McGraw will be named as
chairman. and a strong speech Of accept
ance is promised. The meeting will be
called to order by State Chairman Thomas
b. Davis, a brother of Henry G. The con-
vention sergeant-at-arms Is A P. Garden
Of Wheeling. formerly captain Of the Cap
itol police force at Washington.
The latest twist In the convention situa-
ton consists of a plan to adjourn the con-
ventiOn until tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock. This action. 1t is said. will be
taken Immediately after Chairman Nc
Graws speech. If put through this scheme
means ThOmpSOn's defeat. as his organiZa-
tlOn cannot nOld out. Inc plan was FORMED
at noon, two hours before the convention
opened.
Fitch Chopper"
E. H. Fitch, vino recently resigned as a
special officer in the revenue department,
has Topped from the republican to the DEM
ocratic party, and is working for the nomi-
nation of Thompson. Fitch has been a
great stumper and known The Bald
Eagle of Cabell." He resides in Hunting
ton. the home of Thompson.
The governorship proposition Is still misty.
Half dozen candidates will be sprung.
These will include Thompson, Bennett and
Samuel Woods Of Barbour.
There Is a cry against bossism which Is
directed equally against the Davis McGraw
and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES wings. Marion
county has caucused and will present o.
S. Mckinney for governor. Ex-representa-
tive John Duffy Anderson Of Nicholas is an
other possibility.