The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-05-13
SEG0ADaDIsTRlGIS CONTEST
The akin; Davis consre ssional Fight
y viii Be a Red Hot One. \

Uses to have considerable life, says a
Washington Post report. The Deno.'
cratic nomination Of "Col. Tom" Da-
Wis has provoked vigorous comments
within party lines, but his friends In
this city, and also the friends Of his
brother, ex-senator. Henry G. Davis,
late nominee for the Vice Presidency,
say Jones s. Lakin, the mountaineer
merchant selected by the Republic
cans, must have vigorous resistance.
Only a day or two ago the ex-senator,
still residing in Washington, remark
ed: well, we shall have to stand by
Brother Tom, now that he has got in.
to this muddle.'
1t is hardly a secret any longer that
both Davis brothers are disguised
with Democratic conditions in West
Virginia. Things have come to such
a pass that Democratic nominations
OF rich men in the State are hold
up for money, which goes into the
hands of men who do not always use
It for the purposes intended by the
donors. There are at least two Of.
tenders among Democrats Identified
with the management Of State cam
paigns. Last year ex-senator Davis
was running for Vice President, and
naturally was very anxious to have
the vote of West Virginia for Judge
Parker and himself. he discovered that
his financial contributions were d.
verted to the benefit OF the Demo.
cratic nominee for governor, who was
thought 10 have fair chance Of be-
ing elected. n
!, Mr.. Cornwell, the Democratic nom.
inee for governor, did come near de-
feating Mr.. Dawson, but that did not
4 furnish any comfort to ex-senator Da.
Wis, and his feelings toward these pc.
i litical managers were far from
friendly.
! t"Col.- Tom" Davis had like expert.
J ence in 1902, when he ran as Dem
/ ocratic candidate for Congress from
the Second district against Mr.. Day
ton. He contributed generously tc
the campaign, as wealthy men Of bott
parties in West Virginia now must do
unless they are willing half the voters
should stay away from the polls. His
: chagrin can be imagined when hi
; discovered that the money he gave
: had been used chiefly to elect Dem
= ocratic candidates to the Legislature
: rather than Democratic candidat,
for Congress. In view Of these an,
other like experiences, it can be ar
preciated that "Col. Tom" was sin
cere the other day at keyser when h
bluntly said he did not want the nom
nation.
Since then some Of Col. Toms" ad
visers have urged him not to give
dollar unless lie can safeguard hi
contributions and know that the sam
= will be used to benefit him. And ye,
: reluctant as he may be to enter til
= struggle, It is recognized that his pei
" sonal pride in making good shown
: at the polls will impel him sooner G
" later 10 do everything he can do, e!
:. pecially to make good contribution
;" Republicans sneer at his ability a
vote getter, and refer to the rae
: he made in 1902. At the same tim
r, his popularity with large class I
70 residents in the Second district
" unquestioned. He has lived thel
=. most Of his long life, has been a b
- factor in the wonderful deyelopmel
= of that section of the State, and
using his large wealth unostentitiou
ly, but effectively, for the benefit
rs his fellow.men. 1t Is said that he gay
Is away million dollars in twel,
W months not a long time ago. Some
a 1t went to aid churches and school
We anu solie VI IL Welt " his pour
nd lations, for whom he wished to G
he press his regard. But "Col. Tom"
N 4 very modest man, and he never {
IS lows one hand to know what the OF
er doeth; much less does he perm
: any one to herald his benefactions
4 the world ~
b Both Congressional candidates W
! be on an equality in some; featur
of the campaign. Neither of them
, an orator. and each will have to re
} much upon personal contact with t
h voters. There will, of course, be
abundance Of orators on both sid
, willing to go upon the stump and pie
D the cause of their respective parti
A Candidate Lakin cannot match Can
, date Davis in campaign contribution
y although, with his good prospects