The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1906-08-23

As an aftermath of the Democratic
congressional convention held here
Wednesday, it is interesting to tell
how it was done.
The pretense is advanced that
they did not know beforehand whom
they would nominate, when in fact
there is every reason to believe there
was a slate and that General Riley
was one of a cotorie fixed upon by
John T. McGraw at a conference
at his Deer Park palace a week ago.
Ex-Mayor Sweeney would have suit
ed McGraw and there was a pre-
tense of insisting on his conserving
to take the honor, but he pre-emp-
torily refused. He would not stand
for it. But Riley! Well, Riley had
to make the sacrifice in order that
McGraw might retain his grip on
the Democratic party. He is close
to McGraw, indeed. his close friend,
and he did it purely for McGraw's
sake. In this connection as o +
roborative evidence it is only neces-
sary to state Mr.. Riley with becom-
ing modesty gave out a list of eligi-
bles and was careful to state that
he thought the nominee should be a
business man and not a lawyer like
himself. He also took the pains to
express his regret at not being able
to attend the convention.
While it is not believed McGraw
took the pains to tell Tom Hornor
he could not run. yet the word was
passed around, where it would be
kept on the quiet and needed to the
letter that Hornor must not receive
the nomination. And he didn't.
The McGraw combine did not want
-Hornor and it fixed it so he could
not get it. 1t is stated Marion
county stood ready to give Hornor
some votes until the McGraw
manipulators got their work in here
at noon the day of the convention.
Still another feature of the
innings before the hit was made is
of interest. A few weeks ago a
prominent Fairmont Democrat
promised here, so it is said, to in
sert an article in the Fairmont
Times boosting the candidacy of
John j. Davis for the nomination,
and keep the good work up through
the columns of that paper until
convention day in. order to focus
sentiments in favor of Mr.. Davis.
The article was to appear next day
after the Fairmonter's visit here,
but it never did appear, nor any
other advocating his candidacy.
Some one put a q%uietus on that
movement. And that Mr.. Davis
nominated Hornor in the convcn-
ton is probably a reason Marion
county lined up solidly against the
man Mr.. Davis nominated and re-
nominated.
There is every reason to believe
too that Hornor himself labored to
stampede the convention in imita-
ton of Bryan at the Chicago-conyen-
ton, when he won3he nomination
by a speech. But Hornor was not
wise in his selection. Democrats
may profess esteem and reverence
for Abraham Lincoln, but not
enough to enthuse them into nom
mating a man who eXtols the i'm
mortal emancipation.
The trick of the McGraw com
bine is said not to have revealed it
self to John J. Davis until after the
convention was over, when it was
too late, but. that did not prevent
his eyes swapping with Indignation,
and had he been aware of the SER
mont hand raised opuinst him he
would probably not have declined
to be a candidate and thereby hurl-
ed defiance at them.
.The local Democratic machine,
the trick has been played,
n SCI much twenty-threed, and
there's nothing doing with it 80 far
as elation over the results is con-
eerned. Little wonder it is there is
soreness.