Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-18
INDULGE IN CRITICISM
DEMOCRATS IN WEST VIRGINIA
AT WAR WITH LEADERS.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special dispatch 10 Inc Sthr.
WHEELING, w. Va. November H.
The first democrat in West Virginia to Of
fer criticisms on his party's leadership is
George Byrne. the defeated candidate for
Congress in the third district, and he gives
voice to views that have been held by evil
IDENTIFY no mean number Of the rank and
file. Mr.. Byrne asserts that the democracy
can never hope to regain its lost ground in
this state until il chooses leaders who will
have the acumen to originate or seize
issues, and to courageously advance them,
instead of following go-easy plan OF
campaign
Mr. Byrne practices what he breaches.
He was the first candidate in the field. and
he fought until the last vote was count
ed He really did well, considering the
general results. In trying to beat Repre-
sentative Gaines. personally most popu-
lar man, and concededly one of the fore
most republican leaders, Byrne tackled an
uphill job at best. But he went at 1t in
a way that attracted admiration from
both sides of the battle line.
Mr.. Byrne mentions no names, hence no
personal offense can be taken He halls
from the county of kanawha. where his
party's organization is dominated by ex-
Gov. w. A. MacCOrkle and ex-Secretary of
State w. F.. Chiffon, and the latter's
brother, Major Joseph Chiffon. This So
called MacCorkle-Chilton wing is opposed
TO the leadership of John T. McGraw, who
is both state chairman and national COM
mitteeman. The MacCorkle-Chilton clan
McGraw and his followers have been con-
slant followers of the Bryan flag.
Inclines to McGraw.
Byrne is inclined to the McGraw per-
suasion, which has not been of service
TO him with his partys ruling powers in
Kanawha county. 1t is possible he is dig
nifying republican insinuations in his
criticisms He may be taking a fall out
OF the decentralization people for their
alleged failure to be active in his own
case. II is a more charitable and correct
conclusion that he is swinging his broad
sword right and left Byrne is merely
duplicating what was said just prior to
the opening of the campaign by Wait H.
county who declared that until the demo-
Gratis quit camping on the republican trail
they might as well shut up shop.
And o. s. Mckinney. hOnored many
times with nominations by the democrats
also of Marion county. and sharing with
McGraw in the prestige of leadership, a
full year ago averred that the democrats
of West Virginia had tired of marching
to the same old funeral dirge and sighed
for lively GnekSteP Which ma %as Men
Graw supplanted by man who could
do things
Reasons for Disaffection.
Democrats have reason for dssatisfac-
ton and disappointment. Complete returns
show that West Virginia's republican vote
made great gains compared with other
states Proportionately these gains were in
excess of the presidential election two
years ago. The majority given to Sturgiss
for Congress In the second district sur
passed any majority ever given to Dayton,
his republican predecessor. in any election.
This is the more striking because the DEM
ocrats won II last year in a special cleo
ton. And Notwithstanding 1t was in an of
year the republicans gained control of the
legislature by exactly the same joint bal
lot majority they got in 1904.
One trouble the democrats have suffered
from is the lack of sympathy held by their
high moguls with the type of democracy
preached by Bryan and Hearst. The class
of leaders are notsradical, though the rank
and file may be inclined on national
questions On the absorbing issue of state
taxation the democratic masses followed
an unpopular path because the leaders
seemed TO think II was necessary to oppose
the policy Of the dominant republican party.