Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-27
FACTIONS HAVE CLASH
CONTEST OVER EMPTY HONOR
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO Inc Staf
CHARLESTON, w. Va, January 90
The McGraw and Chiffon factions Of the
West Virginia democracy have met and
clashed for the empty honor of United
States senatorial nomination, which was
finally given to a dark horse, John ]. Corn
well. The late candidate for governor was
seized upon for the complimentary vote
Of the party's representation in the legis-
lature to oppose Senator Elkins after the
caucus had deadlocked as between John T.
McGraw and w. e. Chiffon. Inasmuch as
McGraw could not get that which he got
on three previous occasions, the Chiltonites
say he has been dethroned. But as Corn
well has been McGraw's right bower there
Is consolation for the disconsolate all
around.
Tho upshot Of the long-continued split
is hard to foretell. The tight is to be re-
newed next year In contest to depose
NcGraw from the national committee. and
Chiffon win 80 after that place. Again
Cornwell might be lugged in and win out
II he had ambitions in that direction, but
nearly all tho political honors that have
come to him have not been of his seeking
The rank and file are heartily sick of
the pickering in view OF the steady re-
publican gains In the state. and they do
not take the enjoyment out Of the row
their leaders apparently do.
Demand Tor New Moses.
The democrats who are not in Office and
who have not yet given up all hope. would
IKE to sec a new Moses, although at the
same time entertaining the kindliest Of
feelings toward both McGraw and Chiffon.
They would be disposed to honor either
Of the two rival leaders If there was pie
worth eating to be passed around put they
dnued strife over nothing more substantial
than sentimental honOrs.
The new Moses is not in sight. Corn
well is sufficiently popular. but his health
underwent strain in his gubernatortal
canvass, which he would not risk in the
necessary endeavor to pilot the minority
through stormy sea- Nothing has de-
cate that that body embraces magnetic.
rugged character suitable. Jake Fisher
and Adam Littlepage. the two most con-
spicuous members of the senate at this
representatives of McGraw and Chiffon in
the senatorial caucus, and typify two rival
ambitions. Nor has the session produced
in the house the kind of young democrat
required
Inasmuch as conditions generally pre-
vailing in West Virginia hold out no
rainbows for the democracy. they may be
pardoned for enjoying the diversion of
Kilkenny scrap over shells and husks.
Their majorities In conceded democratic
counties are being steadily reduced. while
no Iepublican county Is going back. 1t
has become a saying that when the repubH
cans want ocapture new county they
have only to open q coal mine or sink an
OIL veell in its midst. The democrats retort
that the influx Of foreign and negro labor
turns the trick. As a matter of fact how
ever. the republican strength has been in
creased by American white voters from
Pennsylvania and Ohio who have come into
the state with its Industrial development.
- Democrats Are Hopping.
: The Topping Of democrats to the dominant
party continues to be another cause. and
the most notable example Of Late has been
on Q wholesale scale. Half Of the demo
cratic party In Mingo county has gone over
to the republicans in q body. including the
county clerk the circuit court clerk and
other officials who were elected on the
democratic ticket In 1904 They went over
because Of q factional fight with the Will
hanson clan. which had dominated demo-
cratic politics In the county for years. Re-
publican politicians are inclined to fear
trouble In the future from the newcomers.
because Of their strenuosity as democratic
politicians. experiences since 1885 having
been featured by former democrats cutting