Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-08-07
The State Ticket.
The Democratic State Con-
ventiOn a Big Affair
FORM.
a STRONG TICKET ON A GOOD PLAT

AS we went to press last week the
State convention vas in its height and
did not get through and adjourn until
Friday morning.
The convention wa called to order
by State chairman, Col. John L Me-
Graw, who made most felicitous
speech introducing the Hon. William
4. Chiffon as temporary chairman. Mr..
Chiffon responded with a most excel
lent speech which YVES received with
great applause, His remarks about
Col. McGraw were especially well re-
ceiyed. He said that he had no grudge
against McGraw for what was done at
the Denver convention, that McGraw
had done nothing that he would not
have done had he had the opportunity
The convention went wild at this
and called for McGraw who came
forward and made another con-
ciliatory speech. Mr.. II. Z. Horner,
editor of the Parkersburg Sentinel was
made temporary secretary.
The members of the various commit
tees were then reported and the con-
vention adjourned until eight o'clock.
The following new state Committee
was reported:
/. w. W. Beall, of Brooke county,.
2. J. j. Slipuer, Of Marshall.
3. Joseph NJ. Murphy, of Wood,
4. j. H. DePue, of Roane.
5. George =. Wallace, OF Cabell.
s. w. H. Stokes, of Mcdowell.
I. w. III. Sawyers, of Summers.
8. w. A. MacCorkle.
8. g. w Osenton, If Fayette-
10. s. A. Hayes, of Gilmer.
IL. G. l.. Shaffer, of Marion.
II. j. Carl Vance, of Harrison.
ID M. 81. Smith, OF Randolph.
IA. II. b. DAVIS, of Mineral.
Is. J ohm j. Cornwell, of Hampshire.
Wien the convention rrassvuoi~d
at the evening session the Hon.
John H. Holt, of Cabell county
was made permanent chairman, r. h..
Homer secretary and A. p. Garden,
Sergeant at Arms.
The committees all reported .but it
was nearly three O'Clock before the
convention got down to votingsfor gov
erner There were three candidates
put in nominations; viz: Hon. Lewis
Bennett, Of Lewis county, Hon. Adam
Littlepage, of Kanawha, and Hen.
Thomas Hodges, of Monopgalla.
From the beginning.it seemed plain
that Bennett was long, wayj in the
lead and the first ballot proved tie
correctness of the views of his leaders
Bennett was nominated by q decisive
vote and twas on mstion of sex-Gov :.
IA. MacCorkle made unanimous.
The convention then adjourned un-
Til ii o'clock, Thursday.
When the delegates assembled at
the appointed time the gubernatorial
candidates was CHILLED for and made a
strong and eloquent speech accepting
the nomination and Messrs. Hodge
and Littlepage both made felicitious
speeches pledgIng their support to the
nominee.
The matter which excited the most
interest was the planks in the plat
form recommending The disfranchise-
ment o. the negroes and providing for
separate railroad coaches for the
races. This matter brought forth a
nearnest plea from the leaders of many
sections of the state who claimed that
in their localities the negro has begun
to learn that his~best interest lay In
voting the demscfatic ticket and that
such plank would be.lequivalent 10
saying that we do not want him, but
the trouble was that the negro has Pu t
of this im Pertant m alter, That he ha s
been voting the republican ticket with
such unanImity in. other sections OF
the state and been making himself SO
offensive at the time Of elections that
the democrats will no longer look on
in tolerance The tide rose SO high on the
subject that the objectors were swept
before the flood of sentiment and the
planks were inserted in the platform.
The ticket was completed on Thurs
day evening and night and in its for
nation there were some surprises as is
often the case.
The ticket completed is as follows:
Gsverner-Lewis Bennett, of Wes-
ton.
Auditor Oscar jenkins, of Parkers-
burg.
Treasurer. A. Miller, OF Wheel
ing.
Attorney Gsnersl-E. S. Morton, Of
Webster Springs.
Superintendent of Schools Ira b