The Washington herald., 1908-07-29
DEMOCRATS READY
In WEST VIRGINIA
State Convention Opens in
Charleston To-day.
BRYAN MEETING IS HELD
Candidates for Governor Each Tries
10 Make Best Speech in Hope Of
StampedinE DeIegates-NO Change
in Complexion of Sentiment, Ben
nett stiu Looking 20 BE Winner

Special 70 The Washington Herald
Charleston ". Va. July .. The
Hodges and Littlepage people fred their
last bolt tonight, when they pulled OF
their Bryan ratification meeting
During the afternoon they scattered
hand bills stating that the meeting would
be held in front Of the Hotel Kanawha.
and that il would be addressed by all
candidates for governor. They figured
that Hodges and Littlepage would show
so superior 20 Bennett as public speak
ers that many Bennett delegates would
be weaned away from him Among thcm-
selves the Hodges people had II ngIred
out that Hodges would also prove supe-
rior 10 LiJtlePage. and that possibly a
stampede would result in the direction Of
the professor
The meeting came OF as scheduled.
with an immense crowd present. As the
Hodges people expected. their man made
the best speech. a scholarly, masterfuI ef-
fort, eulogizing Bryan and avoiding state
issues. which created much enthusiasm.
Lituepage made creditable speech, but
TOO much was devoted 10 LittIepage aad
TOO little 10 Bryan.
Bennett Speaks Well
Bennett. last OF the trio TO speak. did
not prove himself an orator. but he made
q sensible. straightforward talk that
showed him 20 be a better stumper than
had been supposed While Hodges out
shone the other candidates. his superiority
was not 50 great as 10 cause any defec-
ton among Bennert's delegates There
fore, there is no reason 10 change the
prediction that he VIII be nominated to-
morr0w on the first ballot
Still Hodges has gained wonderfully.
and may be second man on roll call L
Is conceded that II be had made an active
campaign from the outset he would have
had an equal show with Bennett. Il Is
Hodges the Bennett men fear, not Little
page
Il was a night Of demonstration in
Charleston Previous 20 the Bryan meet
ing there was "a Littl7paEe parade Little
pages hackers said 800 miners would be
here 10 parade Tor him he had two brass
bands out and probably 90 men in his
parade. He says now a big crowd VIII
be out for him ro-m0rrOw before the con-
vention meets After the parade the
Bryan meeting was pulled of
other Men Speak.
Then c W Osenton. George Byrne. and
ether speIItinders told what they thought
The meeting continued uatu Il o'clock
Gov NacCorkIe viii nominate Little
page tomorrow W W Branuon. OF
Lewis, VIII nominate Bennett. and John
" Davis. of Harrison. VIII nominate
Hodges Upon Davis eIoquence depends
Hodges fate II is noticeabIs. however.
tat delegates are disposed TO stand solid
Ig-by Instructions. which means Bennett's
election
Il is settled definitely that McGraw viii
not be reelected state chairman. He
gave out an Official statement tonight. in
which he said be would not accent re-
election T. he could get IL. and wanted 70
see some other man The other man VIII
b Neal unless he is in good faith IN
his refusal 90 accept 81. In that event Il
may be ". T. Chiffon.
Committee Not Busy
The state committee had bus little I'm
portant work tonight. .here having been
no contests. but nearly all the members
were present
Expecting great support from the 'min-
ing district OF the state. both in the
lower and upper ends. Senator Adam Lit
tIepage expects 10 land the nomination
He is from Eanawla County. where he
IS being given united support, and TIE
Chiltons are with him. 10 al intents and
purposes
Col John T. 2IcGraw is for Lewis Ben
nett. OF Lewis County, and IS working
ardentIy for his nomination. which now
seems 10 be among the c=rtainties, al
though Judge David Z Johnson, Of AIer-
Ger County. has grown in strength during
the past few hours
The 1IcGraw slate includes. for secre-
tarv Of State. Gen. James A. Houey. GoE
mayor Of Charleston. but his selection
VIII be opposed by the Chiffon support
coutendi1g that the nomination OF the
general viii mean the immediate defeat
Of Littlepage-
Convention Meets To-day
The convention viii assemble to-uor-
row afternoon at o'clock. and it is ex-
pected 20 dispose OF the gUbernatoria-
nomination within short time
There is not much chance for the Chill
tons and Col 1IcGraw 10 arrive at or
agreement and the fight will go through
: for the entire slate. as arranged by each
side II VIII be the upper end Of I'll.
State against the lower end. and the con
test viii be OF exceptional interest
On this evenings trains about $50 men
arrived. a large number Of whom are
delegates. and their arrival was the
source OF much interest All the old wal
horses Of democracy are here and the
hotels are crowded The visitors mum
Der almost as many as did those here
for the Republican convention two weeks
ago.
Developments this evening have not
changed the complexion Of things in the
least and il stiU looks like Bennett vii
get the nomination Il not on the first
not later than on the second ballot He
apparently has the best organization and
the aspirants for the other Offices are
keeping out Of the fight until the ar
rival Of an assumed agreement between
3IcGraW anG the ChiltOns- They VII not
engage themselves in the fight until The
convention is II progress. II then. and
only then in personal behalf