The Washington herald., 1908-06-16
Chiffon AIDS BRYAN
Carries West Virginia for
the NebraSkan.
INTERESTS FAIL IN EFFORTS
Work of Former Secretary of State
of Commonwealth Attracts Atten-
tion Throughout the Country, and
Makes Him Available as Chairman
OF the Democratic Committee.
Special to The Washington Hornld

Special to The Washington Herald
Clarksburg, w. Va, June l5.-The re-
markable success Of William E. Chiffon,
of Charleston. w. Va, in securing the in
struction Of the West Virginia delegation
for Bryan against the combined forces OF
Henry g. Davis, Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road, Standard OIL. Fairmont Coal Com
pany, the Harmon, Gray, and Johnson. in
terests; Sheehan. Parker. and Ryan. of
New York. and nearly every large cor
poration in the State. has attracted the at
tention Of Bryan men all over the coun-
try. Mr.. Chilton's complete victory has
caused him 10 be regarded as one Of the
most available men in the Democratic
party for chaii.aan Of the national com
mittee.
The moral effect OF West Virginia in
structing for Bryan was dreaded by the
corporate interests opposed to Mr.. Bryan,
and an especial effort was made to pre-
vent Mr.. Chiffon from carrying out his
intention.
Fear Bryan's Election.
Both Republican and Democratic inter-
ests were enlisted to keep West Virginia
from sending a delegation for Bryan to
Denver, as these interests, being alike
hostile 20 Bryan, did not want him noml-
mated. lest he be elected
When word was sent out that William
Z. Chiffon, the most adroit politician in
the state. was for Bryan's nomination.
every effort was made to dissuade him
from his course. All the persuasive IN
fluence that could be brought TO bear was
exerted, even from New York and other
States
The power against Chiffon may be
imagined when It is realized that West
Virginia Is a greater corporation State
than New Jersey: that It is the second
producer Of coal and coke. natural gas
and oil in the Union, and the Baltimore
and Ohio, the Norfolk and Western, and
wabash Railroads and the Standard OIL
are very heavily interested, and between
them have for twelve years controlled
both parties in the State.
Rush for Band Wagon.
After a desperate fight, in which Chill
ton, openly Bryan man, fought this
great combination. Bryan delegation
was named. At the last minute. when
the interests" saw they were defeated,
they had their Democratic henchmen try
TO get on the Chiffon band wagon. This
eleventh-hour devotion to Mr.. Bryan does
not fool either him or his friends and
the accurate and minute report OF the
Chiffon organization shows who were
loyal and who were not. and the time and
the reason for the eleventh-hour climb
ing on Chilton's wagon is plainly seen.
William +. Chiffon is about fifty years
I'D, OF an old and distinguished Virginia
family on both his fathers and mothers
side. He was born and raised IN West
Virginia, and because of his age no sec
tlonalism can be charged against him.
He is a lawyer of marked ability and ex-
tenslve legal learning and. besides. is a
business man Of remarkable shrcwdness
and praCticability
He has been secretary OF state OF West
Virginia, and. despite attempts Of his po-
ltical opponents 90 cast reflections on the
administration with which he was con
nected, Republican investigation re-
suited IN Mr.. Chiffon being honorably ac-
quilted Of any personal connection with
any mismanagement Of subordinates with
which hypercritics sought 10 connect him.
The location Of Mr.. Chilton's State
makes his selection as chairman OF the
national committee particularly desirable.
He is neither a Northerner nor a South
erner. nor an fastener nor a Westerner.
but from near the center Of population.
and his selection cannot be charged 10
favoritism 10 either section.