Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-06-27
DEMOCRATS ARE IN THE AIR
Whole Trouble Reyolyes Around
Chiffon McGraw Feud.
WHICH is CHOICE OF BRyAN2
Claims Made BY Both Factions For
Place on the Democratic National
Committee.

Charleston, June 20.-Hon George
|. Neal, o. Huntington, and Griff
Smith, OF Point Pleasant, have been
in the city. The former is the cam
paign manager of Hon. Lewis Bennett,
one OF the democratic candidates for
governor, and opponent of Senator
Adam Littlepage, OF Charleston, The
Huntington attorney, considered one
OF the brightest political minds in the
state, was exultant when he learned
that Bennett had carried Gilmer coun-
ty with instructions over Prof. Thos.
z. Hodges, although GiImer was not
thought to be a hotbed for Hodges
sentiment.
The two democrats were here for
the purpose of making arrangements
for the special car that is to carry the
delegation from the southern section
OF the state to the Denver national
convention. Neal is one OF the dele
gates at large from West Virginia and
owing to his prominence as the man.
ager of Benefits campaign his course
in the fight between McGraw and
Chiffon for national committeeman, is
being watched with interest.
Notwithstanding the claim of Col.
McGraw that Chiffon will never Dc
elected national committeeman, the
Charleston leader is making the most
of the boost Willis Abbott gave him
for chairman of the national commit
tee in the event of his selection as a
member of the committee from this
state. A special dispatch from
Clarhsburg, presumably, lauds the ac-
ton of Chiffon and gives him all the
credit for the Bryan instructions in
this state. The dispatch states that
the success OF Chiffon in having West
Virginia declare for Bryan against the
combined forces Of Henry G. Davis,
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad,
Standard Oil, Fairmont Coal Co., the
Harmon, Gray and Johnson interests,
and the Sheehan, Parker and Ryan
combination from New York, all of
whom were active against the Peer
less, has attracted attention all over
the country.
The dispatch from Clarksburg,
which is said to be from the virile
hand of press agent near home, does
not mention the name of Col. McGraw,
the present national committeeman,
whom Chiffon must whip before he is
a member of the committee. The Graf
ton leader is ignored entirely and yet
he is the only man in the state who
fought with Chiffon for the control OF
the state democracy at the Wheeling
convention
Both Chiffon and McGraw claim
they will have the support and in
fiuence of Neal at the Denver con-
vention. His position is delicate one
owing to his connection with the Ben
EFT candidacy. Chiffon is against Ben
nett and instructed the local delega
ton to vote for Senator Littlepage.
However, this support was given to
the senator as compliment and the
Chiffon influence can be depended
upon to turn the vote in any direction
they may desire. If Neal supports
Chiffon he is making him the leader
of West Virginia democracy. worth
100 votes n the convention at any
time, while if he supports McGraw
his vote will be cast for the man who
is supporting his own choice for the
gubernatorial nomination. Those who
figure on such situations say Neal win
not risk the nomination of Bennett
and his own future in any such man
ner.
How Bryan stands in the contest be.
tween McGraw and Chiffon is a mat.
ter OF much moment at this time.
Willis ]. Abbott, the Chiffon booster,
is closely identified with the Nebrakan
but the friends of McGraw say tina,
his utterances are not depended upon
because McGraw has aroused his an
tipathy by ignoring him on several oc-
casions. They point to the fact that
Col. McGraw has always been the
personal friend of Bryan and has as.
sisted him even in the politics Of his
own state Of Nebraska and they can
not conceive how the Nebraskan could
be guilty of ingratitude. It is even
pointed out that McGraw resigned as
attorney for the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad because he persisted in Civ
ing Bryan his hearty support against
the wishes of his employers, and then
they ask persistently what sacrifices
Mr.. Chiffon ever made for the Ne
braslcan "even though he fought the
dreaded corporate interests in order
to secure instructions for Bryan"
AlthOugh the MeCSraw adhprants