The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1910-12-03
WATSON LEAgS
(cOntInued Erom page ID

wise. should not be underestimate.
Nor do believe that any undervalu-
alton is being placed upon 1t by Nc
GRAVY. He knows what he is up
against. and he will no doubt not
neglect regard for its strength while
he is seeking to find out its weak
places.
Thus far, there are but three
avowed candidates for the senator
ship. namely. Watson. McGraw and
Tierney, the coal operator in the
southern part of the state There are
many MENTIONED too many, in fact,
TO record with patience, as most OF
them will cut no more figure than a
small boy at a husking when voting
time rolls round. The contest, as ii
lines up now, is unquestionably he
tween Watson and McGraw- The fu-
Iture may change this aspect, but that
is the way it stands now. Cornwell
and Davis are talked about, but, IL
the combination holds fast, Davis
Will not be candidate. He is under
ca mpaign obligations to Watson not
to be. according to story that has
come to me, which I consider from a
most reliable source.
Watson saw to the financing of Da-
Nis's campaign, according 70 this
lstory, upon the explicit promise from
Mr.. Davis that he would not be
lcandidate in the event that the Dem
ocrats carried the legislature. Very
LIKELY, Davis like everybody else, ex-
cept the generous-giving Watson and
a mighty few others, didn't believe his
party had a ghost of a chance to win
the legislature and. hence, he could
agree to the proposition with great
equanImity Of mind. Besides. Davis
is safely in a seat in Congress and his
party might, and, it is believed. very
likely would. lose that trophy should
he relinquish it.
Tt must be admitted that Watson
was not so very we'll known to West
Virginians when his party turned up
with a legislature, and he is suddenly
and unexpectedly to the general pub
lie. turned up with a very substantial
following among the lawmakers-elect.
Therefore, it was very natural for
BIinks to ask his neighbor BLANK,
who is this fellow watson ," In
answer to that query universally go
ing the rounds Watson received much
discussion, and the newspapers hear
ing the query have been answering
it more or less satisfactory to meet
the demand of the curious. Thus, is
the reason why Watson is more talked
of than McGraw and the others. per-
haps. Their personalities, their ca
reers in private and public life, are
known from end to end by the pub
lie, while little. If anything, was
known of the Watson personality 9TH
er than he was known to be at the
head of one of the states greatest
that the watson candidacy for the
.sena torship has assumed such large
proportions, the inquiry of the peo-
pie as TO what matter of man ne is.
is but natural. and a little specific in
+ for nation Of personal nature IS
timely. What has been given in the
press OF his party looks to me to
have been prejudiced either for or
against him, and ! believe that the
reading public will appreciate a
gprief estimate of the man from a dis
interested party, and rom one whose
political sympathies are neither with
him nor the party to which he be-
longs
There are those doubtless who as
| sociate with Watson only his remark
able success as coal operator, and
who see in his candidacy only the as
piration of wealthy man to get a
seat in the Senate without special
I qualifications for the place. Those
| who know Clarence Watson even cas-
| uallys know how unfair this concep-
! ton is. Watson is not only successful
in his business, but he has culture
| education and ability which fit him to
make capable representative of the
! people of the state in the Senate. on
1 the questions that come before that
/ body relating to ansportation. ship
| ping. the great problems of interstate
I commerce, involving the distribution
I OF manufactures, food and other prod
I ucts. he ought TO have, and probably
has as Intelligent conception as any
man in the state. He is an adept in
business and affairs, is a thinker