Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-12-09
John n holt FOR mcGraw.

senatorial situation in West Virginia,
and in response to inquiries Mr.. Holt
IN ade the following statement;
"rhe victory Of the Democrats was
decisive although moi altogether unex-
pected, and it has given rise to quite
suirited contest over the senatorshlp.
A great many prominent and worthy
| Democrats in various parts OF the state
have been mentioned in this coonec-
ton. but so far az know there are ut
present inc but four active candidates
for the Office. w. e. Chiltoo, OF
| Charleston Clarence Watson, OF Fair
mont, Lawrence Tierney, OF MeDoweii
aud John 4. McGraw, of Grafton, as l
understand it are really applicants Tor
! the blaze; and there is nothing surpris-
| Ing in This, because all Of these gentle
men are strongly urged by their par
| ticnlar friends and admirers.
"The Republican leaders in the state
seem TO think that the whole Will re-
suit In Kilkenny fight, detrimental
| 10 Democratic success two years hence,
and they even go so far as to say that
/ the Denocr can be relied upon to
spoil:a splendid opportunity resulting
IN the return OF the Republicans to
power / hey seem 10 think that this
senatorial contest can be relied upon
to degenerate into factionsl fight, re-
sulting in some sore spots In every
county in driving the Republicans out
OF power; but 1t does not SO strike me.
The contest will be spirited, but will
| be good natured and 1t will be along
proper lines. Success Will be accepted
with modesty upon the one hand, and
defeat with good nature upon the
| other.
"Of course, the partisan friends OF
the particular gentlemen above men
toned may indulge in moro or less
criticism upon their opponents. Such
| il natural. But each must recognize
| the fact that he has in the other foe
man worthy OF his steel.
.'The Hon. w. E. Chiffon has long
been identified with the Democracy OF
the southern end of this state and bis
! friends are numerous lndeed. What
ever else may be said Of him, he al
ways has been and must be accounted
a good fighter, and when he was chair.
man of the executive committee in the
days when Governor McCorkle was
elected to the office of chief executive
of the state. he snccedeed in effecting
an organization that marked him as
good general and challenged the ad-
mlraton Of every one.
"Clarence Watson, Of Fairmont, II
a man not only Of affairs, hat Of intel
leet as well. But one thing must not
be lost sight Of in this contest, and
that is, whether he be defeated or be
successful on this occasion, 1t is not
the last that we will hear Of him / n
West Virginia politics.
Lawrence Tierney Is a coal Opera.
tor from the Pocahontas coal fields
and his business connections In that
community are doing much toward
the development of the southern enc
of the state. His Democracy also is O.
the true and tried character and ha'
always asserted itself regardless of con
sequen ees in the "biack belt" and BIZ
is accounted man not only of in
telligence, but of courage as well.
"Col. McGraw is likewise Demo
crat Of the old school, and has stood
by his party andlts principles through
good as well as through evil report
and his many battles III Its behalf hav,
endeared him perhaps more to thu
rank and file during the last fifteet
years than any other Democrat with
ia the borders of our state
80 far as l am personally cohcern
ed, and without intending IN venture
single criticism, fer | have none t,
make of the other gentlemen named
| l. MOulu lpIeItt ~ SSC tOleHCi nCbI df
go to the senate, for the following. rea
sons:
E First: Because during the past four
teen years, when our party within5th
state was struggling In hopeless mi
nority, without the hope or ex
!, pectation Of reward, year in an,
year out, when others deemed IL,
= discredited and the cause not worth
q the while. Colonel McGraw neve
faltered and never ceased to be active
Secondly: Because none i. bette
acquainted with the resources Of on
state than he, or knows better the ei
= feet that proper legislation woul
have upon their development, and
Thlrdly because he occupies sal
, middle ground between corporate pow
' / err mon the one hand and extreme Il.