Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-01-21
SENATORIAL RACE
IS At FEVER HEAT
Democrats viii Hold Their Caucus on
"Wednesday Nisht--Watson
Making Claims.

Charleston. w. va, Jan. 16.--Unless
plans formulated By the democrats
miscarry two United States SENATOR
al candidates will be selected In eau
Gus next Wednesday night
| Sunday was a day OF courtesy calls
by one candidate on another. The Wis
its, naturally. gave rise to much specu
lation, but assurances were promptly
forthcoming that the exchanges pos.
sessed no political significance, being
| prompted soiely by ethical or social
considerations.
One of the reports to which The Wis
its gave rise was that the Cornwen
forces had been delivered to Clarence
w Watson. There was cheer in the
| Watson camp. and tightening of
| lines In the others that showed plainly
that the candidates are preparing for
the last lap In the race. Mr.. Corn
well is supposed to control dozen or
50 votes. Whether he has them in
shape TO hand over to Mr.. Watson is
a question to which definite answer
seems To be wanting.
Col. John T. McGraw was the man
who called upon the ether candidates.
He is the visitor here. w. E. Chiffon
called upon him several days ago as
did Mr.. Watson, and Mr. McGnaw says
he simply returned these calls.
Nevertheless, there was much con
ferring. Mr.. McGraw, who Is dispos-
ed to sit tight" and Colonel Tiernsy
have their headquarters in one of the
hotels here. Colonel Tierney, too, de-
clares that he thinks he has enough
votes to give him a chance. The Tier
lney men maintain waiting attitude
and are of the opinion that the caucus
Wednesday evening will last until the
speakers are too tired to talk more,
and viii then adjourn until the next
day.
The Chiffon men are as confident
as he is that he will get the long
term. This, according to some of the
wise men so plentiful here, is so GER
tain that enc man is reported to have
offered to bet $1,000. AS far as known
he still holds the money. The Chiffon
adherants were rushing, and ell day
he received delegations singly and in
groups.
Mr.. Watson came to Charleston
with a force Of able lieutelants. The
game of politics may be new TO him.
but he knows how to organize. and he
certainly has staff large enough teoI
cover the ground we'll He is con-
stantly on the field, comforting with
his aids. directing. suggesting and get
ting pointers. His me1 make them
selves agreeable. and he appears to be
gaining friends OF course, his real
strength is an unknown quantity.
Neither can it be definitely ascertain
ed whether the rumored Cornweli re-
port will materialize.
The situation Is complicated Ly the
death of Senator j. C. Patten If
Democrat Is returned at the special
election Tuesday, 10 votes will be
needed to decide the Senatorship. III
a Republican is chosen. only 80 will
decide the issue.
Charleston has seldom entertained
such crowds. 1t Is a matter of diploma
cy, hard work and influence to get In
to a hotel. Visitors are sleeping two
in a bed in many rooms. No: many
of the legislators went away over Sun
day.
The new Senator. Davis Elkins. who
got the toga of his late fathe". was
here all day. 1t is a gathering OF the
clans in reality. Young Elkins is not
in the fight. but he would like a com
.plimentary vote for that short term.