The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1911-02-17
U. S. SENATOR WATSON.
From an Humble Start He Built
Great Business.

Charleston. W pa.,--There have.
been few men in the history OF this
country who started public ca
reer under the same circumstances
as United States Senator Clarence
Wayland Watson. who, last Thurs
day. qualified TO ill the vacancy
created In the United States SEN
ate by the death OF Senator Steph-
en- d. Elkns.
II was the first public office ever
sought by Senator Watson. and the
victory he achieved was all the
more remarkable when II Is cousid-
cred that IL was won over such
wheel horses as National Committee
man John T. McGraw, Lewis Tay-
enner, John n. Holt aud Andrew
EdmIston, men who have been lead
ers IN the Democratic party for
score OF years
| Despite the repeated charge
that the interests were behind the
candidacy OF Watson, charge
which hsa been disputed from the
beginning by those who were tnti-
mate with his campaign. It Is
known that some Of the biggest in
tcrests In the state were opposed to
the candidacy of Watson. and lent
their aid to other candidates. II
Is openly asserted BY SOME that
among those who bolted the cau-
Gus nominee were a Standard OIL
Attorney and an attorney for the
Pennsylvania Railroad.
II it was true that these inter
ests were opposed 10 Watson his
victory coming at a time when he
was comparatively unknown to the
rank and file OF the Democracy out
side of his own district. is the more
remarkable. Watson friend with
due regard for their zeal, contend
that the new Senator was too big
for the special interests, and they
say that he will prove his indepen-
dence In the Senate.
1t is noteworthy that when the
new Senator qualified he stated
that he was going to represent the
people OF the state, Two years
hence he will be candidate for the
long term to succeed himself, and
he realizes that the future OF his
party will be determined largely by
his course in the United States
Senate, After March 4 next he will
share the responsibilities of party
leadership with the successor OF
Senator Nathan Bay Scott Senator
elect William r. Chiffon, and fouI
Democratic Congressman.
Senator Watson entered the Sen
ate Thursday with but little knowl
. edge Of statecraft. His life from
boyhood has been devoted to bus
mess. The coal industry he knows
thoroughly. From a humble be
= ginning he has built one OF tn,
largest coal producing companies
in America. In managing the bus
mess Of the big concern which hi
organized he also has become IA
: miliar with the transportation prob
lem, and there are probably few
Senators who have a more practi
cal knowledge of this subject thai
> the new Senator from West Virginia
During his busy career he has KEEP
himself well informed on public que
tons, and during his canvass TO
the senatorship he was compelled, I
give at mayn tipes his Views oil
" current Governmental problems.
During the next two years Sena
tor Watson will have to devott
y much time to the reorganization o
I, the party if he would succeed him
" self at the expiration OF his presen
term. The victory of last fall wa
won without the aid of a state or
ganization, but in the Presidential
election in 1912 there will be ney
conditions 49,.
= In order that he may devote hi
y whole time to his new public dutie
> much of the work in connection
with his management of his Goa
, producing interests which has fall
en- on Senator Watson in the past
:, now will have to shared by his as
= sociates 1t is expected that tn
y new Senator will choose at once a
" Secretary some Democrat who ha
- had experience in the affairs O
his party and who has a thoroug
y knowledge of the conditions tina
exist In the Panhandle State
II The charges of bribery pre-
dbrred against Senator Watson an