Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-01-07
CLANS WILL GATHER
FOR THE LEGISLATURE
Biennial Session VIII Begin At
Charleston Wednesday of
Next Week.

| Charleston, w Va. Jan 3.--Prepar
ing for the oncoming session of the
state Legislature, a force Of men are
engaged this week. under the direc.
ton Of the Governors private secre-
tary In noyating the Senate cham
Der and the hail CT the House Of Dele
gates, for the use OF the members OF
the Legislature who VIII assemble
here for the biennial session begin
ming January II.
Before the end Of the present week
/ tie early birds" will commence to ar
rive at the capital, bringing with them
some Of the District leaders who viii
aver loqnaclously and soiennly that
they were responsible for the Novem-
Der landslide, following with request
that they be allowed to hibernate in
the city fer about a. days on the usual
per diem accorded 10 those who have
been faithful and diligent in their du-
ties.
Several good.natur contests are
| expected over the organization Of the
two Houses. There are several candi-
dates for the SIP akership. who, while
not active. are willing TO wea" the
mantle. while there will be sharp
encounter over the clerkship and the
post o. sergeant-at-arms. Because OF
the election contests in the Senate
thsre Is a scarcity Of patronage seek
ers in both parties All realize that
the real contest will be over the Sen
atorship.
Many Of the members Of the Legis-
! lature are expected to arrive in the
city toward the latter part of the
week, uncommitted to any candidate
fer any office and expecting to look
over the situation at close angle be-
fore he commits himself on any can
didate or question of Importance.
The Democratic caucus, looking TO-
ward the organization of the Two
branches Of the Legislature, will prob
ably be held on next Tuesday night
the day before the assembling OF the
! Legislature. Then it will be determin-
cd when the senatorial caucus Will be
held, fer the statue does lot require
the election If the Senator until Ian
uary "a.
While the organization of the two
houses Is the first question to be con
fronted by the Democrats, interest
/ generally is conferred in the senatorial
! contest, for the caucus which nomi-
rtafev the ,uprpgSnr NJ CanatOr Scott
will. by implication at least, name the
I party leader. The four active candi-
/ dates, Watson, McGraw, Chiffon and
Tierney, are expected here the latter
end of the week to take personal
charge of their campaigns. Besides
the array of active candidates there
are about ten other pro2inen, mem
! bers of the party who will remain in
] a receptive mood until the nominal
: ton is made.
The fact that VIM T. Chiffon is an
avowed candidate for the senatorial
toga, although he has made no formal
announcement is responsible largely
fer the belief that there will be a re-
ylval of the predicted warfare be-
tween the Chiffon and McGraw fac
lions and IL is predicted here that the
rivalry between the old leaders will
be more intense and interesting than
ever before. NIcGraw is already a
candidate and the clash between the
/ leaders is expected before the SEES.
sion is begun.
The friends of Clarence w Watson
who are preparing for the final dash
Il the pole, assert that their candi-
dat has maintained a lead which he
acquired in the beginning and that h
WIZ be successful. They aver that
the nomiree will be selected with re-
G,ard to the future of the party. and
that Watson, being free from the fac
tional fights within his party, can
unite the factions and place the party
IN fighting trim for the battle two
years hence. Watson is friendly with
| both McGraw and Chiffon and has as
sisted both without becoming enmesh.
ed in their feudal warfare.
The election of Watson, his friends
assert, viii be a defeat for the big
and little political bosses, but will be
triumph for that big element of the
party which has been overlooked in
the past by the bosses. but which b.
came active this year under the lead
ership Of Watson and achieved a Dem
ocratic victory for the first time in
years.
There is no doubt that the success SIS
OF Watson in the management of the
last campaign has made him strong
contender. While he has not been
considered leader as long as Others
in the party, yet it was under his
guidance and direction that the frs
: Democratic victory in almost score
cf years, was achieved.