Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-01-26
WATSON AND CHIFFON ELECTED.

Ala Joint session OF the two houses OF
the West Virginia Legislature in Charles
ton yesterday VIM. E. Chiffon was elect
ed to the United States Senate for the
long term, succeeding Senator Scott, and
Clarence W. Watson was chosen for the
short term, made vacant by the death
of Senator Elkins. Chiffon got II votes
and Watson 10.
A sensation was created IN the Leg
islatlme on Tuesday, when Delegate Mel
son Hubbard, Democrat, of Wheeling,
openly charged that Watson'S nomination
had been brought about by bribery. He
said that his information was not in the
shape OF evidence, but he expressed his
firm conviction that the nomination was
literally bought, and said that the charac-
ter of some OF the members OF the Leg
islature had been changed by the flnan-
cial power of the candidate.
Yesterday Senator Bland set OFF anoth-
er bomb when he declared that one man
had told him that he had received ST GOO
to vote for the Chiffon Watson combina-
ton in the caucus. L. ]. Shock, OF Brax-
ton county, was the person to whom he
referred. His statement is as follows:
al. ]. Shock states that one Hamrick,
OF Clay county, between | and 2 O'Clock
on the 18th day of January, 1911, came
to me in the Washington Hotel, Charles
ton, and gave me 81 900 in bills and agreed
to pay me $1,000 additional if | would
vote for Chiffon and Watson for United
States Senator and for any motions Gov.
MacCorkle and their friends might make
in connection with the election OF United
States Senators.
81 have the 81 900 in $40 bills now in
my possession. Several days prior to
this date man from Clarksburg by the
name of Supler, whom never saw before,
was the first one who came TO me and
wanted me to vote for Chiffon and Wat
son if they would put up the money, and
wanted me to name the amount would
demand. told him they could fix the
amount up. had told Judge Bennett
and others about the offer and was ad-
vised to follow ii up and see what they
would do.
CATER this interview with Supler was
next approached by Hamrick, who came
up to my boarding house and asked me
10 walk out with him. We talked about
the senatorship. Don't know what all
he SAID, but he told me:
Now, on the links, we are both Odd
Fellows
"'All right said, what is it ?
"'You are hard up, he said, 'and you
can get something out OF this. They have
the money
"'All right said, how much of a
nice thing would it be p
"You could get 81 ,00O, he said.
"'You must think am d-n cheap
guy | said.
"T'll tell you, can guarantee you 81
500
"'Whatwill you pay down in advance?
elbow much would you want doWn?'
"'As far as am concerned, if you peo-
pie would not trust me, wouldn't trust
you
"And he said they would pay me 81 900
id advance. Then if | stood up for Chill
ton and Watson, they would put the 9TH
er 81 500. That was last night. lagreed
to see them today and did so and got the
money. He said not to let soul on earth
know about it. II would ruin us both.
He said Sam Stephenson was furnishing
the money"
Stevenson, Supler and Hamrlck all de-
MED having any connection with the
scheme, and Messrs. Chiffon aid Watson
say they viii! court an investigation. Mr..
Watson says that if it can be proved that
any improper influence was used in his
behalf he will not accept the senatorship.