The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1911-03-02

John 7. McGraw, the impulsiye
stateman OF Taylor county. who
never does things by halves, and in
this case he lavished upon his
friend comwell favors in no stinted
measure. He financed his cam
paigns and secured his election 70
various offices. and six years ago, by
"a supreme effort, he secured for him
the nomination OF his party for the
high Office OF governor; and this at
a time when prospects for the sue,
cess OF the party shone brightly. IN
order not to handicap his friend in
the race. Col. McGraw was led TO
oppose the nomination OF another
friend who sought place on the
ticket, because the questionable
character OF his employment made
him weak before the people. The
colonel lost the friendship of this
man as a matter OF course, but he
conferred another benefit upon Corn
well, whom he delighted to honor.
Although he could Ill afford to do
so, Colonel McGraw paid out of his
own means practically al of the
Legitimate expenses of the campaign
for his friend, throughout the en-
tire state-no small outlay, we may
readily surmise. Success almost
achieved was the verdict upon his
splendid efforts.
The prominence and success
gained by Cornwell frem the labor
and sacrifice of McGraw placed him
in position to secure any reason
able honor from his party. He was
seriously considered for the United
States sehatorship. .@
For all this, what reward was
reaped by colonel McGraw? We
think your answer Is, lat least the
lifelong friendship and eternal graf
litude Of Cornwall" That answer is
not unexpected, but it flows from a
belief in the Golden Rule, not the
Rule OF Cold. We are compelled to
answer our own question differently.
For sixteen years preceding the
year 1910, Col. McGraw almost
single handed, fought the battles OF
the Democratic party in The state.
He gave his time. his means, his
brains, his diligent heart-service, 10
the cause OF his party. He never
faltered, not even when success
seemed too remote to form the fab
ric OF dream.
AT last, from repeated efforts and
great sacrifices, in the year 1910,
came success. Patient service and
continued toll gained triumph for
the Democratic party. 1t was not
unknown that Colonel McGraw
cherished as lifelong ambition an
opportunity to serve his stale and
country in the Senate of the United
States.
The hour OF realization of this
heart-hope struck, when the result
of the election OF 1910 was flashed
over the state.
Col. McGraw stood out pre-emi-
nently the choice of his party for
that high honor. More than ninety
out OF every hundred Democrats in
the state favored his selection. He
was fairly and desevedly the choice
of his people, and by their votes
they thought to confer tina; gift as
recognition of splendid worth and
long service upon him, the
First Man of his party in the state.
He should have received this gift
with the plaudits of all his fellow
Democrats. 1t was necessary to
stifie every sense Of justice and
prompting of gratitude to deny him.
But the days of Democratic graf
itude are dead. Corporate greed
with the brute force OF money cor
ruptiy debauched state and tore
the wreath of victory from the brow
of ;he man whose sixteen years OF
devotion to a party had fairly won
IT, The unhofly combination OF
everything that is evil in political
life crushed the aspiration Of life,
and robbed a man OF that which
was dearer than land or gold, and
which was righteously his own by
the Spontaneous gift OF his people
Coming from a part of the state
where his entire constituency earn
estly desired the election of Nc
Graw; and bearing upon him the
favors heaped high in past years, ny
this same man, JOHN j. CORN
WELL was found at Charleston.
Jealous in the service OF p!utocracy.
without gratitude, and devoid Of
shame. toiling TO deprive McGraw of