The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-19
SILENT BOSS FOR CHAIRMAN
CHECK BOOK WRITING QUAIL,
FIcATioN NAY BE RE-
WAROED.
Watson as Head Of Democratic
National Committee Could stiH
Keep In Politics.
III CAL r. YOUNG.
In.onigsnosr Bureau.


ent OF the vest Virginia democracy
TO be chairman OF the national Dem
ocratic committee, This is the ex-
pressed wish OF some OF the Southern
senators who were dined and wined
at the palatial home OF Clarence W.
Watson. the coal baron senator, at
Fairmont Saturday.
IL is reasonable to ask whether
the Democrats nave not already seen
the hand wr!ting-the utter impos-
sfbility of the Democrats 10 elect a
legislature that could send Watson or
any other Democrat TO the United
stats senate two years hence. There
Is no doubt but that tho man who
financed the recent Democratic cam
paign and furnished the sinues that
made possible the election of the
Gold Dust Twins over the generally
accepted popular will of the rank and
file of the Democrats of the state.
would like to remain in the political
game even though IL has proven very
expensive. And like a certain SEN
ator who received the famous mes
sage Jump Bob. Dick" likes TO be
on the winning side.
Watson Qualifications.
That Clarence W. Watson would
make a good man to head the ma
tional Democratic committee will be
admitted by most persons regardless
OF political affiliations. for II is be
lieved 10 be n good idea to have a
man at the head of such a committee
whose time can be taken up in writ
ing checks rather than making public
rfsf N.ln
too. it must be borne in mind that
West Virginia is 10 help Tammany
IN her plans. and also. that West
Virginia is looked upon by many
forcasters as one OF the states on
which the success OF either party
will depend in the presidential cleo
ton. Tammany has figured out that
as West Virginia goes so will 20 the
presidency OF the nation. II can be
seen, therefore. that Tammany would
like 10 have man at the head OF
the national Democratic committee
who would not mind spending a few
thousand simoleums to carry his
state, and since they figure West
Virginia as the axis around which
success revolves. It is natural Old
Tammany would like to see Watson
suppiant man from even its own
state.
And is II not a good way TO avoid
rejection AZ the hands OF ones con-
stituents. What senator would re-
sign Il seat In the United States SEN
ate to become chairman OF the ma
tional committee OF his party?
Does anyone believe Watson would
for moment consider the chairman
ship OF the national Democratic com
mittee II he could succeed himself
in the senate OF the United States
Most assuredly not. And who were
the West Virginians that attended
the much advertised and heralded
dinner at the Watson farm? Were
they not tho men whom the Dem
ocrats OF the state have looked upon
as representatives Of the interests OF
| tho Democratic party. or were they
almost without exception the men
who went to the rescue OF Watson
in the nick OF time 10 save him from
defeat at the hands OF John T. Nc
Graw. for nearly a score OF years the
leader OF Democracy. II the leading
Democrats OF West Virginia will not
accept the hospitality OF one Of their
United States senators. what must
the feeling be down through the rank
and file OF that party. and does IT
not bear out the claims OF a great
army OF Democrats, and the Repub
leans, that the election OF Watson and
/ Chiffon through their coalition was
a rebuke Of the wishes Of those who
expect some sort OF honesty and fair
ness within party Conspicuous
. by their absence az the Watson feast
were such men as Senator Chiffon
Watson's colleague. Hon. John ]
NcGraw. OF WatsOn's neighborinr
county. and the leader Of the Dem
oCratic hosts for nearly a score OF
years. Judge ". Campbell. chair
man 81 the judiciary committee OF
the house. who repeatedly on tho
floor OF the house denounced the
tactics 81 the Democrats in repudi
ating tho wishes OF their constitu.
euts. Senators Bland Fisher and n
number ~ others. recognized leaders
aud mon who are looked upon as
standing for tho best within their
party
Like many others. Watson must
have read The Handwriting on the
wall. and in order 20 avoid defeat.
eliminates himself from the soma
tOriai race 10 succeed himself be
fore no has spent six months o. his
maiden appearance In the United
States senate