The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-01-11
Legislature Convenes Today and
Spirited Fight is Promised
Seven Candidates in
the Field
SUCCEED SCOTT And flEINS
Democratic Victory in Fall Elections
Came as Surprise and Candidates
Entered the Fight on Short
Notice.

Charleston. w Va, Jan. 1.-THE
spirited contest among the Democratic
leaders OF West Virginia for the two
seats in the United States senate
promises to make the legislative ses-
sion which began here today one Of the
most interesting in many years. In
addition 10 choosing a successor to
Senator Nathan y. scott whose term
will expire next March, the legislature
is called upon to choose another SEN
ator to fiji the seat made vacant by
the recent death of Senator stephen B.
Ell<ins.
The interest is increased by the
vast amount of uncertainty that at
tends the results of the contests. The
Democratic victory in November was
something of surprise and the sena-
torial aspirants for Scotts seat were
Obliged to enter the race on short no
tice. with little time TO perfect their
organizations and plan their cam
paigns. The death of Senator Elkins
one week before the legislature con-
vened, making it necessary to elect two
senators instead of one, added to the
complications of the situation.
There are more than half a dozen
candidates for the togas and nearly
all of them are conducting active cam
paigns. With the organization of the
Legislature il is predicted that combn-
ations among the candidates are likely
to be effected and that eventually the
field will narrow down to three or four
entries.
The prominent candidates include
Clarence W. Watson, a wealthy Fair
mont coal operator; Colonel John T.
McGraw. for many years Democratic
national committeeman for West Vir-
ginia; John j. Cornwell, an editor OF
Romney; Colonel w. E. Chiffon of
Charleston: Lawrence Tierney. a coal
operator of Bluefeld, and Andrew Ed
miston of Weston. Judge Lewis Tav-
onner of Jarkersburg Judge James II.
Miller of Hinton and one or two others
also have been mentioned, but these
are not expected to figure prominently
in the contest.
Clarence w. Watson and Colonel
John r. McGraw are generally regard
ed as the leading candidates. Watson
is believed to have scored an advant-
age by being the first TO enter the race
while his wealth and political ability
are counted upon To keep him well to
the front. McGraw has had more ex-
perience and enjoys a wider acquaint-
ance among the rank and file Of the
party throughout the state. Those
who are urging his candidacy for one
of the senatorships point to his many
years service to his party as national
committeeman and urge that he is en-
titled to seat in the senate as his
reward.
John j. Cornwell also is regarded as
an important factor I'm the contest. He
people at large than any of the other
candidates and If the matter were
submitted to primary vote he un-
dobtedly would be a winner. Andrew
| Edmiston, another of the candidates
has been n prominent party man FOL
years. He was chairman of the stat,
committee for twelve years and Il
highly regarded personally. Lawrence
T. Tierney, another of the active can.
didates has hardly as much promin.
ence as Edmiston, but may have NOR,
votes.