Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-10
NO INSTRUCTED MEN
GO FROM THIS STATE
State Delegation viii Go 70 conven-
tion In All Probability
Unfettered,

the democratic candidate for presi-
dent viii so uninstructed is now a gen.
orally accepted theory. Sentiment has
not crysallized in West Virginia TO a
sufficient extent to indicate that either
the State delegate convention at Park.
ersburg or the congressional district
delegate conventions will be likely to
send representatives to Baltimore
bound @ vote or work for any certain
candidate. West Virginia viii have
sixteen votes IN the convention and
rros liability is that ali OF these
viii be hnfettered when they so 10
Baltimore,
Late IN 1911 and early in 1912 there
was a strong sentiment FOR Woodrow
Wilson tn the State. but. while the
Jersey Governor still has many
admirers and supporters it is not to
be denied that the crest Of this wave
has passed Just at present Champ
Clark appears 10 have the lead over
competitors with the democracy
Of The state but there is no great
warmth Of enthusiasm even for the
speaker The Harmon candidacy in
West Virginia never was highly popu.
lar, although the Ohio Governor has a
large number Of supporters among the
conservative Democrats. Under
wood bad bis admirers also, bat there
is nothing in the strength of any of
the Candidates TO Indicate that West
Virginia will not be In shape to take
the stand for the man whose nomi.
nation appears to augur best for par
ty success in November.
The six delegates at large will be
selected az the State delegate conven-
ton at Parkersburg. which viii also
name the national committeeman from
the state and nominate two candi
dates for the Supreme Court of APP
peals.
Among the men who are mentioned
for delegate at large are Wylie w.
Bsall, OF Wellsburg; John J. Davis
Clnrksburg; l.. f. Tierney, OF WEIGH;
Henry G. Davis, Ben H. Butcher. OF
Parkersburg; Stuart w. Walker. of
Martinsburg, and l. D. Morgan. of New
Martinsville.
Ben II. Butcher, of Parkersburg, a
well known attorney and Democratic
leader, is leader of the Champ Clark
movement in West Virginia, Butcher
is playing a considerable part in Demo
cratic politics in West Virginia just
now. In addition TO being mentioned
as a possible member OF the big six
favorably regarded on many
sides as a candidate for congressman
at large Saw V. Woods, of Phillipi,
is also a prospective candidate for
coz gresham at large.
Huntington people. at least, have
l5opped into the way of thinking that
he matter of the gubernatorial nom
lnation Is just as good as settled. In
fact this Impression seems general
about the State, it being apparent that
the big convention which meets in
Huntington on July Is will promptly
and enthusiastically deliver the guber-
Material nomination and the charge OF
the party victory in the State into the
hands, of Hon. William X. Thompson,
of Huntington. Not In many years has
acre been such an enthusiastic re
Spouse to an announced candidacy as
there was to that of Mr.. Thompson.
When Thompson announced, all other
candidates., prospectice and other
wise, were side-tracked or withdrawn
and the local man has clear field for
the nomination. And there is almost
as much confidence in his election as
there in his nomination.
There are not many candidates for
other State Offices. At least not many
of them have Gomez out into the open.
w. r. Alexander, of Jefferson coun-
ty, is candidate for the nomination
for State auditor.
E. A. Brannon, of Weston, will seek
the nomination of attorney general.
There may be a pretty fight over
the nomination for secretary of state
between A. Hood Phillips, member of
? state Senate, residence Grafton,
and w, II. Sawyers. the lawyer editor
of Hinton.
There will be an interesting fight
at Parkersburg probably when the
matter of nominating candidates for
the Supreme Court Of Appeals Is TAX
en- up. Judge w. G. Bennett, occupies
a commanding position in this race as
he was helped by the fact that his bro
Their. Hon Louis Bennett remained out
of the governorship race. He Is chair
man of the State committee and that
will help also. e. C. Smith, of Clarks-
burg. end Hon. Andrew Price, OF Har-
lington, are also candidates for the
nominations while number Of other
well known lawyers are mentioned.
The naming of national commit
teeman at Parkersburg VIII be inter-
esting. 1t is tacitly understood that
McGraw will seek to succeed himself
and, while this is by no means certain,
nay be that there viii be no oppo-
sition to him.
4