The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-10-24

bribery and corruption, were not
mere rumDrs. They were made open.
ly in the light of day by brave men
who had counted the cost. They were
not made for political effect by mems
Ebers Of an opposite party. but came
from some of the strongest Demo-
cratic members OF the Legislature,
and were concurred in by others, who,
believing that the caucus nominations
accorded Chiffon and Watson did not
represent the sentiment of the people
of the State or the free, action of the
members of the Legislature, refused
10 have their votes recorded for the
laen who were successful in secur-
Ing the control of the Democratic
caucus.
Tossome IL may seen that to bring
this skeleton from the closet is I'm.
material to discussion of the defeat
of primary Iegfslation. But the great
majority of the people of West vir-
ginia are Interested in the honesty
and integrity of the men who serve
them III high places, and the control
of, the Democratic caucus is so linked
with the control of the Democratic
majority in the House of Delegates,
which defeated the enactment of a
direct primary law, that 1t is vitality
necessary to, discuss this caucus TO
show who vas directly responsible
for the stand of the Legislature
against a primary law.
The Democratic Caucus.
On the night of January 18th the
Democratic members of the State Leg
islature called caucus to choose
candidates for United States sena-
tors, one to succeed Senator N. B,
Scott for term OF six years and the
other to fill the unexplred term Of
the late Senator Stephen B. ElkinB.
The candidate for the short term was
selected first. On the eleventh ballot
Clarence w Watson was declared to
short term. He was nominated by
be the choice of the caucus for the
one vote. VIM. E. Chiffon was nolni-
mated on the fifth ballot for the long
term Of six years He was nominated
by majority of two votes.
One week interviewed before the two
Houses of the Legislature met to CON.
firm the choice OF the Democratic eau
Gus. During that week the capital
was filled with rumors to the eject
that the nominations accorded wat
son and Chiffon had been secured
through the greatest corruption, that
money had been lavlshly used to in
fiuence the vote Of members of the
Legislature and that the result had
been secured through a system Of
bribery.
On January "a, 1911, the two Houses
of the Legislature, in accordance with
law, met to elect two United States
Senators. The House of Delegates
ceased from Its labors for this Inn
por:ant event and Delegate septlnus
Hall, the oldest Democrat in point Of
service in the House. was picked to
place the name of Clarence ". watson
before the House.
Open Charges Of Bribery.
A few moments later and the rum
ors of bribery which had fitted about
the State and had been discussed BY
small groups Of legislators, were open
charges. Mr.. Nelson c. Hubbard.
Democrat, Delegate from Ohio coun-
ty' frankly and candidly. announced
his belief in these charges and an
nounced his uawilllngness to support
the caucus nominee, Mr., Watson.
Mr.. Hubbard, In stating why he
was unable to support the caucus
nominee and in placing the name Of
Congressman John W. Davis before
the Legislature. said:
Delegate Hubbard's Speech
"Mr. Speaker: On behalf Of At
least one memebr of the Legislature.
q Democratic member, and ON behalf
of very many DEMOCRATS loyal to their
party In the State of West Virginia,
] hYe to say that find II impossible
to support the caucus nominee and
desire to place in nomination the
name of a sterlipE Democrat MY
reason for taking this course is in no
degree based upon any resentment
or regret upon my part or any other
Individual ANY reason of that sort
which might have under any cir
eumstanees. would certainly be swal-
lowed up In my great desire to stand
shoulder to shoulder with united
Democracy in the State. Ny reason
Tor finding myself unable TO vote for
CONTINUED on l5ass tTs,5