Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-01-11
CIR Washington Letter.

For the last ten days metropolitan news
papers throughout the eastern part of the
United States have been devoting. col
umns of space to alleged attempts OF
Senators Watson and Chiffon to strengthen
the cause Of first one and then another
aspirant for the presidency. They have
been in turn reported as supporting SEN
ator O'Gorman, Of New York, Governor
Harmon, of Ohio, Champ Clark, OF Mis-
souri,, and in fact nearly all the persons
spoken of in connection with the nom-
nation. Certain papers even went SO
far as to assert that strong article had
been published in the Charleston Gazette,
which they said is owned by Senator
Chiffon, advocating the nomination OF
Senator O'Gorman. OF course no such
article appeared, for neither Senator Wat
son or Senator Chiffon is engaged in the
business OF furthering the cause OF any
candidate for the presidency or opposing
any other candidate. To be sure, they
both want to see strong and capable
man nominated for that position for the
sake of the party, but their attitude was
expressed clearly by Senator Watson,
who stated few days ago that: 81 am
taking no part as between candidates for
the nomination for the presidency, merely
wishing to see the strongest and most
available man nominated. However, the
Democratic party in West Virginia is Ca
pable OF arriving at its own conclusion as
to who should receive its support in the
Democratic national convention without
any advice from a Senator, who should
be the servant rather than the adviser OF
his constituents. My personal opinion
at this time is that the delegation from
West Virginia should be selected from
able and trustworthy Democrats who
should be sent to the convention without
any instructions and left free to do what
they think best in the way Of assisting in
the nomination Of the most available and
strongest Democrat who Can be put In
the field"
The principal thing accomplished by
the publications regarding the West Viz
ginia Senators. built as they were upon
no foundation whatever, was to emphasize
the influence which these men are looked
upon as exerting in national matters.
The columns of space which are devoted
to them by the city papers would not
have been so used had il not been gen.
orally conceded that any action the two
West Virginia Senators might take IN re-
gard to the presidential nomination would
be OF vast importance. The whole story
of their alleged participation in the max
ing of a presidential candidate was merely
a high compliment to their standing and
influence in the Democratic party OF the
nation.
High tribute has been paid to the coal
of West Virginia by the Navy Depart
ment, as the result Of tests made COM
pairing the efficiency of West Virginia
coal with that OF coal from the Pacific
Coast for use as fuel in naval vessels
stationed in the Pacific. The result OF
the test was such az to cause a report
that II Is more profitable to pay the freight
on West Virginia coal shipped to the
Pacific than to use the western coast coal
with very little freight to pay.
After serving continuously for more
than twenty years as an employee of the
Senate, Parker Williams, of Charleston,
has been dropped from the rolls. Under
the new system Of distributing patronage
in the Senate, each Republican Senator
is allowed so many employees. Williams
had been credited to Senator Elkins, but
as no Senator at the present time is will
ing to have Mr.. Williams charged up to
him, he was dropped from the rolls the
first Of the year. Senator Chiffon is en-
deavoring to have him reinstated and
placed upon the old age list OF Senate
employees. which would keep him on
the rolls practically Tor the rest OF his life.
Congressman Brown has appointed
William B. Snyder. of Shepherdstown, a
son OF Harry L. Snyder, editor OF the
Shepherdstown Register, 10 be assistant
secretary in his office. Mr.. Snyder has
entered upon the discharge of his duties
and is assisting in getting out the very
large correspondence to which Mr.. Brown
has to attend.
II is understood in Washington that
James S. Lakin, now member OF the
State Board of Control, will be candi-
date for the nomination for Congressman
from the second district, making four
Republican candidates now in the field
from the same district. Attorney General
Conley and Sam B. Montgomery, the
former of whom aspires to the district
nomination. while Mr.. Montgomery would
like to be nominated for Congressman-at-
large, are both from Congressman Browns
county. and either of them would find it
difficult to carry that county for the dis
trict with Mr.. Brown on the Democratic
ticket.
SUMMERS.