Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-01-27
drew in the interests Of party har-
No Time to TriHe.

mony.
No Time to TriHe.
The situation is likely to bring
about big conference in the near
future--a conference at which one,
two or perhaps all three Of the present
candidates will be eliminated A new
man may come out The republican
leaders realize. as Governor Glass
cock says. that this is no time to
trife with the honest convictions OF
the honest yeomanry. The republican
rarity is the minority party since the
last election The result OF bitterly
fought nominations can be but one
success at the polls.
Republican harmony dinners are in
order. The Ohio county republicans
will pull one off at Wheeling on
Grounding Day and have invited re-
rublicans from all over the state. The
Kanawha County Republican Club will
have one on Lincoln's Birthday These
dinners are independent of candidates
and are in the interest OF party har-
lniony and to revive the fighting spirit
Of the members of the party.
United States Senator Watson is
OFT in favor of a senatorial primary
In the state following the general cleo
ticn. He declares his candidacy to
succeed himself when his term ex-
pires March 4, 1913, and directe a
letter to State Chairman w. G. Ben
s ,ot4 20 +h1 nannooro+io Ctata Conn
ntittee asking for the primary prefer
ence method. In this Senator Watson
shows himself an astute politician, all
this talk about his inexperience In the
game to the contrary Notwithstanding.
Watson's rival, John T. McGraw, who
| is candidate to succeed him, favors
the primary method, either before or
sitter the election. 1t is turning Nc
Graw's weapon against McGraw. Wat
son argues that all the democrats
should unite in the election of demo-
cratic legislature and then submit the
matter of United States Senator to
vote of the members of the party
McGraw Fighting Watson.
w dtSOf opponents CidllU an ul-
terror motive in Watson's declaration.
They point out that the supporters of
him and Chiffon prevented the enact
ment of primary election law at the
extraordinary session OF the legisla-
ture last May, when McGraw came to
Charleston and fought in favor of It,.
They argue that a primary after the
election could not be held under any
law and that the open purchasing of
votes could not be prosecuted under
the law; also that Watson expects to
control the state committee after the
democratic state convention and will
then be in position to control the pri-
mary election machinery. McGraw IS
supposed to have the inside with the
members of the present state COM
mittee, but there is some doubt about
it
Attorney General w. G.. Conley has
announced his candidacy for congress
in the second district. The announce
ment came out from his home at King
wood and was no surprise, as he had
been known to be building his fences.
Judge George Poffenbarger of Point
Pleasant yesterday announced his can
d.daey to succeed himself as Judge
Of the Supreme Court of Appeals, sub
ject to the republican convention to
be held at Huntington.
Announcements have been rather
thick and fast. though they have con-
tanned few surprises. Charles r. Te-
ter has let it be known for weeks that
he would get into the race for Con-
eressman-at-Large hence his announ-
cement for the republican nomination
changed things little, if any. A. Hood
Phillips, of Grafton, member of the
State Senate, wants the democratic
nomination for Secretary of State and
( says so. His boom is nearly a year
lid and he may not have opposition
/ Phillips is a close personal friend OF
McGraw, but it is doubtful If the Wat
son-Chilton forces will in any way op-
pose his nomination. Phillips is small
in stature, but most of it is heart and
brains.
nc lOludl dhuONUEHuitthl Oh CldiP
Senator Samuel V, Woods for the
democratic gubernatorial nomination
was expected. Either that or for
Judge of the Supreme Court. Being
a lawyer of note Woods figured in the
Supreme Court possibilities but has
settled it by making formal announce
ment. Woods is a member Of the
militant democracy and does not en-
tirely understand the usefulness Of
the republican party, He was a SUP
rorter of McGraw but became ardent
in his affections for Chiffon and Wat
son within the past year.
Other announcements may be ex-
pected soon. Secretary of State Stu
art F. Reed, State Auditor ]. s. Darst
and State Treasurer e. L. Long will
come out for reelection. c.. F. Rath-
bone OF Parkersburg is expected to
enter for Longs Office, while A. D.
Williams of Marlinton is watching the