The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-01-08
r , 8
day aI1a q 81 igt1t

.lf6r watson and Chiffon to combine
Their interests. Since Watson drew
the short term McGraw's fight is nee.
2ssarily on him. For various reasons
Chiffon and Watson should fight to-.
Egethef But should the State com
.Itinue to elect Democratic Legtsla.t
tdre. Clifton ean figure that 'ffshe
Keeps out Of the Watson.M Gya& aght,
4 he viii stand a good chance Of re.elsc-
/ tton to the United States Senate, since,
McGraw lives upstate and he lives at
4 Charleston. rat Washington Watson
LIS looked upon as the leader Of the
West Virginia Democrats, and this is
not altogether pleasing to Chitoh,
who himself aspires to the leadership.
The Chilton.Watson crowd would
tender McGraw the gubernatorial nom
nation II that would satisfy him. Some
OF McGraw's friends are imbued with
this idea. But there are some who
fear 1t, Fear that It is an attempt to
shelf McGraw by defeating him at the
election and thereby putting him out
Of the running thereafter. AS o re-
suit McGraw is being advised not to
stand for governor.
The Jackson celebration at Wash
lngtou Monday is when something is
scheduled TO break. Bryan will be
there. Harmon will not. Watson and
Chiffon have been supporters Of Har-
mon. McGraw leans toward Wilson.
Reports from Washington are to the
effect that Watson and Chiffon each
purchased ten tickets. for the Jackson
dinner. y is lexpsctsd, Sf them tqido |
that, But .MtGrawjt1t is said, pur
chased ff1H $50 80 alta there IS no
doubt that he will have bunch OF his
supporters in Washington on that oc. !
casIon., They, will confer, and decide
upon plans for future action.
Asplres to Senate.
Within a week or two, II things look
right to the Grafton man, he will an: |
nounce his candidacy for United
States Senator and the battle will be 1
oil. McGraw will favor the primary
election method. He will ask q sena.
torial primary either before or after
the general election. He will, II no
primary is granted, go into every coun.
ty likely to elect Democratic members
of the legislature and will make
fight such as has not been seen in this
State for years.
Watson has not been kept informed
Of the intentions Of McGraw. All the
work SO far has been on the quiet. Not
until the crowd begins to gather in
!. ashington today will be he allowed
to see the acrds in McGraw's hand.
He has expected fight from McGraw,
but does not know 1t is coming so
soon. He will soon have his forces in
line for the fight which may reach the
stage of assuring a Republican legis:
lature.
Aside from the attempt OF McGraw
to come back the Democratic side re.
mains quiet. At Huntington a boom
has been started for William R.
Thompson for governor Thompson
is prominent attorney and was the
supposed Chiffon candidate for gov
ernoruin 1904, when the McGraw-
forces gave the nomination to John ].
Cornwall OF Romney. Thompson him.
self is not a candidate, but his friends
believe he would accept.
Conference Details.
Republicans are beginning to get
the inside OF the recent Washington
conference, which resulted in the an
nouncement OF DR.. H. D. Hatfield for
the Republican nomination for gov
ernor. OF the Republicans who gath
cred there those from the Southern
section of the State predominated and
as a result Hatfield was the choice.
At that time Charles w. Swisher had
already declared p hiss candidacy.
Charles W. Dillon was expected to an
nounce. Swishef was not satisfactory
to all, Republicans. No candidate suits.
everybody in his own party. The same
was true relative to Dillon, whoehad
not declared himself.
So the conference took place, either
accidental or with malice afore-
thought. Denham, Highland, Sperry,
Ogden, Sutherland, Elkins and Scott
were there in Washington represent,
ing the northern half of the State.
Mann, Sheppard, Vinson, Northcott,
Hughes, Hatfield and Ritz were there
from the southern end, and all de.