Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-10
CLARK THE CHOICE
IN WEST VIRGINIA
Watson is Under Fire--old Charges
Against Hin and Senator Chiffon
Served BY Republicans.
lRN w NJ naYisl

cratic NatlCaaI committeeman John
| T. McGraw would abolish the two
| thirds rule N the nomination OF can
didates for the presidency. Such
resolution viii be offered by the Graf
ton politician when the National COM
mittee meets In Baltimore and there
are assurances that it Will have sup
port, provided the change Is not made
effective this year.
! McGraw Is a crafty politician, fun OF
tact and with high standing among
the Democrats OF the country. Aside
/ from the Question as to whether or
not the majority should rule In the
convention McGraw may have an
other reason In mind and it is certain
that he will want the change effective
when the nomination for 1912 is made.
! McGraw Is Tor Governor Woodrow VIII
son. He has declared his belief that
a majority 81 the West Virginia Dem
ocrats are Tor him. II that is true they
have failed TO show 1t. AS has here
tofore been stated, about the only Wis
ible sentiment in this State is for
/ Speaker Champ Clark and he viii get
the West Virginia delegates unless
something arises unforeseen. They will
hardly be Instructed, but IL they are,
they will lie instructed for Clark
Rule Would Help Wilson.
McGraw hopes that Wilson viii con-
troll a majority in the Baltimore con-
vention Therefore, he would like to
see the majority rule apply, hence his
reason, perhaps. for sprlEging the res
olution Bat McGraw is not so par.
tial after all Speaking Of candidates
for President. he said: we are es-
pecially fond of Wilson, but love EN-
all"
Cabell county, the home Of William
r. Thompson has led of with
strong Endorsement for him. While
Thompson win apparently have no OPP
position for the Democratic nomlna-
/ ton for governor, he is taking no
chances. The State nominating con
vention win not be held until July 16,
but district mass conventions were
held Saturday Delegates to all con
ventions we're selected and Thompson
was given a ringing Endorsement. The
delegates selected are uninstructed as
to presidential preference. W. G, Ben
nett, of Weston. Democratic State
I chairman and candidate for judge Of
the supreme court, was Endorsed for
/ the latter Office at the convention held
/ in Braxton county.
Recall Watson Charges.
After being allowed to slumber dur
ing the fight between Taft and Roose-
welt the promised charges against
U. S. Senators Watson and Chiffon
are being recalled. or all chestnuts
ever pulled politically IN West Vir-
ginia, these are the worst. Half doz-
en- Democratic members of the Legis-
lature last year bolted the caucus and
refused to support Watson and Chill
| ton, making the statement that in
| their opinion their caucus nominations
were brought about by corruption and
! bribery Somewhat of stir was crea-
| ted at the time and Governor Glass
cock started an investigation after
the Legislature refused to pass res
olution calling for such an investiga-
ton. When the special session of the
Legislature was in session last May
to consider primary election law the
Governor and Senator Moses r. Clapp
came here and addressed the MEM
bers Clapp was told Of the charges
and, it is said, promised assistance in
having an investigation by the Senate
itself. Clapp afterward denied hav-
ing anything to do with It.
All went along quietly until Senator
Chiffon delivered speech at Pine
vile, the county seat of Wyoming
county, where he attacked some OF
| the policies Of the Governor. Glass
cock went into the charges with re-
newed energy and declared that the
whole thing would be aired properly.
| He gathered such information as he
could and took it to Washington,
where it was turned over to Senator
Elihu Root. 1t was the understanding
in the State that the charges would
be sprung in the Senate and an inyes-
tigation ordered
1 Charges Deemed Trivial.
For the past Is months when the
Republican newspapers are short on
political stun, they revive the charges.
/ The people are taking the whole affair
as joke Apparently the Republl-
cans have not wanted an investigation,
fearing it would result in a vindication
thus depriying them Of such campaign
material as they might make out OF
the situation as 1t stands
The impression is that the charges
and information furnished by the Gov
ernor are far from sufficient to make
anything like case against the two
senator's. This is felt by Republicans
as well as by Democrats. knowing
this, after an examination Of the pa
pers filed, it is believed that those ask
ed to push the matter, knowing that
they would fall down in the attempt.
Had there been any evidence substan-
tiating the charges it is believed there
| ,tn1.ld have haan no DELAY in Offering