The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-01-03
SEN. WATSON
TO DEFEAT
GOV. WILSON
WEST VIRGINIA SENATOR is IN.
TEREsTED WITH THE TASK OF
BLOCKING NEW JERSEY MANS
ASPIRATIONS.
.FA|RM0NT MAN PROMINENT
PREFERENCE FOR PRESIDENTIAL
NOMINEE SHIFTS FROM DAY TO
pAY-UNoERWooD AND CLARK
ARE FAVoRlTEs.

The New York World of yesterday,
carries the story that Senator G. W.
Watson has been decided upon by
the powers that be to blast the politl.
cal aspirations of Senator Woodrow
Wilson who has been longing to rest
his weary frame in the presidential
chair That the consummation of
Wilson's dreams will not be realized is
the opinion given out in the Worlds
article.
The Washington correspondent for
the World says!
WASHINGTON. Jan. 9.--Tf the
boom Of Woodrow Wilson is checked
those who know inside politics Will
give Senator Clarence Watson, Of
West Virginia the credit for it. A CO.
terie Of conservative Democratic Sen,
ators, aided by monied men OF the
East, have appointed Senator Watson
to stop the progress OF the Wilson
campaign for the presidency. There
have been conferences in the Senate
Office Building within the last few
weeks for the purpose of blocking the
Wilson boom, and Senator Watson
was the chief figure at these meetings.
West Virginia papers controlled by
Senators Watson and Chiffon, who
are political allies, are advocating
Senator OGorman for the Democratic
nomination. This is an effort to en-
courage the "favorite son" move
ment, Associated With Senator Wat,
.son afc senators eRiitoT Of IFS own
State, Senator Smith, the Democratic
boss of Maryland: Senator Martin; the
Democratic boss Of Virginia; Senators
Simmons of North Carolina, and one
or two other conservative senators.
Early in the game it was generally
understood that this little group Of
powerful men favored Harmon for the
Democratic nomination. but recently
feeling that the Ohioan could moi
over come the Bryan opposition, 1t
shifted to Oscar W. Underwood and
Champ Clark, the nomination OF eth
er of whom would be satisfactory.
Judging from the frequent confer
ences held between Mr.. Underwood
and Mr.. Watson at the request of the
latter the Alabaman looks better
than anybody else.
Part of the Watson plan is to have
States that instruct for favorite sons
to also instruct for Clark or Under
wood for second choice. II this
scheme is adopted and carried out the
Watson group can not only prevent
the nomination OF Woodrow Wilson
but can name it's man The favorite
son movement is growing. There are
Marshall of Indiana, Underwood OF
Alabama, Champ Clark of Missouri,
Burke of North Dakota and O'Gorman
of New York
The men who selected Senator Wat
son 10 conduct the fight against
Woodrow Wilson know that Senator
Watson has a talent for organizing
and keeping his own counsel and that
he had been lauded by Col. Bryan as
progressive. This expression is be
ing used 10 good effect in the present
campaign.
Mr.. Watson is said to be the largest
individual coal dealer in the world
yet he has given out interviews ia
voring free coal. He is very careful
not to let any act OF his prejudice the
progressive voter.
The campaign of Woodrow Wilson
is dynamited all along the line. Sena
tor Watson is said to carry the loaded
valise. iiE.s.i-.