Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-07-18
w. r. THOMPSON FOR GOVERNOR.

w. R. THOMPSON FOR GOVERNOR.
The Democratic State Convention for
West Virginia, held at Huntington this
week, was lively and enthusiastic gather
ing of hopeful Democrats. harmonious to
an unusual degree. William R. Thomp-
son, of Huntington, was nominated for
Governor by reclamation. 1t had been
reported that Mr.. Thompson would be
opposed for the place by Hon. John T..
McGraw, but so far from this being true,
Col. McGraw placed him in nomination.
He was enthusiastically supported by all
the delegates.
The convention was called to order
Tuesday afternoon by Chairman VIM. u.
Bennett, who named Judge John H. Holt
as temporary chairman. Judge Holt
made great speech, thoroughly progress
sive in its expression. The mention OF
the names of Woodrow Wilson and VIM.
]. Bryan called forth tumultuous applause
that could scarcely be stopped. Ben H.
Hiner was made permanent chairman OF
the convention. The nominations for
State officers other than the Governor
were deferred until Wednesday.
William Fontaine Alexander, of Jeffer-
son county, was nominated for State Au-
ditor by reclamation. The other candi-
dates realized that he had the matter
clinched, and they withdrew before a
ballot was taken, so there was not vote
against him.
For Secretary of State, Hal W. Depue,
of Roane county, was nominated. W.
D. linn, of Barbour county, was nomi-
mated for Commissioner OF Agriculture,
this being particularly strong nominal
ton. L. w. Burns, of Fayette county,
was named for State Superintendent OF
Schools.
Thomas A. Bledsoe, a talented young
lawyer OF Kanawha county, was nomlnat-
ed for Attorney General. His name was
sprung at the last moment, and he cap
tured the convention, winning on the
first ballot. lgnatius Brennan, OF Ohio
county, had walkover for State Ireasur-
err, winning on the first ballot.
Gilbert d. Smith, OF Peasants county,
VIM. H. Sawyers, of Summers county,
and Ben H. Butcher, of Wood county,
were nominated for electors -at-lsrge.
There was spirited fight for the NOM
nation for Congressman-at-large, the
contest being between Sam V. Woods,
of Barbour county, and Ben H. Butcher,
of Wood county. The result was dead
lock, and though Senators Watson and
Chiffon had both been for Mr.. Woods,
and John T. McGraw made a strong per-
sonal plea for him, they could not pull
him through. Mr.. Woods is a member
of the State Senate, and many Democrats
objected to him leaving that body, now
tie, and giving the Republicans control.
Mr.. Woods was also charged with having
defeated the income tax amendment in
the last Legislature. and this alienated
many votes from him. The deadlock
was finally solved by nominating Ben H.
Hiner, of Pendleton county, who made
the run for Congress in the second dis
trict four years ago.
An incident occurred Tuesday after
noon that showed very clearly the temper
OF the convention. Former Governor
VIM. A. MacCorkle offered resolution
providing that any resolution proposed
in the convention be referred to the COM
mittee without debate. Mr.. MacCorkle
was Immediately hooted and Kissed until
he had to retreat and sit down. At the
Baltimore convention, if was recalled,
Governor MacCorkle. who was regarded
as reactionary, made an attack on Mr..
Bryan and bitterly fought the Bryan res
olution denouncing the Murphy Belmont
Ryan combination. When the delegates
of the State convention got chance at
the former Governor they knocked him
out completely. Hoots and jeers and
Kisses greeted him from every section OF
the hall, and he was not permitted to say
word. He finally gave up in despair
and went back to his seat, sending up
word to the chairman to withdraw the
resolution.
The new members of the State Commit
tee selected are: First district, ]. b.
Handlan; second. John B. Slippner; third,
Joe Murphy; fourth. J. H. Depew; fifth,
George |. Neal; sixth, Wyndham Stokes;
seventh, w. H. GinniS; eighth, r. S.
Carr; ninth, Charles w. Osenton; tenth,
Samuel Hays; eleventh, c. L. Shaver;
twelfth, ]. Carl Vance; thirteenth, Lon
w. Bartlett; fourteenth, r. A. Walsh; fiji
teenth, Gray Silver.