The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-04-18
In Behalf of Senator Watson
and Puts one Over on
McGraw.
(By Charles Brooks Smlth.l .


/. Neal is to be the chairman OF the
new Democratic state committee.
George is now the yice-chairman and
Judge w. G. Benentt is the chairman.
In the last state campaign when
Louis Bennett headed the ticket, Neal
was the active head of the fight, and
he acquitted himself in such salts
factory way in that interesting en-
gagement that it has strengthened
his reputation as a keen and clever
manager. The fact is that he is now
regarded as superior TO any other
leader in his party in his knowledge
Of the political game and how to play
the cards.
Looking back to that memorable
year, it will be recalled that the
Democratic committee in its report o.
money collected and disbursed, placed
the sum at approximately s33, 900. All
of it excepting about $4,000, was
furnished by the Bennett family. The
only two other Candidates on the
ticket who paid their assessments OF
$500 each, so 1t is said, were Jere
Miller, of Wheeling, for treasurer,
and Oscar Jenkins, for auditor. The
balance, about $4,000, was contributed
in small dribs by the poor but loyal
patriots. With this fund, which was
paid out through Chairman Bennett,
at Neals suggestion, the latter made
a fight that was considered splendid
under the circumstances. 1t has
helped him TO the higher prestige
he occupies now in the organization.
But. notwithstanding that, the nom
klnation of W. R. Thompson, Of Hun
tington, for governor, which now
seems pretty much assured, would
practically insure that the manage
ment OF the campaign this year
would devolye upon Neal. He is
close friend of Thompson and was in
strumental in getting his candidacy
taken up by the two senators. In
addition to that phase, however, Neal
has become the mainstay of the ma
chine, more on account of Watson's
recognition of his political sagacity
than Chiltons willingness to do him
honor in that respect Chilton's mem
Iory is good and he cannot forget that
it was Meals vote which kept him
from being elected member of the
national committee, succeeding his
ancient enemy. McGraw, at the Den
YER convention.
! 1t was Neal who engineered the
Watson primary scheme. In the first
place. when McGraw was bowling for
primary but neglecting to state Just
what kind he wanted and how ii
should be conducted, Neal suggested
the after-the-election primary to-
Watson and urged his endorsement
of the same, pointing out, no doubt.
that there was no getting away from
primary, so great was the party
clamor for it. He doubtless pointed
out to Clarence, too, how Clarence
could win in such primary whether
there was an overwhelming demand
for. him or not. Watson was quick
ct see and appreciate the force of the
argument, and he came out in a pub
lie letter accepting the primary SO
much desired by McGraw, but stipu-
lating that 1t should be held after,
and not before, the general election,
for II the party lost at the polls there
would be no need for any senatorial
primary whatsoever On its face, that
proposition was SO reasonable that
1t met with very general party favor
McGraw seemed non-plussed and mi
.hfs confusion, instead OF taking the
other extreme as to dates, announced
that he favored holding the. primary
on the very day of the general cleo
ton. OF course. that didn't appeal
scented them to the committee and is
to anybody very much. 1t merely
served to strengthen watson's posi-
tiom and enabled the Baron of Btu
minous to have his own way the
easier.
The rules and regulations govern
ing the post-eIectlon primary were
devised and written by Neal, although
George Wallace, of Huntington pre-