The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-08-30


which has been much discussed OF
late. to wit: the relations existing
between Chiffon and Davis. Since
the latter's appointment to be So
licitor General CT the United States,
ChiltCn and his friends have not
been able TO disguise the fact that
they are not only suspicious that Da.
Wis Is framing up TO run for the
United States Senate. but they are
also plainly jealous OF his great in
fluencc with tie President. No less
| successful are Davis and his friends
| in so conducting themselves as tt
make til" Chiffon suspicious unwar-
rantcd. On the contrary in CONVEX
sati0n and In private letters there Is
] ,c be found annie evidence that the
close friends Of Davis are doing.
even ut this early date, what the.
can do to encourage sentiment ia,
vorable to him rs the party's choice
TO succeed Chiffon. That the plan
In salrendy maieriali2el in West
Virginia is shown by the receipt OF
letters here telling Of the activities
along this line Of moi only members
of the Davis organization III the
First district. but OF relatives. ut
well. Therefore. II would seem that
Chiffon has clear right and title
to be suspicious OF Davis and to fear
that Davis Is quietly laying his
plans to take over Chilton's Job. 1t
Is believed acre, and seriously dis
cHssea. that IL this Is the play the
Clarksburg. man has started to make.
he will have the cordial support of
the national administration. II Is
said on creditable authority that the
President and the congressman have
talked 1t over and have u pretty sat-
lsiactory agreement to the effect
that II Davis continues to show
strength with the rank and file In
West Virginia, the administration
will help him by giving him promi-
nence in national way rs well as
making him the distributor Of pat
ronage In that state. Aside from
President Wilson'S admiration for
Davis talents as lawyer and his
personality, 1t is stated that the
President, as the leader of his party
thinks 1t best that an end be put 70
the long-drawn-o internccine
strife between the Chiffon and Mci
Graw factions. and that with such .
man as Davis ont for the senatoship
he will appeal to very large efer
ment of Democracy which the Pres-
idcnt has been infoed and believes,
Is tired of this factionafism and
would like to see an end put to 1t by
the defeat of both Chiffon and Met
Graw. and the elevation to party
leadership of some other man, pref
Grady his new Solicitor General.
The friend of Davis and Vance
quoted above in reference TO the out,
come of the conference between Chill
ton and Vance declares that Vance
made no promises that would pre-,
vent him helping Davis, but states
1t only as his belief not as n fact.
Others believe quite differently, else
they say that Chiffon would not
have performed his part of this
Misunderstanding ceremony. And yet
II Is not likely that Chiffon agreed
to acIuesce in Vance's confirmation
unless he received something in re-
turn. What that was Is now the
question which is worrying the
West Virginia contingent. Perhaps.
it is suggested. that Vance agreed
to no longer aid McGraw as against
Chiffon. and. perhaps-well. there
are all sorts of Surmises advanced,
and good majority of them can't
stand up under all incisiVe analysis.
It may be that Chiffon wanted no
open break with Davis at this time,
which was threatened. trusting that
the talk of a Davis senatorial boom
was only flash and would subside.
or it could be switched off into other
channels, like n life appointment to
the bench. or that many things
might happen between now and the
time for actually beginning the cam
paign.
Senator Chilton's announcement
that he would recommend S. W.
Walker, of Martinsburg, for appoint
ment to succeed District Attorney
Roy Waugh accustomed no surprise
either here or in West Virginia. 1t
has been expected all along. Clar-
cnce Watson settled that long ago.
Stewart Walker was his selection for
state chairman and. although good
many Democrats think he made II
pretty bad job of It and never hest
tate In saying so. he was Watson's
choice and Watson stuck to him. He
o. KID him for the job months ago.
and Chiltons announcement is
merely subscribing to the program
of the big boss Of the party. Speak
ing of Watson, he returned to this
side OF the world this week, and Is
expected to arrive Washington any
incoming train to confer with Chill
ton and zee how things have been