The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-05-02
For the Nomination for Con-
gress on Democratic Ticket
in Second District.
(CharIes Brooks smith,

WASHINGTON, d. c., May O.
The Hon. Charles W. Brandon, OF
Philippi, evidently means business,
Up till now there was a feeling extant
not to take his candidacy for the
nomination against Congressman
Brown seriously. 1t was based OH
the belief that Mr.. Brandon did not
so take it and trat he had undertaken
the things as feint, having other
things in mind for whlcr he exepctei
help through compromise. Evil
IDENTITY that was an errsr of judgment
on the part of many politicians, for
We find Mr.. Brandon putting up his
good money TO have his name placed
on the ticket in the Jefferson county
Democratic primary, which Is to bel
held May %. A candidate who Isl
not in earnest, who does not take
himself or his candidacy seriously,
would not be liable to do a thing
like that.
So far as the Democratic party Isl
concerned in the Second district the
Jefferson county primary is likely to
be the only one reid. The other
counties will adhere to the time
worn AMI generally much abused
convention method of selecting treir
delegates. Jefferson, then, Is likely
to be the battle-ground Of an inter-
esting initial skirmish between
Brown and Brandon which may, and
doubtless will, indicate which OF
these two will win in the end. The
way the politicians figure it is that
If Brandon fails to win in JEFFERSON
he will OF have much Of a chance
of defeating Brown for a reonmina-
ton. In arriving at this conclusion
1t Is taken into count that Brown is
said to have had more trouble over
patronage in Jefferson county than
any Of the others composing the dis,
trict. He has had similar troubles in
frequent spots in his district, but
those in Jefferson are classed by
those who should know as being the
most serious.
Brown views the opposition of
Brandon with composure. and with
feeling of sanguineness that has every
element OF being real and sincere.
He expects to win handily in the first
skirmish-that in jefferson county
IN fact. he expects to carry every
county in his district excepting Bar
bour. and that being the home coun-
ty of his opponent, Brown will make
no fight for a delegation there. He
will let Brandon take it, and has so
instructed his chairman. j. Hop
Woods.
In looking around for an issue ON
which to base his candidacy. Brandon
has selected Browns vote against the
80 L.. ..1a q 4
Panama canal act as the most vul-
nerable spot in the armor of Browns
record. He thinks pretty highly of
that apparently for he has written
Brown and invited the latter to go
into the district and debate 1t with
him on the hustings. The invitation
was politely declined, and in the let
ter of declination Mr.. Brown said
that his business as a representative
OF the Second district was right here
in Washington while Congress is in
session, and here he proposes to re-
main.
As a matter Of fact, il Brown was
disposed to debate, which he isn't be-
cause he doesn't think he is in any
danger from the Barbour county
man, he has told his friends that he
would like nothing better than TO de-
fend his vote in favor of standing
by the party's national platform as
against President Wilson'S reversed
position, Brown thinks that any DEM
ocrat who voted as he did and who
goes 90 the plain people to defend
that vote will have a two to one adj
vantage over the fellow who argues
IN favor OF repeal. There isn't
shadow Of doubt as to that in
Browns mind. 4 Brandon continues
to make that the issue. Brown tells
his friends that he sees no reason to
worry. but rather good cause to be
cheerful and gracious mien
II Brandon can defeat Brown he
will give the Democratic politicians
tho surprise OF their lives, and win