The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-12-01
DEMOCRATS SEEK
Ne w z BAD DERSHLP

field. 1t remains to be seen whether
it can succeed. 1t has possibilities OF
succeeding, but then 1t has q very
practical, discreet and peace-loying
politician to deal with.
Why Davis, it may be asked? Be
cause he is the only Democrat OF
tgreat prominence, much influence
and high ability in sight 1t Is fig-
ured that he would have the weight
tof the national administration behind
him, and 1t is also figured that, in
the light OF widespread Democratic
I losses in the recent election, which
many prophets say means Republican
victory in 1916, the senatorial route
might offer a sporting chance OF get
ting hold OF a soft berth in which to
fall at the end Of a four-year term
as solicitor. Another reason why he
/ is desired Is that he has reached a
national status in his party, and that
1 is expected to help. And still another
reason is that Davis is one Of the few
men available in which to base hopes
of his being able to reuntte the fight
symphonic whole. There are very few
of the leading Democrats of senator
ial size who have not gotten them
selves badly mixed up with either the
Watson Chiffon machine or the Nc
Graw faction. Davis is one OF the
very few.
That the time is ripe for the party
to purge itself of its present disas-
trous leadership and factionalism
generally, whether 1t bears the stamp
OF McGraw or some other leader who
considers that he has a grievance
against the Gold Dust Twins, the re-
construct tionists are ready to prove
to the satisfaction Of any Democratic
neutrals from an analysis OF the late
election results in West Virginia.
They claim that II there was ever a
rebuke administered to leadership,
the same was handed Senator Chiffon
and his partner. in the defeat Of ,ex-
! Governor MacCorkle. in particular,
and the other machine-made candi-
dates in general from the eminent
Doctor Hodges right down the line to
the lowest and most trivial offiee
chaser who had the hallmark ef the
dual lead defship stamped on litti1 They
interpreted the returns as meaning
that the rank and file OF the party
are done-and forever-with the
present leadership.
All of which many concede, but at
the same time they inquire rather
|hopelessly: What are you going to
do about it." The answer is Davis,
and then comes the retort back:
Glow can you get him?" There Is
the rub. "How can you, indeed?" Mr..
Davis knows the power Of the party
machine, and is stronger for peace
and solitude than he is for soldiery.
Very much stronger. in fact. 1t will
take mighty fine work to rope him in.
However, that effort is going to be
made. 1t is under way now, SO far
as those at the head Of the movement
are concerned. The plan will prob
ably take the form OF appealing to
party men to write to Davis-a sort
of a round robin or endless letter
chain enterprise, similar to Col.
Rooseyelt's circular epistle from
Cuba to the war department, or the
more recent episode of the Seven
little governors" The undertaking
may find sympathetic approval within
Democratic ranks. say both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans who have
heard OF it, but the Republicans say
that 1t will find none outside Of that
party; the Republicans. it seems, are
Iall heartily in favor Of retaining the
present Democratic leadership. 1t
suits, them say. Like Grape Nuts
l'There's reason" but they do not
~, ~ i,1kn that ~. ~