The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-14
Chiffon MAY NOT
. CONTEST ELECTION
is STILL UNDECIDED BUT HIS
FRIENDS ARE ADVISING
AGAINST IT
Senator Goff Has No Intention OF Re-
sianlna-News From The National
Capital
(By ]. W. Flenner) }

: (By ]. W. Flenner) }
| 1ntsll1gencer Bureau,
| Washington, d. c., Dec. 13.
While reports continue to come
from West Virginia to the effect that
Senator Chiffon intends to contest the
election OF Howard Sutherland as a
Senator from West Virginia, it is
. known here that many Of his closest
friends and advisers have urged him
not to undertake such proceeding
Senator Chiffon has made no an
nouncement since his return to WASH
ington as to what course he will pur-
sue, but he has been advised by Dem
ocratic leaders, in view Of the major
; ity of Mr.. Sutherland over him OF ap-
proximately 5000, not to make any
contest.
: Probably, with the exception of Mar
ion and Logan counties, the recent
election, at which Senator Chiffon was
defeated for reelection by Mr.. Suther-
land, was one Of the cleanest and
freest from fraudulent practices or
any election held in the State in re-
cent years, and if there were FRAUDS
in those counties the returns would
show clearly that they were NOT com
mitted in the interest of any Republi,
, can candidate. The Republicans had
! little money and even if there had
been a desire to corrupt the eleclor'
ate there would not have been the
/ means to accomplish it, while agents
of the Department Of Justice were
in evidence in the counties. where II
has been charged Republican frauds
have been committed in the past TO
see that the ballot was interrupted
this year. They did not visit the coun-
ties of Marion, Logan and others
where the grossest frauds in the last
election are alleged 10 have occurred.
Possibly it was the other fellow
fraud they were trying 10 ferret out,
and not their own.
One Reason Why
1t may be that the reason Senator
Chiffon is being advised by his friends
not TO undertake a contest against
Howard Sutherland is that they know
if an investigation is started 1t will
probe as deeply into the situation in
Marion county as in any other, and
it is also said this is one Of the reas
ons why Senator Chiffon would like
to make contest. All is not harmony
between Senator Chiffon, defeated,
and those who were in charge OF the
Democratic campaign and saw 10 1t
that John Cornwell was elected. II
is said here to be very difficult for
Senator Chiffon 10 see how Cornwell
ran so far ahead of his opponent
while Chiffon ran so far behind his,
and contest for the Senatorship,
which would involve full investig ga
tion in Marion county and other
places in the State where Cornwell
ran ahead OF Chiffon. might throw
some light on the subject which would
explain the matter 10 the defeated
Senator. In view Of the fact that
greater efforts seem to have been
made in Democratic official quarters
to elect Cornwell than TO elect Chill.
ton, it is said Senator Chiffon would
welcome an investigation in Marion
county so the responsibility might be
officially determined. and it may be
for this reason that he seems inclined
not 10 follow the advice Of his friends
to drop the contest.