The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-01-05
DELEGATE CONVENTION
PROBABLY NECESSARY

started off in West Virginia, and the
many and conflicting personal axes
to be ground SO apparent to the
naked eye at this time, fails to justify
the hope Of any happy-family or gem
eral brotherhood arrangement based
on movement held to the ground
with no stronger guide ropes than
this simple proposal, to-wit: we
will all get together and agree in ad-
vance"
Discussing this proposition today,
West Virginian Of prominence and
no illusions as to human nature de-
clared that II West Virginia was TO
have a delegation that would get to
Chicago before the big show was
over, or II the party expected to flg-
ure in the favorite son preliminaries,
n scheme would have to be evolved
which was more feasible and prac-
ticable than any he had yet heard of.
otherwise" he said, West Virginia
will not get to the convention until
after all refreshments are served"
II don't think that would make
any great difference to the average
Republican voter" he continued,
but It sure would make very great
difference to the party leaders. They
have been figuring for some time on
helping their individual plans for the
future by helping some presidential
candidate, and they are no more
agreed on the candidate to help than
they are agreed at this time on how
to 60 about selecting a delegation.
Each of what may be designated rs
big leaders has picked presidential
favorite of his own, placed his bet as
1t were, In this blind pool of national
politics. and Is going to do what he
can to win his bet. The winner or
winners have pleasant dreams OF
finding the welcome mat turned face
upwards when he or they call at the
White House in the next administra-
ton, which they feel surer isgoing
10 be a Republican administration
than they feel that they have drawn
the lucky number from the blind
pool.
when the national committee set
the date of the convention on the
day following the West Virginia pri-
mary 1t was a blow to those ambt-
tious president-makers. Yes, stree, 1t
was some blow. 1t knocke out all the
plans that had been talked over with
| first this one and that one of the
special representatives Of "favorite
sons" who had visited the field to
talk plans with them. There was to
be some stirring preliminaries, and
series of engagements over dele
gates which would make the battle of
the Marine or the second Ypes look
like a desulotory exchange Of shots
on the outlying trench line. 1t was
a chance for leaders to lead, and
those who won to get q rootfold IN
the real big game. And then the ma
tional committee knocked the props
out from under.
THE question now is how to undo
this damage, and this is question
that the chaps who are trying to fig
ure themselves into the real and
worthwhile circle of national Re-
publican politics would like somebody
10 find an answer for them. have
been doing my best, and think can
come across with solution that will
solute and sooth, II anybody has any
better, they are welcome to spring ii
and no jealous feelings on my part.
But they should not delay. II we arc
going to have any exciting prelimi-
naries over the delegates, and there
by give the men who have ambitions
to be dealt hand in the big game
a chance, we will have to get busy
at once.
MY plan is to hold a convention,
to be called regularly by the state
committee, this convention to nomi-
nate our can 1idates for the supreme
court, pass get of resolutions par
toking somewhat of the nature Of a
party platform, and TO nominate six
teen delegates 10 the national con-
vention. which nominees are to be
suggested or recommended to the
party at the primary as deserving OF
its unanimous vote. This convention
should be held early IN May. That
would give time for spirited con-
test to be waged by anybody who, de-
sirous Of attending the convention as
a delegate, to bring his candidacy be-
fore the state convention In the best
and most favorable light This con-
vention would be open to all corners,
with square deal for all. In fact,
the more the merrier, and will help 10
make 1t a convention that will do the
party in the state more good in the
campaign that is to follow than any
thing else that Is likely to happen, II
such scheme as this is not adopted
ut stands to reason that a list Of