The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-11-17
district organization as a nucleus.

Mr. Neely's activities do not har-
monte with the occasional report~that
is started now and then that National
Committeeman Watson may decide to
take that nomination himself and fear.
lessly play what is believed would be
for him a long-shot chance with the
highly esteemed 6overeigns at the bal
let box. The outcome Of candidacy
by him for the nomination would be
less dubious of success than his fate
ct thepolls would be. according to the
opinion Of some reputed wise public
sentiment gaugers. Howsoever that
may be. Mr.. Watson has the party or
lanization sewed up in bag. and he
could do big things to help others as
we'll as himself. Whether he has nod
ded approval to Congressman Nicely to
proceed with his pursuit of the allur-
ing senatorial .apparation, there is no
competent testimony at hand. But
taere are good many heretofore good
suessers VINO guess that he has. Their
reason for it is that they Believe that
Nicely wouldn't go as far as he has
zone unless he got the signal from the
big, silent boss 10 go ahead.
Here, 1t is the talk that finished
race between Chiffon ard Nelly would
be close one. The best OF the politi-
caltalent say that. Both are glib talk
crs and are capable of injecting a lot
Of highfalutin oratorical stuff into the
contest for the excitement and delec.
tation of that part of the patriotic pro-
:etariat which goes In strong for that
sort of entertainment. On the assump-
ion that the organization, influence
and potential resources of National
Committeeman Watson would be
thrown behind Nicely should be deval-
on speed, stamina and staying quail
ties, the office holders would be hook.
cd upon the horns of dilemma
whether in gratitude to support Chill
ton or from q sense of self.preserva-
ton and desire to run with the ma.
chine and play in with the man who
controls the party organization with
an at-present fnvincible control. who
Is now and probably will continue to
be for some years, virtually supreme
in authority and command. The mat
ter Of making decision of this kind
would be fraught with big importance
to the payrollers. There is that chance
that Chiffon might fail to come back.
and should he fail to do that next year,
he would likely be finally and com.
pletely done for in political way. But
Watson would be by the very same tok-
en- stronger entrenched In party leader.
ship than ever.
This casual review OF the week
would be incomplete Without chroni.
cling a new phase of the political out.
look which centers about the name and
personality Of Governor Cornwell. A
report was brought to town by Dem.
ocratic official of no mean consequence
in that party to the effect that there
was talk in inner party circles of Corn.
well getting himself into the senator.
ial running. And the report has II
that he would not be averse to seeing
q situation in the party ensue which
would make candidacy upon his part
logical, and resembling somewhat q
party patriot answering the call OF
duty. Running for governor, 1t is said,
was an attractive pastime to Mr.. Corn.
well, but staying in Charleston and be.
ing governor, after all the excitement
OF the campaign has passed away, and
the newness and honors Of the posi-.
ton have palled in the months sue.
ceeding the Inauguration, is boss OF
an entirely different color, so to say,
Governor Cornwell, man whose sense
Of the proprieties is acute, would not,
1t is said. openly and bluntly force his
candidacy, but he would not be put
cut If the situation was manipulated
and developed by his friends SO as to
make a candidacy by him seem to be
demanded by the party as expedient,
1t may not be going outside the limits
q truthful narration to mention the
face that already an experimental un.
dertaking to set the stage for him to
that end has been started. A-call.to.
party-duty gag is One Of the time-worn
camouflages (if that be the plural OF
Frances contribution to our language)
OF politicians. very frequently success
,.4l .+sif ~