The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-05-02
GROOMING JOHN ", DAVIS AS
CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY
snenia, rasnstch to The 1nselliseneer.

Special Dispatch TO The 1ntelliSeueef.
WASHINGTON. D. c. May 1.-P1ans
are under consideration by leaders OIL
the Democratic party in West Virgins
to launch a presidential boom for JONI
" Davis. ambassador TO England.
which will have all the TRIMMINGS ana
inyestitnre Of the real thing. The enter
prise Is contingent upon just one thins'
whether OF not President Wilson VIII oe
a candidate for a third term II ne tsll
a candidate" then the West |irSlo'SAns
are going TO make an organized iautfSI1'
ing Of Davis boom. g,
That is settled. authoritative. ana
the Democratic leaders in the national
rroup here SO understand II. None OIL
them has sought to discourage II. I'm
the contrary. most Of them nave en-,
couraged il. They advise that II "ouiu
be entirely appropriate TO touch OH Il
boom for Ambassador DAVIS. inteno'ns
tit to be a preliminary fecler OF iHHo-
icratic sentiment with regard ~ him in
tconncction with tho nomination. MT.
Davis is known to all of them. and his
fall around ability is unouesuonea IN
3anv Democratic quarter. His ,availa Dill
;i,y. us his, friends explain it. ranks
! The West Virginians who have the
tmattcr OF the prospective Davis candi-
dacy in hand are Col Clarence w. Wat
son and the men associated with him IN
state notifies. Governor John J. Corn
we'll is said to be another one OF the
influential leaders interested IN the pro-
posed PLAN, Likewise National Commit
teenan John T. McGraw. Col. watson.
however, according to reliable report, Is
the real leader and directing executive
Of tho movement. Il ts said that he has
worked out a scheme of organization
for the Davis candidacy dctTn TO de-
tail; that he has discussed It with ma
tional leaders. rith tho result that hc
encouraged 10 go on with IL. But
whether he will or not depends on WHAT
President Wilson does.
What Wilson will do is still DOUBTFUL
Party sentiment is divided on what his
plans are or may be. IN some circles
the opinion is strong that nc Will. IL
prospects seem At all favorable TO him.
undertake 10 succeed himself. ELSE
where the belief prevails that h" Will
quit the stage at the climax OF great
historical epoch and become the MS
toriar OF that epoch. Gossip here has
It that he has gone so far in his plans
for retirement as to center into con-
tracts with publishers for the work ne
is to do: that the terms are generous.
ana that fortune aWAtS MS IOFNi''N ~
the task Of writing the history OF
these times Should this come to pass.
then there will be a clear field for
presidential candidates. with no limit
on. and everybody having more or less
Of an equal chance TO start with. That
is the expected situation Which Col
Watson Is said to believe will took very
inviting for the launching Of n t7tvts
boom. When tina; develops. it is declar-
ed. Col. Watson and his associates Will
be prepared, to play their high card and
to see the game through TO a finish.
In a letter from Ambassador Davis
received by3 an intimate friend. Of his
who is high in official circles. this week
in reply tossorne reference" to the prcs:-
Dental campaign which tho. friends let
ter had. contained. Mr.. Davis is report
ed as merely saying that he thought
that the nomination was remote" from
him.
There are many prominent Democrats
in Washington who. like Col. Watson
and his West Virginia associates. hold
a diametrically opposite opinion on that.