The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1920-03-11
Democratic Committee Endorses
John W. Davis for President
,arkersburg. w. Va. March 9.

Parkersburg, W. Va, March q
The Democratic state executive
committee this afternoon endorsed
John W. Davis as candidate for pres
iGcnt OF the United States, S. A. Hays
ior Commits sioner of Internal Revenue
and also gave warm endorsement of
the National and state administra-
tons.
on account of delayed trains the
meeting of the committee was not
begun until two o'clock. too late for
the Sentinel to give an extended re-
mort of the proceedings.
On motion of c. w. OsentOn the
chairman was directed to send tele-
gram Of coincidence to Robert s. Carr,
a member of the committee, who is ill
and was unable TO attend the meeting
Of the committee.
on motion of Mr. OsentOn no action
was taken at this time in relation to
filling the vacancies on the commit
tee.
On motion of ]. III. Marcum Chair
man Shaver was directed to name a
yice-chairman of the committee, wo-
man. who will have charge of the
woman's department of the campaign.
Governor CornweIIs letter.
Chairman c. L. Shaver read the fol
lowing Letter from Governor John J.
Cornwell
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
CHARLESTON
March 8, 1920.
Hon. c. l.. Shaver, Chairman, Demo
cratic State Committee. Parkots
burg, w. Va.
Dear Sir:
have been told that resolution
viii be- offered before your committee
tomorrow endorsing me and placing
me before the country as candidate
for the Democratic nomination for
President of the United States, and
that the committee may adopt it.
Since that information was received
| have given the matter mature
thought and have come to the conclu-
sion | should ask your committee not
to take that step.
II is needless to say that feel
greatly flattered that any of my
friends or party associates should
deem me worthy. l am grateful to
them beyond words for their conf
dence ard their friendship, but there
are a number of reasons which make
it impossible for me to obtain my own
consent to being put forward as a
Presidential candidate.
First, l do not imagine l could be
nominated, and l would not, therefore,
want 10 be a handicap upon the dele
gates, or any of them, from this state
in exercising their preference in vot-
inS for candidates who might actually
stand some chance OF success.
Then there has been considerable
discussion of the availability of Hon.
John w Davis, the distinguished am
bassador to the Court of St James.
! His service in Congress and as Solici-
tor General of the United States, be-
fore going TO England gave him a
wide acquaintance and merited
reputation as a man of sterling char
acter and great ability | could not
permit myself to be placed in a posi-
| ton where | Knight appear to be a
rival of Ambassador Davis, should his
friends desire to present his name to
the convention. Indeed, hiC reputa-
ton and acquaintance are such that
he would be much more formidable
candidate than | could hope TO be, if
| your committee and the Democratic
party of the state would present his
name to the national convention,
which | hope they may do.
But last, and most important: The
people of West Virginia were generous
enough to elect me governor. They
expect, and have a right to expect,
me to siye the work my full time and
attention. That have done for three
years, without a single days rest or
vacation, the close application being
necessary as a result of the war and
| what has followed it, That work is
not at an end Were / offered as a
| candidate for President by the Demo.
| Gratis of the state, in justice to- them
and to myself, l would be Obliged to
/ devote much time to- the candidacy
/ That / could not Go without either
neSlecting the duties of the office
mold or greatly overtaxing INV
I strength, already somewhat impaired
| by the close application of the past
fnree years
feel that ! should not use the
/ office OF governor in an effort ia
reach attet another 1 have always
I bsIiat. ef .f,.t r;J,f;t.. 49,