Charleston Gazette
Mrs. Brown Makes Reply to Editorial
Woman Candidate for U. S. Senate Resents Comment In Charleston Gazette
Statement Is Issued
July 2, 1922
Kingwood, W. Va., July 1. - That Mrs. William Gay Brown, Democratic aspirant for the nomination for United States Senator had every assurance of the support of former Senator William E. Chilton and that he was the only state leader whom she consulted before making her announcement, is contained in a statement issued by Mrs. Brown at her home here today.
Upon her return from Chicago yesterday, Mrs. Brown stated that she was amazed at a recent editorial in Senator Chilton's paper, the Charleston Gazette, in which he condemned her candidacy and assigned it to influences of Senator C. W. Watson and C. L. Shaver, of Fairmont.
"Senator Chilton was the first man to publicly advocate my candidacy," she declared, "and naturally I wanted to consult him. I did not go to Fairmont and did not consult either Senator Watson or Mr. Shaver in the matter."
Mrs Brown also challenges Senator Chilton's claim to be state representative of the policies of Woodrow Wilson. In her statement, which follows, she mentions the fact that Mr. Chilton turned a deaf ear to President Wilson when he made his famouse [sic] appeal for support at the close of the 1918 campaign.
Mrs. Brown's statement is as follows:
"I have just returned from Chicago and have been shown a copy of Senator Chilton's paper, The Charleston Gazette, of June 23, containing an editorial to the effect that I entered the senatorial race upon the advice and dictation of Senator Watson an C. L. Shaver. I am amazed beyond words at that statement.
Prior to my announcement, I had not been in Fairmont!
I had not seen or consulted Senator Watson or Mr. Shaver! The first Democratic leader to suggest my running for the senate was Senator Chilton! Therefore, I had consulted - Senator Chilton! And I had no reason to expect or suspect this unjust and untruthful attack. At the end of his friendly call, his last words to me were: 'I don't think I will run myself; so if you are going in, go to it!' That was the last message I received from him prior to my announcement. Is it any wonder that I am amazed?"
"Is there any reason why the primaries should be closed after one candidate's announcement? Many women and men from all over the state have urged me to run, but never C. W. Watson or Clem Shaver. The morning after my announcement, I called up Mr. Shaver to ask his co- operation, and he told me frankly that first, last and always he was for John Cornwell.
I stated at once that I had received word of Governor Cornwell's decision not to run, but as he was the leader in our end of the state, if that decision was not final, I would withdraw in his favor at any time. I had told Senator Chilton, I would not enter if he were planning to run. Does that look as if the Watson-Shaver forces were trying to boss the Democratic party through me?
I entered the contest the candidate of no class nor clan, nor set of individuals and desire to encourage no factional fight. Some of the Democratic leaders seem not to re[a]lize that the state will never go Democratic again until the Democratic women are aroused and interested. They are as truly Democratic in principle as the men and can bring the party new vision and strength.
One would gather from The Gazette that only Senator Chilton's candidate can represent the Democratic principles.
It is necessary to defend my party because I happen to enter the race last? As to confining party loyalty to 'lip service' I will challenge the senator to compare my record at the close of the 1922 campaign to his at the close of that of 1918 when President Wilson had sent forth a call for support and endorsement; and the senate was lost by one vote, the Newberry one, and, therefore, the League of Nations and the whole international program was doomed."
"West Virginia is the first state south of the Mason-Dixon and east of the Mississippi to have the opportunity to honor its women by giving its highest office to a woman.
If the editorial writer truly desires peace in the party, the old political tricks of unjust attack and abuse should be forgotten and a new fair-play standard be set for the primary contests.
I absolutely refute every statement made in the editorial under discussion and call upon the writer to acknowledge his mistakes, since there is not a word of truth concerning me in the article."
The above statement of Mrs. Brown was sent to the Gazette with the request that it be printed, which is being done in the spirit of fairness to Mrs. Brown. But the Gazette cannot let anyone, not even a lady, say that Senator Chilton turned a deaf ear to President Wilson in 1918 or at any other time. This paper and Senator Chilton supported President Wilson whole-heartedly and with an accepted fervor for President in 1918. Senator Chilton was not on the stump because Chairman Shaver decided to make a "pussyfoot" campaign. He barred speaking maybe because the "flu" was then raging. Senator Chilton's aged mother was on her death bed during the campaign of 1918, and died a few days after the election. - Editor's Note.
The Gazette last night asked Senator Chilton to comment if he had anything to say. He replied:
"I cannot enter into a personal controversy with Mrs. Brown. But I will say that I never said that I would support any one for the senate till Mr. Neely announced, and I repeat that I said that I would run unless some other dependable person announced flat-footedly and four-square on the Wilson record and policies. I observe that Mr. Neely is the only one who has yet so announced." As to any intimations of my turning a deaf ear to the president's appeal in 1918, that is a joke. mrs. Brown certainly has been training, not only with Senator Chilton's enemies, but with the ex- president's. I have nothing but the kindest felling for Mrs. Brown and I want to remind here that it is Neely who is the candidate against her. I am not running."