Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-16
WEST VIRGINlA'S MUDDLE
Prospect That Golf Will Soon Be Governor.
LEGISLATURE TO BE RECONyENED

It Is in Governor Wilson's Power to Retain the Chair Two Years if He Chooses-But He Will Give the Contestants a Chance for a Faar and Legal Settlement.
 CHARLESTON, Wa, March 16-The legis- lature is to be convened by Governor Wilson in special session, probably about June l, te canvass the gubcrnatorial returns and ''de clare" for whom a majority of ballots was cast. By the decision of the supreme court of appeals on the petitions of Gen. Golf anc Senate President Carr, Governor Wilson. title to tho otfice is unimpeachabie until sue! canvass and declara tion shall have been made by the legislature.
 The legislature which refused to canvas: the returns is no longer in session, its term having expired by limitation. It is consid cred probable that Gen. Golf will be found tc have received a majority of the votes and will succeed to the office. MT. Flemings con test is based on the alleged illegahty of some votes counted for Golf. The case has bee1 full of technicalities throughout, and a re- vision of the constitution is the only effectua means to prevent repetition of such difficult ties.
 
 West Virginia, had an interview with Plesi dent Harrison at the White House. Las night he told q correspondent there was nc doubt that MT. Mason, of West Virginia would be named to the senate next week fol commissioner of internal revenue. This i. one of the most highly paid offices under tht administration, carrying a sa.ary of $6,O0O year, and there has been a vigorous competi ton for it.
 Gen. Golf feels certain that sooner or later he will be duly declared elected governor o West Virginia, and properly installed int> that office
 ''The legislature of the state" said the gen eral, "ls the returning board in the election Of governor. Under the constitution the legislature is bound to meet once in two years The new legislature has had its meet ing, and has failed to perform its constitu tlona1 duty as returning board. thought there might be some way of compelling tn legislature to perform this duty, but the SUI preme court of the state says mo- The sam court has also decided that Governor Wllso, must hold over until the contest is settled The only way to settle it Is for the holding over governor to call 0 special session of the legislature for that purpose. It is within his power to refrain from calling the legislature together at all until the next legisa ture has been elected. The new legis lature is bound under the constitutlo. to meet in January, 1891. If Mr. Wilson chooses to exercise the powers which rht courts and the extraordinary state of affairs now existing, have given him, the quest4or as to who was elected governor last Novem ber may remain unsettled for two years t, come, but l do not anticipate such delay The Democrats admit that I received a ma jority of the votes Their only claim is tha, they can throw out enough of these votes tc give the election to my opponent, MT Elem ing. When the dispositions have ail beer taken and the papers in the case are com plete, imagine that MT. Wilson, now acting governor, will cali the legislature together ir special srssion, and that the legislature will declare me elected. l expect that in the course of a few weeks the Democrats will conclude to accept the situation and all will be right"