Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-02-02
Sensation In the Legislature.

West Virginia IN recent years was
sprung in Charleston last Saturday,
when there was published a letter
from Charles D. Elliott, .. S. Mar
shall for West Virginia, to John Wor-
Ellington, an official and secret agent
of the Standard Oil Company. Eli
oft is well-known Republican and
professional politician, and has for
years been a notorious lobbyist about
the Legislature. During the present
session he has either been employed
or has been seeking employment from
the Standard Oil Company to infu-
ence legislation. A bill to regulate
natural gas companies has been before
the Legislature, and the letter Elliott
wrote Worthington was in regard to
this bill. Just how the letter was OBJ
tanned is not known, but it is in Eli
otis handwriting and its authenticity
has not been denied.
The letter seeks to give WOrthing-
ton the impression that Elliott is very
active and intimate with the party
leaders, and leads to the belief that
there was deal between the Repub-
lican candidates last fall and the
Standard Oil Company. If it is to be
taken for what it is worth, the letter
involve. number of prominent mem
bers of the Legislature and Republican
State oficials-elect. Elliott says about
the gas bill:
"Since the House adjourned have
had long talk with Speaker Gross
cup and he feels confident that we
can defeat the bill in the House, even
if the Senate passes it. Our argu-
ment among members of the House
is that the bill is in the interest OF
the large companies to the detrlment
of the smaller ones. There are fewer
grafters in the House than l ever
knew before, and we seem to have
them we'll in hand. The Wood coun-
ty delegates have been entirely tract
able and l think will remain so. You
understand, of course, the fear IN the
breast of the average delegate from
the rural districts, and they are IN
the minority. Now, as to the Senate,
I am puzzled as to the true situation
there. Blizzard is trying to hold
their original eleven together, and
claims FIVE Democrats, which, if true,
gives them a clear majority, not
counting few Of our original fellows
who are susceptible to still change OF
heart
The letter goes on to say: "The
whiskey men have Blizzard employed
and they are ever lavish with the
cash and this force, ofcourse, cements
with the other. They have
a guard over Caldwell in the person
of The Chairman of the Wood County
Committee, smart fellow who Is
rooming with him. McDermott, Of
course, doesn't know how to do things
vet, but | am giving him all the in
formation l can and stayed over to
help him personally. We are doing
all we can to break their ranks. Daw-
son feels confident that they will
weaken every day and May joins in
the belief yet we are short of floor
managers in the Senate at best. Mar
shall is awfully sore at the admins
trstion, as is Cole. McDermott and
Swisher are to have meeting to-
night Of some Of their friends, to have,
if possible, a clear-cut understanding
l find McDermott is personally your
friend, as be dropped that to me, not
knowing even that know you.
The publication of the letter stirred
up the greatest feeling. The Demo-
Gratis charged that it proved that
there had been deal between Gov
ernor.elect Dawson and the Standard
Oil people. Mr.. Dawson came out
In an INTERVIEW III WuICu AO otAOuS -
denied that this was the case, and
utterly repudiated the suggestion
that he was seeking to influence mem
bers in their vote upon the bill, de-
nying all of Elliott's imputations.
Monday Senator Cornwell, whose
name had been mentioned in the letter,
made ringing speech, in which he
denounced the alleged conspiracy and
skinned Elliott. He offered resolu-
ton demandingea thorough invsstl-
cation, and it was passed by both
houses. President Northcott appoint
ed as members of the investigating
committee on the part of the Senate,
L. J. Forman, Republican; Jacob
Fisher, Democrat; Speaker Grosscup
appointed L. G. Powell and l. G. Herr
don, Republicans, and E. B. Carlin,
Democrat.