Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-09-18
WILL SEEK TO HAVE MEN
IN SYMPATHY WITH HIM
Governors Views viii Probably Cut
Some Ice on Assembly Elections
Brooks Smith Political Gossip of the
Go%vernorship and the Recent Legis-
Iature.
iature.
lBy Ches. Brooks smith.l

(By ChGs. Brooks Smith,
Governor G~lasscock's recent inter,
view, in which he declared that the
prime purpose of his administration
would be to seek TO conserve our nat.
ural gas resources, has attracted much
attention and comment, and thrown
considerable Of a scare into the peo-
pie who have their money invested
in the gas business. 1t has also re-
vived talk of an extra session, some
people believing that they see in the
governors declaration a seeming in
tention to call an extra session.
don't agree with THAT view of it, nor
does the press OF the state for that
matter. Nor, has there been any
change that is noticeable in public
sentiment favorable to an extra ses-
sion since the governor outlined his
views on the gas conservation ques-
ton. In that very interview Governor
Glasscock refers to an extra session
as unlikely.
On this important public question,
as well ais on others in which the gov
ernor is interested, | had the privi-
lege to discuss briefly with him early
in his administration. / believe that
| am violating no condolences when
] say that ait that time, he expressed
the opinion that it would be useless
TIC again call into session a legisla-
ture which had emphatically shown
itself opposed to the tax on coal, Oil
and gas; a public utilities bill; a pro-
Inhibition amendment and a county To-
cal option law; and other proposed
measures in which it was known he
was interested, unless time would
show that there had occurred a rever-
sad of sentiment on the part of the
legislators with regard to those par
ticular matters. Rather. Governor
Glasscock adhered to the belief that
upon these questions it would be we'll
to agitate them in the next campaign,
and try to have delegates and sena-
tors elected next year who would CO.
incide with his opinions as to the
character of legislation that should be
enacted to cover these several issues.
| assume from the governors recent
interview that he still retains that
opinion, and that he realizes the fu-
tility of getting the same legislators
that opposed his known views before
(although he then was the governor
elect TO right-abuut-faee and es-
pouse and vote for them now There
has been no public agitation, and
nothing to cause the lawmakers to
undergo such a violent metamorpho-
sis in so brief a time.
The last legislature, it will be re
called was a pretty stiff-backed and
conservative body. 1t didn't go moon
ing after theories, and when dream
like reforms we're suggested by hon
est-minded and energetic statesmen.
it Immediately assumed an attitude
blase and bored. The tenor of the
discussion was: Let us have a rest
and see what we shall see. In short
there was a reaction from the era Of
pellmell p~anaceaism that had gone be
fore. Why, even the house. for which
it is GAINED almost any iridisent
dream from the mind OF a lotus-eateI
could be put through, delivered a so
lar-plexus blow on Ties bills TO tax the
production and receipts of coal, OF
and gas. 1t did equally as many un
looked foT things, and would probably
have come pretty near doing the same
thing to the prohibition amendment
hadn't it decided IL was a better pc
litical policy to shunt the whole mat
feeling pretty certain that the uppeI
body wouldn't allow it to go through
In the event of a special session be
| ing ca led these same men woult
| again be called to pass or these ques
| tions. There isn't a scintilla of evi
| dence to conduce to the belief tina
they wouldn't vote on them just a
they voted last year. There isn't
sane reason to believe that with th0
SHARPLY defined fight that is to com.
ON the gas issue, now that Governo
GIasscock has thrown down tn
guage, that there could be enough q
a change in the views Of the lawmal
ers by the time an extra sessioi
would be called. to insure the gov
ernor's views being accepted. TIL
result would be nothing done and $50
600 public money squandered or th
himsiest kind OF a hazard. AS I
strengthening the dominant party, ]
would positively weaken it. 1t is nc
likely that the governor viii turn
deaf ear to wise counsel or to publ
sentiment and run the risk of an e1
ira session. More likely, he win max
his views ON these questions an issu
n the next campaign and go to tn
people and ask that they elect legii
lators who will uphold his views.