West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11
Greater Part Of Legislatures Time
Taken Up In Wranslins.
PRIMARY LAW A STUMBLING BLOCK
Special Correspondents Of The ArSu.

oi opinion is that this is the most strcnu-
Gus and important meeting of the legisla-
ture since the Republicans have gotten
control of the state. The lack of harmony
among the factions is apparent to all.
The Legislature has been i'm session for
nearly thirty days and the greater part of
the time has been taken up in wrangling.
The two factions of the Republican party
are as lar apart as they were before
Swishcr and Scherr withdrew for "thc
sake oi party harmony" On the surface
tins Is being smothorcd as much M posi-
BILE, but the stilctto is kept unshcathed
10y both factions and ready for any enier-
gcncy that may arise.
The only bill Of any Importance which
has been passed so far is the prohibition
amendment. II had pretty smooth sail
ing through the lower house, but il il the
opinion of the impartial observers that
It will have 10 run the gauntlet in the
senate. Both sides, however, express
confidence of winning. Theodore Alvord,
who is leading the fight for the amend
mcnt, has been making some ugly charges
against the senate which has aroused the
ire of the senator's. A resolution has been
passed TO investigate the Alvord charges.
Another thing which has stirred up
| considerable dust is the charges which
Delegate Moore, from Marshall county.
has preferred against the management of
the state penitentiary. Moore, who is "A
Republican himself makes serious charges
against the management OF the pen II
Is now believed that the investigation
must be made il the people are to bc
| placatcd.
One OF the rocks which the factions
Will split on is the primary law. The adj
ininIstratlon wing of the party profess to
bc anxious for n primary law, but they
want the selection Of United States sena-
tors exempted. The administration peo-
pile fear that il the rank and file are al
lowed TO vote for the United States scna-
tors that the lIlkinses. SCOTS, Manns. and
DiNoH5, WHO "ro tho millionaire Of tho
party, would fail TO receive the indorse-
ment of the voters. The Lincoln wing
VIII not accept primary law that does
not include the United States senator's.
They say the party has twice pledged it.
self to give the people this kind of a pri-
mary law, and the withdrawal Of Scherr
was conditioned on this pledge. They
want the pledge redeemed. The Repub-
licans from the "black bclt' are bitterly
opposed TO any kind OF primary law that
includes the southern tier OF counties.
1t was their opposition which defeated
the primary law at the previous session.
Their opposition to n primary law IL that
the white Republicans would not be able
10 nominate white man for Office. They
claim the blacks outnumber them and
primary law would mean the passing Of
the white man from public office. Others
contend that it would not, a. IL would
mean that the horde Of illegal blacks
would not be permitted 10 vote as they
now are by the men who are opposing
the primary law. The Republicans rec
ognize the right Of the colored man TO
vote the Republican ticket, but when il
comes 10 holding public Office he must
wait until the Ethiopian can change his
color.
The one thing, however, which is caus-
ing the chief executive Of the state much
worry and loss Of sleep IL his tax bills.
lie has just awoke 10 the realization Of
the fact that the new tax laws after a
iair trial have proven a dismal failure as
revenue producers. The coal, oil, and
| gas interests which have heretofore. for
some reason, been exempt from the craw
OF tax reform, must now be drafted 10
save the sinking ship OF state. II j. said
that the coal, gas, and oil interests will
strenuously oppose the production tax,
] which, according 10 the knowing ones,
means certain defeat for the bills
Should the prohibition amendment
finally pass and become law the in
crease in taxation will be enormous in
order 10 meet the appropriations. The
| Democrats say IT Is no funeral Of theirs
and they look upon IL az purely family
quarrel. They allege that the "conmu-
nifty Of intercsts' have always supported
the Republican ticket and the party in
return Tor such support has zealously
saicguarded their interests, which has
been gross injustice 90 the middle cIas.
/ Of Taxpayers.
/ The rcprc-cniatiycs from Preston coun-
/ ty are prime iavortcs with their col.
lcaguc- McCmn, who is serving HE
second term, is taking an active part in
the proceeding. Senator Flynn and Dele.
gate Daley are getting their bearings and
no doubt will be- heard from later on.
Frequent inquiries are made abou,
Senator Sam Montgomery aud many OK.
prcssions Of regret that be was not re-.
turned can be heard Montgomery was
universally popular and considered one
Of the ablest men in the senate. lie in.
troduced and got through more bills than
any other member Of the senate.
II is the custom of the members to ~.
semble IN The hotels and discuss "hom,
Affairs" 70 IL worthy Of note that in
every county Of the state they have two
or more factions, and how to harmonic
them and solidify the party is the main
topic Of discussion. They all conccde that
without harmony in the next campaign
the party Is doomed 10 defeat with ~
increase IN taxation and prosperity mo-
IN sight they argue that they cannot hop,
20 win unless they can get together ans
present a solid front 10 The enemy.