The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-15
FOR MANY REFORMS
West Virginia Governors
Message Is Read.
BREAKS WITH STATE MACHINE
Dawson Advocates State Primary
Law and Submission 20 Voters OF
the Much Discussed Prohibition
Amendment 20 the Constitution.
Also FavOrs State secret Service.
sDndnl 10 NE wsshlsE.oa Hs.ala.

SuGClEl 70 he M6shl1Elon tts-al1r
Charleston. ". Va, Jan. I4-Gov. ",
n. o. Dawson, the retiring chief execu-
tive Of West Virginia, N his last bien-
NAL message to the State legislature
breaks with the State leaders in that he
comes out strongly for the submission OF
the prohibition amendment 10 ths people
and for a State primary law 10 Esminate
all candidates for Office from United
states Senator 20 constable
Il is generally believed that the State
Republican leaders viii oppose the sub
mission OF the prohibition amendment to
the constitution 20 the people, and vii
seek 10 Cefeat the move in the State
senate. It is also said that the state
machine" Is opposed 10 a primary system
for the nomination OF candidates. and
VIII also try 10 give il a death blow.
Gov. DawsOn's message IS q lengthy
document, and reviews the affairs OF
West Virginia in minute detail
Treating the subject OF traffic IN intoxi-
eating liquors. Gov. Dawson calls upon
the Republican majority OF tho legisla-
turs 10 carry out the campaign pledge of
the Republican party, which promised 10
pass an adequate local option law. and
10 suDmit TO the vote OF the people an
amendment to the constitution prohibit
ing the liquor traffic in the State
Keep Promises, He Says.
This promise must be kept" said
Gov. Dawson The governor then says:
Public opinion Is more and more de-
manding the elimination Of the saloon
There is a difference Of opinion among
those who are opposed 70 the tram in in
toxicasing liquors as TO the best method
Of accomplishing their purpose. Two
methods are proposed: local option, which
is prohibition within the local territory
voting for il; end Statewide prohibition
The question IS peculiarly one that
should be submitted 10 the people. be-
cause it is one Of the people are
peculiarly interested in and informed
about. Those who believe that local Op-
ton IS the best plan should be ready 70
surrender their belief If a majority be
neve that Statewide prohibition is the
best and those who believe that State
wide prohibition IS the best should
acquiesce in the opinion Of the majority
Il they believe that local option IS the
best.
II you enact q proper local option law,
something Ike the Rose law OF Ohio,
aud then submit the prohibition amend
raent. IN ny judgment you Will have com
piled with the VIII Of the people; and
they are competent 10 choose between
these two methods
If a necessary JwO-thirds vote cannot
be obtained 70 submit the amendment,
advantage can be taken OF the fact that
the constitution expressly provides tadt
the legislature shall have power to pro-
hibit by statute. and an act can be passed
which would be as effective throughout
the whole State as would be the amend
ment. II * should be adopted, submitted
and ratified. Such an act could be passed
and, 7 an inclined to believe. could be
made 10 take effect upon Its ratification
bv majority Of the voters voting upon
the question at the next general election.
Therefore. Il the amendment fails OF
adoption by the legislature the promise
made 20 the people can be substantially
carried out by a statute"
Sentiment Strong for Primary.
Regarding primary elections, Gov. Daw-
son says in part:
There is an overwhelming public senti-
ment IN this State which demands that
the people be allowed 70 choose their po-
liticaI nominees from United States Sen
afOr TO constable by primary elections. The
dominant 7 lrty in this State has prom
ised this euse can be given for a
failure 20 re that promise in letter
and in spirit In my opinion. the future
success Of the Republican party depends
on keeping faith with the peOple-and IL
ought so to depend. Many ingenious ar
gUments will be made 10 excuse you from
keeping this promise, by proposing a
promise in part But halfway measures
viii not suffice"
Gov Dawson also favOrs the creation Of
a pu. 9 service commission with power
and authority as given a similar body in
New York.
The governor declares that the treasury
OF the State is net depleted. as charged
by the Democrats in the recent campaign
He characterizes the reports as bald
falsehOOds." and says that the surplus
at the close Of the last fiscal wear. Sep