The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-05-20
Campbell
Opposes Delay
Cabell County Delegate, In Rinalnq
Speech in House, Denounees
Democratic Stand.
WANTS PRIMARY LAW
AT PRESENT SESSION
Opposes the Glikeson Motion TO Name
Commission TO Report Bill at
the Next Session.
III CAL T. YOUNG.


Charleston W. Va May 10
Judge Campbell. in a speech in the
House opposing the adoption OF the
Gilkeson resolution to create a COM
mission to draft election laws and re-
port at the next regular session, said:
Il oppose the adoption OF this reso-
luton. In view OF the State Demo
cratic platmorm OF 1908. I regard this
resolution as party pcrfidy a subter-
fuge. a scuttllng OF the Democratic
ship. thing worse than cowardice
It's adoption cannot be justified on
any good or just grounds. II is die
tated by blind partisanship: II was in
spired by an appeal to party preju-
dice. II confers ignorance and in
competency on the part OF the Demo
Gratis of this House TO draft an act for
a primary. u attempts to cast doubt
and uncertainty about the propriety
OF any primary election law. notwith-
standing the fact that about one-half
! OF the states have laws that are State
wide In their operations.
The Coorer bill so-called. passed
] this House last winter by vote OF
/ = for 10 against. The same bill
before that time. had passed the
: House OF Delegates twice AT separate
sessions Of the West Virginia legisla-
ture- Have We lost our cunning since
the regular session?
Urges Duty on Lawmakers.
Il he general subject Of nominating
all candidates for public office by a di-
rect primary election has been before
the public for discussion for many
years last past. and there is therefore
no excuse for the many learned law
yers OF this body or for the expert
enced lay members TO cast OF the
duty which rests on them 10 draft an
act and 10 pass Il for enactment.
1t is no excuse 10 say that the gov
ernor has called us here I'm hot instead
of cold weather 10 legislate on this
subject. We have ALREADY been here
long enough IN the heat Of the weather
. land IN the heat Of dodgingl 20 have
. passed a primary election law. n IS
not for those who believe that party
platforms are pledges of good faith
rather than badges of fraud and de-
ceit. now that We have a golden op-
portunity 10 pass general state wide
mandatory primary election law. 10
say that the extraordinary occasion
did not exist justifying tho governors
call. lie alone IS the judge of the oc-
ity FOR the extra session.
The Cure Needed
"If such a law can cure such other
wise incurable party troubles 30 Ger
tainly has great virtue in 81 and Is
evidently a good thing. and West Vir.
zinia is entitled 20 such good law
The motive for opposing rho enact
ment of tho law is partisan entirely
and unstatosmanlike
81 have NOT tho slightest doubt in
my own mind that it i- perfectly com
potent for fhfq session of the loris-
lafuro under the governor call 20 pro-
vide in any draft OF primary law
that no ono shall bo allowed fo vote
Iu any primary election without hav-
inr been first registered NIeo % pro
vide that tho county court shall ap-
point REGISTRARS under fhr existing
rcgirfrafion law f0r Tho purpose OF
any primary election
OF am not now prepared f1 aoy that
fhis extra session d. without power
under tto cau to appoint an nd in-
terri commission aa couf.mp plated hv
fhr resolution. but fhrro ia some
ground for doubt on fte subject
"Iu conclusion. lrf mo- aar thar ir.
doprudonfv OF any Obligation under
fhn platform 0f zoos end especially
under ms rcrs0nal pledge tp flo vof
ers rf rahcI county. made during fio
rarvHFs and before my election fu fhia
Iodr. . firmly beloved in state wide
mandatory primary election Jaw.
fh0r1ughF0lrr Ir 1u pf ifs prov .0ua.
and would f0r fh1f reason alone op.
pose fho resolution : regret That o.
majority ~ mv party a7H0rInfea feel
o.
put Q ai.o feel frof q have NOT afravcd
.wav from democratic moor.rgs. buf
stand ou firm ground