Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-12-21
Wishinetoa Letter.
from Geo. w. suznnsrs.)
Washington. December 19.

The Democratic party has been place,
| in . new light before the old soldiers o
! the country BY reason Of the passag,
of the Sherwood Pension bill, which i
strictly Democratic measure having
been opposed by the Republicans up t
the last moment when . few Of then
voted for it because It. was the only
measure they saw possibility Of pass.
ing. The Democratic Eongressmer
from West Virginia all took an active
part in the passage of his bill. Con
/ gresham Hamilton - member Of the
Committee on Invalid Pensions assisted
m the preparation Of the bill, voted for
it Ia Committee and made a speech
favoring it upon the floor of the House
Congressman Brown and Littlepage al
SO spoke in behalf of the bill in the
House and the votes of all four Demo-
Gratis from West Virginia were recorded
for the bill. Thousands of old soldiers
will be affected by this bill if it passes
the Senate as it is expected to and will
receive pensions which hitherto they
have been unable to get or increased in
their existing pensions. It is learned
that there is possibility of President
Taft vetoing the bill. That is some
thing over which the Democrats have
no control. They have done their part
in passing the bill.
Another row in the Republican party
in West Virginia has developed in re-
gard to the postmastership at Piedmont.
G. 6. Goshorn is the present Postmaster
but his term has expired and he is seek
ing reappointment. Having been a
supporter of Congressman Sturgiss as
against the State Machine the latter
organization is now unfriendly to Mr..
Goshorn. and former Senator Scott who
has charge of the patronage distribution
is said to be supporting Forsythe Har-
rison for the place. Harrison is an old
soldier and fully identified with the said
organization.
But Mr.. Goshorn is the Father-in-law
of State Senator Hood, who is one OF
the hold-over Senator's, and will have a
vote in the election of the next U. S.
Senator. Davis Elkius who is expect
ed to be the Republican caucus nominee
for Senator, has been appealed to and
very naturally he desires to be of as
slstance to the hold over Senator.
With Scott opposing Goshorn and
Davis Elkins using his influence in his
behalf the poor old State Machine seems
to be about to slip another cog.
f Postoffices continue to cause trouble
for the Republican machine in West
Virginia The reappointment of John
o. Huey, as Postmaster at Warrington
was recommended by former Senator
Scott and State Chairman Highland,
and the nomination was sent to Senate
by the President. Opposition by Re
publicans has developed and at their
request confirmation of Mr.. Huey has
been postponed with the expectation
that charges will be preferred against
him. The nature of the charges has
not been made known. but opportunity
will be afforded for their presentation.
A pleasant gathering of the Demo
cratic delegation of West Virginia, as
it should be, was had the other day
when the four Democratic Congress-
men and Rankin Wiley, who is con-
testing the election of Congressman
hughes, all had lunch together in the
House Restaurant. George I. Neal
OF Huntington, Vice. President of the
Democratic State Committee, and
Harry L. Snyder of the ShepherdstoWn
Register were also in the party
Sunday, Jan. Z. has been set apart by
the House as a day of special memorial
services commemorative of the late
Senator Stephen B. Elkins. Several
of the West virginians are expected to
take part in the exercises.
Senator Chiffon and Congressman
Brown were at Charles Town last
Thursday and addressed the Order of
Red Men at that place. Thew were
cordially received by the people Of JEFF
ferson County
Senator Watson has been one of the
busiest men in Congress since the hear
ings before the Interstate Commerce
Committee of the Senate were begun.
The committee holds daily sessions and
Senator Watson has been regular In
attendance; scarcely missing session
and taking deep interest in the pro-
ceedings, Frequently he has interro-
gated witness before the Committee
and his questions show the interest he
is taking in the matters before the
Committee.
Judge Dayton, of the Northern Dis
trict Of West Virginia. was here few
days ago on his way to Richmond and
spent some time in urging upon Con-
gressmen the passage of the bill pro
viding for an additional judge in the
Fourth U. s. Circuit in order to relieve
himself of some of the extra duties inn
posed upon him when he is called upor