The Washington herald., 1911-01-22

William Chiffon AMI Clarence w. Wat
son. who were chosen by the joint caucus
of Democrats in the West Virginia legis-
lature for the two Scholarships, came 10
Washington yesterday and conferred with
Democratic Senators as TO a course of ac-
ton which will meet the situation Great I'd
by the flight of fifteen Republican men,
bers of the West Virginia senate to Gin
cinnati
The two Democratic nominees left for
Wheeling last night, determined to have
the West Virginia legislature-or what is
left of it-elect them on joint ballot. re-
gardiess of the fifteen Republicans who
are hiding in Cincinnati.
The upper house of the West Virginia
Legislature is composed Of fifteen Repub-
licans and fifteen Democrats. The with
drawal of the fifteen Republicans from
the State leaves the fifteen Democrats.
according to Republican contention, un-
able to organize. The Democrats, how
ever, declare the Legislature was OrEan-
lied before the Republicans withdrew.
and that the Democrats now have six
teen of the thirty members. one Repub-
lican having been thrown out on charges
of fraud.
Governor Bnlks Plans.
Gov. Glasscock. who declared that he
will not sign the commissions OF the two
Democratic Senatorial nominees if they
are named on joint ballot of the legisla-
ture as at present constituted.
The Democrats on the United States
Senate Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tiOnS and a number of prominent lawyers
on the Democratic side conferred with
the West Virginians yesterday. The DEM
Ocratic Senators finally gave il as their
opinion that it is not necessary for Chill
ton and Watson to have credentials from
the governor of West Virginia if they
have IL ajority of the votes on joint
ballot The United States Senators say
that if the fifteen Democrats of the West
Virginia upper house meet with the lower
house next Wednesday and give Watson
and Chiffon a majority on joint ballot.
they cannot be unSeOted by the Senate.
At the conference here Senator Clark, of
Arkansas. a member of the Judiciary
Committee, cited the case of Senator Call.
of Florida. which, it was contended. af-
fords precedent for the West Virginia
situation.
A majority of the Florida senate re-
manned away from the joint Legislative
session which gave Call majority of
the vote of both branches of the leGisla-
ture. The governor of the State held
that Call had not been elected and ap-
pointed Davidson, who was commissioned
Senator. This was in the first session
of the Fifty-second Congress.
The Senate. after considering the case,
awarded the seat to Call. and Senator
Curpie, who wrote tine majority report for
the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions, held that while there was no quo
rum of the senate present. the joint
assembly was not composed of the two
houses. but of members thereof Again.
the report of the committee declared that
"a ma jority OF all of the members elected
TO both houses without any reference to
quorum, either Of the senate or the
house
Confer with Republicans.
The West Virginia Senatorial nominees
also conferred with Republican attorneys
here, who advised them that their cleo
ton on joint ballot by a majority of the
members of the Legislature will be legal.
and that their admission to the Senate
cannot be denied them if the governor
refuses to give them commissions.
a Republican Senator a member of the
Committee on Privileges and Elections,
was quoted as saying that neither Wat
son nor Chiffon would be permitted to
take his seat as member of the Senate
until all doubt is removed as to .he right
of the Democratic members of the West
Virginia senate to participate in the joint
legislative contest
Considerable talk was heard among
Democratic Senators yesterday of the
possibility of an inquiry to ascertain
who is paying the expenses Of the fifteen
Republican members of the West Nir-
ginia senate who have efid to Cincinnati