The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-05-20

OPPOSES DELAY

VI UuLU LII ]
cARELE COUNTY DELEGATE, IN
RINGING SPEECH in House, De,
NoUNcEs DEMocR CRATIC STAND
CHARLESTON, w. Va, May 2O.---
4 Judge Campbell, in speech in the
House opposing the adoption Of the
lGilkeson resolution to create q com
mission to draft election laws and re
port at the next regular session, said:
II oppose the adoption of this reso'
Tuition. In view Of the State Demo
cratic platform of 1908, a regard this
resolution as party perffdy, subter
Huge, a scuttling of the Democratic
shin, a thing worse than cowardice.
Its adoption cannot be justified on
any good or just grounds. It is die
ltated by blind partisanship; 1t was IN
spired by an appeal to party pre1u'
dice. In eonfers ignorance and IN
competency on the part OF the Demo
Gratis Of this House to draft an act for
a primary. 1t attempts to cast doubt
and uncertainty about the propriety
Of any primary election law, notwitn.
standing the fact that about one-halt
Of the States have laws that are state
wide in their operations.
"The Cooper bill, so-called, passed
this House last winter by Q vote Oh
N for to S against The same bill
before that time, had basssd the
House Of Delegates twice at separate
sessions Of the West Virginia legtsFa'
fure, Have we lost our cunning sfnce
the regular session
Urges Duty on Lawmakers. Y
ssl'ttThs General subject OF nominating
all candidates for public office by qt
rect primary election has been before
the public for discussion for; many
Years VA last past, and there is there ore
IA excuse for the many learned hEi
yers of this body or for the expert
enced lay members to cast on me
duty which rests on them to drat9 an
act and to pass 1t for enactment.
at il no excuse to say that the lpy;
ernor has called us here in hot tlnstga
~ cold weather to legislate on this
subject. We have already been here
long enough in the heat OF the weatn, !.
or land in the heat of dodglng) TO
have PASSED a primary election law. 1t
Il not for those who believe that par
ty platforms are pledges of good faith
rather than badges of fraud and de-
ceit now that we have a golden op'
portunity to pass a general State VIDE
mandatory primary election law, to
cav that the extraordinary occasion
did not, exist, justifying the governors
call. He alone is the Judge OF the oc-
casion and must bear the responsible
ity for the extra session.
The Cure Needed.
sIf such law can cure such other
wise incurable party troubles 1t Ger.
tainly has great virtue in It and Is
evidently a good thing, and West Wiz
einia Is entitled to such q good law.
The motive for opposing the enact.
ment OF the law Is partisan entirely
and understandable.
81 have not thes lightest doubt IN
nv own mind that It is perfectly com.
natent for this session of the legis'
iature under the governors call to pro-
vide in any draft Of a primary law
that no one shall be allowed to vote
In any primary election without hav-
ing been first registered. Also to pro.
,,ida that the county court shall ap-
point registrars. under the existing
resignation law for the purpose OF
any primary election.
Il am not now prepared to say that
this extra session is without power
under the call to appoint an 'ad in
teri commission as contemplated by
the resolution, but there is some
ground for doubt on the subject,
an conclusion, let me say that In
dependently OF any obligation under
The platform OF 1908 and especially
under my personal pledge to the yot-
ers Of Cabell county, made during the
canvass and before my election to this
body, / firmly believed in State wide
mandatory primary election law,
thoroughgoing in all OF Its provisions,
and would for that reason alone OPP
pose the resolution. regret that Q
majority OF my party associates feel
justified in voting for this resolution.
But / also feel that I have not strayed
away from Democratic moorings, but
stand on Arm ground"
aH 1 .