The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-05-30
Democrats
Fight Bill
Cofman Bill Providing Primary at
Once L = ed II TO 13 After
Fight.
PRIMAR ye NOW
UP TO THE HOUSE.
lhlrteef emOcrats Fight TO Save
Watson, But Go Down TO
lgnOminiOus Defeat.
BY CAL. T. YOUNG.
IntelliRenoer

Charleston. w. va. May 80.
rIehtinS 10 the last minute to save
the master. throwing out one subter-
luSem after another and at every
move adroltly evading the real issue.
the pledge regulators on the Demo
cratic side OF the senate tonight went
down TO defeat, when the Coffman pri-
mary bill was passed by a vote of II
10 l3. The entire afternoon was taken
up IN debate. From the Democratic
side was hurled the declaration that
the governor had no authority 10 con
Nene the legislature in special ses-
sion. This was the first expression of
senator Woods Of Barbour whom tho
Democrats have decreed shall be their
choice for the supreme court iudra-
snip In reward for his remuneration OF
his party's platform. followed on down
on the Democratic side by McIntire.
Mac' 'orkle. French and even Pettrkin.
EVade the Issue.
french was the only senator on the
Democratic side who made any pre-
tense TO discuss a primary bill. The
others took occasion To ramble of in
an ancient history of the days before
the fall OF Rome. and the byWays OF
ancient political history in The nation
and state. All pointed TO what
great crime was about To be- com
mitted If the CofNnan bill was enacted
and what a greN, benefit would be-
given TO mankind II the French bin
was passed. Not one found "a great
flaw in the bill under consideration
except 10 criticize the fact that the
Republicans had amended their plll in
many respects after 10 had been
passed. The subterfuges were noIy
met on the Republican side by Con-
man. President Hatfield. Smith OF
Cabeli, England and Grimes They
pointed out the inconsistency OF the
Democrats IN doing what they could
10 defeat platform pledge for the
purpose OF saving their boss. The
Democrats were severely criticized
for their failure 10 pick out the flaws
they claimed 20 exist or 20 offer any
amendments when the bill was on its
amendment stage. This was argued
as an admission that they We're not in
favor of any kind Of n primary
measure.
Hatfield Urges Primary.
President Hatfield was the last
speaker He declared that ~ WAS
with a great deal of pleasure that he
was able 70 show that Mcdowell
County was I'm favor Of primary.
that he would not vote for any bill
shat would disf-anchisc any voter. be-
cause 30 was un-Amcrican. that bo 70.
allied that great majority OF tho
people OF the state were in favor OF
q primary and that De was willing 20
yeiid any personal preference 10 the
viii ~ tho people "f have always
been q believer in the pc~pefuati0n
o. party organization. We should NOT
wipe ont tho line , dcmarkafiou" no
said. be met the criti m thar the bill
had been frequently amended hy de-
clariug thar 30 wne u0f % dcfrImeuf 20
bin but ON rho other hand showed
willingness 20 accept amendments.
Replying 20 fhn fhru-f- from Mac.
Cork'c. ho stated that ha was willing
20 be- shorn ~ hI- power in southern
West VIRGINIA b. fle enactment 0f a
primary BIN would dep. ivo him ~ fhe
power fr" senator from rtraufr had
accredited him with having
French Bill Const.tutorsL
Senator Coffman dvoit af Iereff on
fNe constitutional phase pf f. bin
a0f fhoNrf that thD French hI Was
nor constitutional because f.sro u.-
no provision bon fhn Wc.f virginia
con7tfuf.on giving fho urhf fo tta
voters fo enact legislation Ife con
tended "a measure could not boz sub
ni'f"f fo them to Boo approved because
~" constitution did mot ~.te hat
rirhf ar1 fr7f rho Democrat. -rr.
VnII aware of fho fact got uuud afarI
nr arl uee m a- a suhfrrirrr Tho
Harrison Senator declared fhn rrr0
c-a'a Dad rcs0rfed f0 Ffirnrrr rar
eraIIle- and maGc mo- o.for to -9
o. fhn mo1f of fhn m.r.r Hrr'tIr.
~ .HH ..