Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-04-25
The Special Session.

passed a primary election bill last winter
which was sent over to the Senate where
il was never acted upon. The Senate
stands fifteen Republicans to fifteen
Democrats, so that any Democratic
measure that will be passed must OF
necessity receive some Republican votes
MANY Democrats therefore believe that
the Democratic party can well afford to
wait to redeem its pledge on primary
elections until the Democrats get actual
central of the Sente as they now have OF
the House.
A Republican Governor who justified
the fifteen Senators leaving the State for
pure political advantage will not be sur
prised when the Democratic party
suspects that he would call a session of
the legislature for other than motives of
public good. 1t is openly charged by
some of the press that Ex-Governor
Dawson is really the power behind the
throne in the present Republican State
administration. and that the two purposes
that Dawson has for wanting the extra
session are to increase his own income
as Public Printer. and to advance bis
own interests as Il candidate for United
States Senator.
thinking people all over the State that
Governor Glasscoek failed to mention
the Virginia Debt case as one subject
which should BE- dealt with at the extra
session. Indeed. it would seem that the
Virginia Debt case is much more of an
extraordinary occasion" than could be
the demand for primary election law.
Many other level-headed Democrats
think that the present election law should
be amended. and that the registration
law which was passed at the last session,
while much better than the law which
it superseded, is still far short of the
requirements of the situation IN the great
southern end of the State. 1t is contend
ed that if the election law is susceptible
OF the use made of it in Mingo and
Mcdowell counties last fall, then no
matter how good primary election law
may be passed. we are far from getting
the true expression of the people at the
polls in November. 1t must be remem-
,nbered too, that the Republican party is
now in great straits. 1t has been
dominated for years by committee that
has not the confidence of the Republican
masses. 1t is supposed that the Dawson
machine is getting ready to grind out
another ticket regardless of the will OF
theRepublican masses. and that this ticket
will be the snme. for the reason that the
republicans will not agree on any primary
election law that will prevent that party
or the machine in that party from having
its own way.
II is the Republican machine that is in
trouble, not the Democrats. The Dem
ocrats favor primary election law be
cause if is a fundamental Democratic
principle that the people should rule
and that the people should have an op
portunity to express themselves. as vel
| in naming the party candidates as a
| the election.
The Democrats we'll know that the
Republicans. as a rule. that is. the
machine Republicans. that dominate The
State Senate, will not allow fair pri
mary law to be passed. and We fear tina
this special session is Republican game
to breathe the breath of life into I
machine made ticket that is already
lcondemned by the Republican voters.
The Democrats of the Legislature
should be very careful not TO commi
themselves TO any primary election
scheme that emana es from the Repub
licau machine that has been governing
this State, and which now Is making
desperate effort to get the State bacl
into their possession again.
The Democratic party is in fine con
dtion. 1t IS the Republicans who seel
to get the stamp OF legality upon
machine-made ticket so that the voter
may again be deceived by the cry o
regularity and legality 1t is hardly It
be suspected that any Of the fifteen Re
publican Senators will vote for a bill
that embodies the true Democratic idea
of primary law. Aud it is much les
probable that any of the Republican
Senators will agree to any amendment
in the registration law or the election
law. such amendments as will put an Ell
% the importation of negroes an
foreigners into the southern section @
the State on election day that Is as muc
demanded and needed by the people a
a primary election law.
We heartily favor a primary electio
aw that will enable the people I
nominate all Of the candidates for offic
from Constable TO Governor and lutte
: States Senator, but we are not in faver {
the Democratic party accepting a la'
proposed by the machine Republicans {
this State. In other words, we "fearth
enemy even bearing gifts"
High School Minstrels at the New Or
FRA House Friday night.
Notice to Fruit Growers.