The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-05-08
Through Their Papers Are Endeavor.
ing TO Secure Democratic oppo-
sition to the Measure.
FAILURE TO DEFEAT BILL
WILL NOT END OPPOSITION
Watson-chilton Combination Will
Then Try TO Have Passed Un-
satisfactory Primary Law.

Special Dispatch to tho InteIIigencsr.
CHARLESTON. w. Va. May I'm
reference on the part OF the two
United States Senators from West Vir-
einia. Clarence w. Watson and WILL
lam +. Chiffon. in opposition TO the
enactment OF primary election law
viii not be tolerated by the House of
Delegates This is the report coming
| TO the capital two weeks before the
beginning OF the special session from
the leaders OF the Democratic majori-
" in the lower house.
Instead OF creating sentiment
against the proposed State-mide pri-
mary lam. the opponents OF the meas
ure have aided largely i'm crystallzing
the sentiment sweeping the State for
a primary election law by the use OF
fallacious argument which was in
tended To sOlidify the Democratic
members OF th Legislature in opposi-
tion to the purpose for which the ex-
ira session OF the legislature was
called by Governor GlasscOck.
Fight Against Bill.
Through the columns of the Charles
ton Gazette and the Fairmont Times,
the personal organs of the two Sena-
tors, the fight is being made TO enlist
the aid Of the Democratic members of
the legislature against the bill which
proposed the nomination OF all candi-
dates for public office. including the Of
fee OF United States Senator, by pub
Ii cprimary. So far the attitude OF
Senators Chiffon and Watson. as re-
vealed 10y their newspapers. has not
been sufficient to convince the Demo
cratic rank and file that a primary
election law is wrong. and number OF
the Democratic leaders of the House
OF Delegates and several State Sena-
tors. besides practically the entire
Democratic press OF the State. have
endorsed the action Of Governor Glass
cock in calling the legislature in spe-
cial session. and are committed to a
strong. honest primary law,
Should the two United States Sena-
tors fail in their effort 10 defeat pri-
mary measure-and their failure to
combat the healthy public sentiment
aroused. is apparent az this time-the
attack viii be diverted and an effort
made TO have the legislature pass a
primary Law which will be satisfactory
/ to Senators Chiffon and Watson.
Watson Papers Active.
With characteristic cunning the
newspapers under the control OF the
two United States Senators do not at
tempt to attack a primary election law.
but are content to make flank attacks.
which have for a common purpose
the defeat OF the primary plan. This
style Of argument and opposition n
used 20 befuddle the popular mind.
one Of the arguments used by the
opponents Of the primary plan is that
Governor GlasscOck used his official
position 10 assemble the legislature in
special session 20 reorganize his own
party. and these same opponents val
iantly assert that Governor Glasscock
cannot force q Democratic legislature
20 pass Republican primary law.
Even the political enemies OF the Gov
ernor have never questioned that he
had sufficient political acumen 10
know that a Democratic legislature
would not pass an act which had for
b its purpose the upholding Of the party
| OF which the executive Is a member
/ Ills good faith was shown. his friends
assert. when the Governor endorsed
[ the Campbell bill. passed by the House
/ Iof Delegates at the regular session.
| This bin was championed by one OF
I the Democratic leaders Of the lower
house. and was passed with only Ave
/ dissenting votes in the Democratic
/ branch of the legislature.
Arguments Against Bill.
Another argument used by the op-
rononts of the primary plan is the al
/ legation that the Republican party n
divided on the quest ON OF a primary
. Jaw. and that n faction led by Govern
or Dawson was more potent with the
/ Governor than an ALLEGED faction led
/ by Charles Wesley Svishor and Dr. r.
| ID Hatfield and AZ % result of the ex-
/ ira session there is friction between
the Republican leaders Governor
. Dawson. while am advocate Of n prima-
rv law ie uo stronger in his support
B of such measure than former Secro-
. tury SwIshcr Almost two years ago
the latter announced his prcfermcnt
for a primary Iaw for tho nomination
of all public officers from United
States Senator to constable. and just
recently boz rcafrmcd that view.
while pr Hatfield was opposed 10 an
extra session Of fhc legislature. ike
many other GOOD Republicans. he has
not stated chat he was opposed 90 a
ur.murt lHv. fn fact. af the session
of 1909 hc was tbc author of n prima-
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