The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-05-02
FROM WASHINGTON.
George w. Summers.

Congressman John NJ Hamilton
Of Grantsville is making a vigorous
effort to nave the federal govern
ment assume any part of the Virgi-
MIA debt for which West Virginia
may be held liable by the United
States Supreme Court, He appear
ed before the House Judiciary Com
mittee on Wednesday ana spoke for
an hour and half in support of his
resolution providing for the assump-
ton of this debt by the United States.
Mr.. Hamilton made one of the most
looical speeches, which has been
heard at the Capitol in a long time
and was warmly congratulated not
only by the West Virginia Congress-
man but by the chairman and other
members of the Judiciary Commit
tee. Chairman Clayton told Mr.
Hamilton that before he heard his
speech he had thought there was
little in Mr.. Hamiltons resolution,
but that he became convinced on
hearing the speech that the resolu-
ton Is subject for the most serious
consideration by his committee Mr.
Hamilton's argument was along the
lines that West Virginia was not
created by any authority of the eonI
stitution but purely as a war meas
ure and for the purpose of preserv-
ing the union and was in effect,
therefore, conquered territory; and
that the United States in every case
in which land had been acquired,
either as result Of war or by pur-
chase, had not only paid for the ter
ritory acquired, but had also assum-
ed and paid all Indebtedness against
such territory. He held that this
established precedent from which
the United States could not now es-
cape and that it would only be car
rying out former policy If the fed
eral government should now assume
West Virginia's obligations in con-
nection with the debt of Virginia.
Mr.. Hamilton has been encouraged
nthe belief that his resolution may
be adopted by Congress.
Former Governor Dawson who for
many years was the Republican boss
in West Virginia, seems to be again
in the saddle. AS a result of. the
primary elections and conventions
for the selection of delegates to
those conventions which will send
delegates to the Republican National
Convention at Chicago The temper
of the Republicans Of West Virginia
has been thoroughly tested and they
are overwhelmingly in favor Of Col.
onel Roosevelt for President. 1t is
not to be supposed that they would
support for Senator any man who
had fought against the nomination
of Col. Roosevelt. This would elm
mate most of the candidates for the
and would leave w. M
y. Dawson as the most probable
for Senator In case a Re-
publican legislature is elected The
delegates to the Chicago Convention
will undoubtedly select Mr.. Dawson
Or some one whom he may dictate
tee. This would place him in SUI
preme control of party politics in
West Virginia, and would re-estab-
lish him as boss of the Republican
party. 1t has not been long since
he was the leader of the Republican
party and the primary election which
he conducted In Kanawha county
and the State Convention which nom-
mated him for Governor stand out
IN the political history of the State
IS famous examples of the way in
which Mr.. Dawson controls his par
". 1t was bad enough when N. B. |
Scott and his associates were in |
,harge of the Republican party, but |
t will be worse yet when Dawson |
gets his hand upon the old machine
igain.
Senator Watson Is preparing to
make vigorous fight in the Senaf
n favor of the removal of the tariff |
rom potatoes until the new crop
,omes in next Summer. He has al
'eady offered an amendment to the
ariff bill affecting the metal sched- |.
lies, the effect Of which Is to put POI
atoes temporarily on the free list.
lie offered this amendment to the
metal schedule because it was the
,nly tariff bill under consideration
it the time. When the metal sched-
lie comes up for passage, which may
,e within the next few days, Sena-
or Watson will press the potato
amendment in order to reduce the
'ost of living which@has been ma
erially affected by the advance in
he price of potatoes.
Senator Watson has introduced a
ill providing for the construction
II federal bruilding at Beckley.
n view of the fact that the post
,fice was recently destroyed by the
Ire which swept the business portion
II Beckley, Senator Watson has
ropes that this bill will be permitted
o go through The Senate Commit
zee on Public Buildings and Grounds
las made favorable report upon Sem
So. Hi fnr h,.;ldfro Of