The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-10-24
4 this special session.


ton law now, since We have been
called together for that purpose,
and am informed that there are a
number OF Republicans who are in
favor Of entering upon that subject.
There is no attempt to force any
holy. we are entitled to know and
/ think the people are entitled to
know whether there is majority in
the House in favor Of Iegisla-
lion on this subject or not. If
majority OF this House think it
should not be adopted; If we are
not in favor of entering upon appro-
pirate legislation at this time, then
the next thing that ought to follow
would be a motion to adjourn sine
die, but II the resolution is adopted
we can get to work Immediately, the
bills can be introduced and printed
and the House can enter upon their
immediate consideration. 1t slim
ply means If there is disposition
on the part of majority Of this
House, we can enter upon appropri7
ate legislation on that subject. we
might differ, of course, on what is
appropriate legislation; 1t is simply
a question of counting noses and
seeing whether there is majority
in favor or opposed to tnat. think
the matter should be taken UP for
immediate consideration. Every
man Is well prepared to say what his
mind is now as he will be tomorrow.
These men are not going to change
over night. | assume that every man
has made up his mind.
MR.. HALL, of wetzel: / want
TO say to my friend from Ohio coun.
ty and my friend from Cabell county
that am Just as earnestly, sincerely
and honestly in favor OF a primary
election law; one that will be fair
and just and honest to the Demo-
cratic, the Republican party aud to
the people OF the State, but there
are differnt ways of getting at these
matters. i think it was unfortunate
that this resolution was offered at
this time. There are different views
in regard to this question, as to how
we shall proceed. We can not afford
10 put on our statute books leglsla-
ton that will not produce a result.
II We put an ill-advised and ill-con-
sidered piece of legislation on our
statute books, we better not have it
at all. l shall vote against taking
up this resolution for immediate con-
sheraton, and want to assure him
that it does not indicate my position
on this question.
MR.. BARLOW, of Marshall: 1
must agree with the gentleman from
Ohio, and, also, the gentleman from
Cabell in regard to the immediate
consideration of this resolution. The
House has shown by its vote in the
last session of the legislature that
1t was almost unanimously in favor
OF primary law, and now then why
should it allow this resolution to lie
over for one day and take up the
time of the members from their
business and the money OF the State
OF West Virginia. If You are men,
and have the courage of your convic-
tons, then l say to you, stand by
this resolution. Why do you want
10 study over the resolution? Does
It contain some proposition that you
have never heard of before? 1t con-
,tains just a simple question that has
been discussed in the schoolhouses,
upon the political platforms, and up
on the streets in this States for the
'N't va VS SColss why ulu yOu WIZ
for primary law at the regular
session OF the Legislature and now
ask "a hours to consider this simple
resolution. There is no necessity
for that. 1t is merely to give you
more time to devise plans, If you
can. to avoid facing this question. l
fully understand that some Re
publican members are opposed to
this measure, and there are some, on
the majority side, but that makes
no difference. 1t is a question to
consider, something that you as in
dyidual members must face now and
which you must face in the next
campaign. You must favor it when
you return to your constituents.
MIR. TBRRILL. of Wayne county:
The gentleman who has just pre-
coded me made the point that there
we're members on the floor of the
House who are trying to avoid the
issue. want to say to him that l
am here to face this issue, and 1 re-
sent the assertion, and am here to