The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-04-25

SECTION.
OUR NATIONAL CAPITAL.
What Our Representatives Are Do
ing For West Virginia.
GEO. w. sUMMERs,

ing FOR NeSt NTSIihd.
GEO. w. sUMMERs,
West Virginia's interests in con
nection with the debt of the State
of Virginia are being as carefully
looked after by the Senators and
Representatives as it is possible for
them to be. Under the manage
ment of a Republican administra-
ton West Virginia had lost in the
suit of Virginia against West Vir-
ginia and will have to pay at least
seven million dollars and possibly
four times as much The attorney
Genera, who was in charg of the
case and lost it, is now seeking
nomination on the Republican tick
ct for Congressman. In the mean
time Senator Chiffon on behalf OF
himself and Senator Watson has
introduced a bill which if it should
become a law would bring into the
West Virginia treasury from the
United States Government more
than enough money to pay any part
of the Virginia debt for which West
Virginia may be held to be liable.
AT the same time Congressman
Hamilton has pending and is push
ing joint resolution providing that
the United States government shall
pay any portion Of the Virginia debt
for which West Virg MIA may be
liable. Mr.. Hamilton holds that
West Virginia was in effect conquer
ed territory being taken from Vir-
ginia during tie Civil War solely as
a war measure He shows from
history that the United States has
always paid the debts of any ter
rftory acquired as the result of war,
and believes that no exception
should be made in the case of West
Virginia. The House JuriciarN
Committee, of which Congressman
Davis of West Virginia, is a mem
on which it will give a hearing on
Mr. Hamilton's resolution. Several
prominent West Virginians will be
present at the hearing and speak in
support of Mr. namilton's resolution
The two propositions Of Senator
Chiffon and Congressman Hamil-
ton are not antagonistic at all and
the passage of one need have no eff
feet at all upon the other. They
merely show that West Virginia
bankers and congressman are max
ing every effort on all possible line.
to relieve the State as far as posi-
BILE from the debt which has beef
saddled upon it under Republican
administration.
Word comes from West Virgini;
to the effect that Virgil L. Highland
Chairman of the Republican Stat
Committee, is quietly making
fight for the United States Senator
ship for himself 1t is stated tina
while he is ostensibly working 10
harmony in various counties he i
in reality conceding the nomination
of candidates for county office t.
almost anyone in return for bein.
allowed to select The candidates TO
the legislature. Davis Elkins ha
become so alarmed by this statemen
that he has written an open lette
to the State Committe demanding
primary election for the nominatio
of Ia candidate for Senator Fl.
feels that if he could get severa
candidates into a primary electio
they would divide the opposition
and lea him a plurality for tn
nomination.
Senator Watson made an earnes
effort to have the tax on immigrant
coming to this county increased, lbu
the majority in the Senate was OF
posed to his plan and the tax wi
remain at "a as it is now. Senate
increasing the tax to 500. Thi
was voted down and he offered ar
other making j, $24 This also wa
lost and he tried to have the ia
increased to 81, but the Republica
majority in the Senate was too muc
it is.
Chairman Ansberry. of the Hous
0ommittee on Elections Number
has returned to Washington, afte
an absence of several weeks, an
expects to have the report of hi
committee ing the wiley-Hughes cor
tested Election case prepared with
in the next few days. While the com
mittee decided the evidence wa
not such as to unseat Mr., Hughe
it is understood the report will sc
verely arraign the conditions ex
listing in the fifth congressional dis
trict, and the Republicans, VIII
maintain these conditions.
The Supreme Court has granite
the request of Charles E. Littlefiel
and directed that the State of Vii
ginia shall pay him the $4,000 fe
fixed by the court for mis- service
as special master in the State Del
case. Virginia is directed to max
this payment as complainant in tn
case, but the amount is to be chars
ed up as costs in the case and
the final decision should hold We
Virginia liable for the costs