The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-10-24
EXTRAORDINARY SESSION
Showing the NEaneuyering Of the
CmltOn-WansOn Combine to
Prevent Primary
Legislation


Pursuant to the call issued by Cow
ernor Glasseoek from the capitol on
the 18th day Of April, the Legisla-
ture convened in special session at
Charleston on Nay <16, 1911. And
from the very moment that the Leg
islature convened in extraordinary
session the forces Of Chiffon and
Watson, under the command OF Mac
Corkle in the Senate and Wetzel in
the House, opposed the legislation
proposed by the Governor and en-
dorsed by the free and uncontroIle
Democrats of the state.
Fifteen days before the session
, began, the Charleston Gazette, per-
sonal organ Of Senator Chiffon, pre-
/ dicted there would be no primary
bill passed at the special session and
limited at an early adjournment
without even considering the sub
jects enumerated by the Governor IN
his proclamation.
In fact this was the scheme of the
Chiffon Watson combine to adiour
, the Legislature when it assemble
without even the consideration OF
direct primary law. This pla
failed because there vas about TWEEN
~ Democrats in the House and Sen
ate who were loyal to their part
and the platform pledges Of tn
party and who refused to enter
caucus where vote on the question
would be binding.
That the plan to force an early
adjournment OF the legislature wa
defeated was due entirely to the &C
ton OF these Democrats who insist
ed upon the redemption of the par
ty pledges. Delegate VIM. B. Ice
of Marion county, the home of Gar
ence w. watson, controlled dele
gate, made such a motion in con-
ference OF the Democratic members
OF the Legislature but it raised such
storm OF opposition that Ice was
forced to withdraw his motion.
Failing in their frst effort to ad
journ the Legislature before an ex
preston was secured from either
House on the subject OF direc
primary law, the Watson-Chilto
combine turned their thoughts in an
other direction and conceived tn
brilliant idea that they could pre-
vent the House OF Delegates fro
taking any action by the appoint
! ment Of a packed committee whic
could efectually strangIe all bills
resolutions and measures which di
not have the endorsement Of the cor
rupt combine. Speaker Wetzel an
nounced his willingness to help the
senatorial machine tie the hands o
those who insisted the party shoul
carry out it's pledges.
The Special Committee of n.
Under the rule Of the House which
governed that body at the regula
session of the Legislature, all the
bills introduced in the House o
Delegates, were referred to the ap-
prOpriate committee. Naturally al
bills Of the nature Of primary cleo
ton law would be referred to tn
: Committee on the judiciary.
The regular Committee on the in
dietary was headed by Judge c. w
Campbell, of CabelI county, himsel
the author of the Campbell primar
bill, and on his committee were 9th
! er strong advocates Of the primar
legislation like Nelson c. Hubbard
of Ohio county. and E. F. Moore,
Marshall county. The committee
a whole was favorable toward tn
enactment OF direct primary law
Speaker WetzeI and the Chiffon
Watson combine knew this fact and
they formulated a plan by which
special committee could be created
for the consideration OF all matter
referred to in the call OF the Gov
ernor.
Delegate John Dice, of Creenbrief
county. adherent OF the Chiffon
Watson combine. was picked for the
,disagreeable task Of introducing the
resolution which would take away