The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-09-27
HATFIELD EXPLAINS HIS
Z VOTE ON INVESTIGATION

was reached on the Senate calendar
In the usual order. Senator McIntire
moved that II be laid on the table.
explaining that his reasons for making
THIS motion was for the purpose OF
amending the resolution, and in no
way was the proceeding intended TO
charges which had been made by Dem
ocratic members. the press. and the
public. should be Investigated. All he
asked Tor was time TO amend the res
oiution before It's passage.
This assurance 10 the Senate was
given by Mr.. McIntire. and by Sena-
tors Wood, MacCorkle and Peterkin,
who substiantiated fully the explana-
tion given as the reason for desiring
the resolution laid on the table tenn
porarily.
Senator Sutherland interrogated
senator Peterkin, asking him IN he
would call up the resolution in the
event Senator McIntire did not carry
out his promsie. Senator Peterkin
assured Senator Sutherland that he
would do this and further assured
Senator Sutherland and the .Republi-
can members OF the Senate especially,
that II Senator Mclntire did not cali
up the resolution, he. himself. would
do so In order that these very serious
charges might be fully investigated
Upon the earnest declarations OF these
leading Democratic Senators. had no
right to doubt their veracity or hon
esty. or TO question their motives.
am not accustomed TO suspect my fel.
lowmen. whether he be OF my political
faith or not. and after receiving the
absolute guarantee Of these gentlemen
and Senators. I thought that I could
grant them the courtesy and favor OF
what seemed 10 me then TO be n very
Eg0
plausible argument accompanying It.
!, therefore. voted TO lay the resolu-
ton on the table. believing in the
truth and validity OF their personal
guarantee and promise that the reaso-
luton would be called up and have
the consideration of all at a very
early date.
Il want to assure the people OF the
state that I did not nor was II my
purpose. 10 vote against the investi-
cation or these serious charges pre-
sented to the Legislature. Had I
thought for one moment that these
gentlemen were insincere and that II
was then their intention ad purpose to
escape investigation. their motion TO
table the resolution would certainly
not have received by vote.
Talks on Primary Laws.
AS TO my position on primary cleo
pioned a measure in 1909 which would
have far surpassed the present meth
/ DDS OF making nominations. | had my
views at that time relative to a pri-
mary election law which were in keep
ing with ideas adopted by Governor
| Hughes in New York State and ap-
proved by ex-President Roosevelt
In the extra session OF 1911, I cham.
pioned with the other Republican Sen.
ators. aprimary measure which had
4 for its purpose 20 give TO every citi-
zen full and free expression OF his
! preference In selecting the nominees
! OF his party, and l opposed measure
introduced by the Democrats. which
had a referendum clause attached "a
/ IL. submitted IL 10 a vote OF the people
: in this campaign, but which had with
in its sections such wormwood and
\ gall OF trickery and dishonesty that II
\ would have been Overwhelmingly re
Il pudiated, which was. think. the in
/ tention OF those who most vigorously
advocated II. II was a DISTINGUISHING
! measure: OF that there can be nc
\ question This was a pre-arranged un
1 Outstanding OF the Democrats for the
! reason that they did not care TO have
a primary measure passed at all. II
was purposely. believe. so composed
that Il would be 30 Objectionable that
its overwhelming defeat would be In
sured.
/ Carrying Out Instructions.
Relative 10 my position on the pro
| hibition amendment when I was IN
the State Senate. ! want 20 say that
/ believe that a man when he Is elect
ed 20 an once should represent the
true sentimnt of his people regard
less OF his personal inclinatiOns
\ The convention which nominated
I the candidate on the ticket succeed
\ ed By appointment OF tho committee in
/ 1909. passed instructions 10 that can
/ didate. Tn the convention Of 1910
] which nominated my colleague. I al
dressed that convention and In course