Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-03
Washington News.
[By George w. summers


Washington April 30. Congress
man John NJ. Hamilton, Of Grantsville,
is making vigorous effort to have
the federal government assume any
uart Of the Virginia debt for which
West Virginia may be held liable BY
the United States Supreme Court. He
appeared before the House Judiciary
Committee on Wednesday and spoke
for an hour and half in support of
his resolution providing for the as
sumption of this debt by the United
States. Mr.. Hamilton made one of
the most logical speeches, which has
been heard at the Capitol in long
time, and was warmly congratulated
not only by the West Virginia Con-
gresham but by the Chairman and
other members of the Judiciary Com
mittee. Chairman Clayton told Mr.
Hamilton that before he heard his
speech he had thought there was lit
tie in Mr.. Hamilton's resolution, but
that he became convinced on hearing
the speech that the resolution is a
subject for the most serious consider
alton by his committee. Mr.. Hamil-
toms argument was along the lines
that West Virginia was not created
by any authority of the constitution
but purely as war measure and for
the purpose of preserving 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 purchase had not only paid for the
territory acquired but had also assum-
ed and paid all indebtedness against
such territory. He held that this es-
tablished precedent from which the
United States could not now escape
and that it would only be carrying out
a former policy if the federal govern
ment should now assume West Vir-
ginia's obligation in connection with
the debt of Virginia. Mr. Hamilton has
been encouraged in the belief that his
resolution may be adopted by Cong
ress.
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 Sc
lection of delegates to those conven-
lions which will send delegates to the
Republican National Convention at
Chicago. The temper of the Republi-
cans of West Virginia has been thor
oughly tested and they are overwhel-
mingly in favor of Colonel Roosevelt
for President. 1t is not to be suppos-
ed that they would support for Sena-
tor any man who had fought against
the nomination of Col Roosevelt. This
would eliminate most of the candi-
dates for the Senatorship and would
leave w. M. o. Dawson as the
most probable candidate for Senator
in case a Republican legislature is
elected. The delegates to the Chicago
Convention will undoubtedly select
Mr.. Dawson or some one whom he
may dictate for member of the Nation
al Committee. This would place him
in supreme 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 par
ty and the primary election which he
conducted in Kanawha county and the
State Convention which nominated
him for Governor stand out in the po-
litical history of the State as famous
examples of the way in which Mr..
Dawson controls his party. 1t was
bad enough when N. B. Scott and his
associates were in charge of the Re-
publican party, but it will be worse
the old machine again.