Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-07-31
Washington Letter


found out to the contrary in the last
few weeks, for Mr. Brown has been
one of the busiest men in the House.
The committee having in charge the
new banking and currency 5ilIhas been
in almost continuous session and has
had stormy time over it. Mr.. Brown
/ is one of the members who has con-
] sistently stood by the administration in
the consideration of the bill. and has
stated that he proposes to do SO. The
opposition may try to amend the bill,
but he believes it should and will be
in practically the form desired by the
administration. Certainly it will if his
vote can bring about that result.
Senator Chiffon recommended C. B.
Riggle, editor of the Tyler County
Journal for postmaster at Middlebourne
and the President has sent his nomi--
nation to the Senate.
Congressman Brown has succeeded in
having G. T. .Stonesifer appointed as
postmaster at Ransom, new office near
Charles Town. Jefferson county.
In view of the well known attitude
of the Postmaster General towards
postmasters against whom there are
charges, even though their terms have
not been completed, it seems probable
that there will be some changes in the
postmasterships atseveral offices in the
first district and possibly elsewhere.
+ The appointment of Mr. Davis to be
Solicitor General will necessitate his
resignation from Congress ard the hold
ing of a special election to choose his
successor, Although tie district is
normally Republican, Mr. Davis has car
ried it twice. This does not signify,
however. that any other Democrat can
necessarily carry it again 1t is ex-
pected that there will be. scramble
among. the candidates for nominations
on three tickets. Of course, the Demo
Gratis and Republicans will have candi-
dates for Congressman to succeed Mr..
Davis, and Victor Murdoch, leader of
the Progressives in Congress, is report
ed to have stated that the Progressives
will haye candidate in the first dis
trict at the special election. If the
Democrats, Republicans and Progress
sives each have candidate on the ticket
it will mean merry contest for the
place, with the chances by far the best
for the Democrats
The joint meeting of the Virginia and
and West Virginia commissions.
held here last Friday and Saturday, was
almost proftless SO far as results are
concerned. The two commissions dld
not even agree on a basis on which to
work Virginia insists that only the
question of interest on the amount of
the debt for which West Virginia was
held responsible by the Supreme Court
of the United States can be considered.
West Virginia maintains that the eu-
tire debt question is up for considera-
ton. Not being able to get together
on basis for negotiations, an adjourn
ment was had till August IL. when
another attempt will be made to get
together.
The highest honor that has been con-
ferred on a West Yirginian since VIM
| L. Wilson was made postmaster gener-
al on April 4, 1895 was the nomination
of John w. Davis to be Solicitor Gener
al Of the United States, sent to the
| Senate last Saturday. For some time
| it had been generally understood that
| Mr.. Davis had been selected for that
important post, but when the nomina
| ton was sent in it was in the nature of
| q surprise, for no one outside the White
House or.DepartmenG of Justice knew
| that the appointment was to he made
at that time A1lr. Davis was first APP
prised of the determination to offer
| him the place by Senator Chiffon. Tbs
Senator had been very active=in trying
to have Mr.. Davis appointed to the
| judgeship vacated by Judge Gotf when
he became Senator, and when the de
| cision was reached to make Mr. Davis
| solicitor General the tender OF the po-
sitiop was made through Senator Chill
| ton because of his Well-knoWn friend
| ship for Mr.. Davis Mr. Davis, after
some consideration signifed his wiling
ness to accept the place and the non1is
nation was made at once. The position
of Solicitor General is second only in
importance to that of Attorney Gener-
a1-1he Solicitor General is in effect
| the legal adviser of the Department of
Justice while the Attorney General
looks after the administrative features
of the office. The position pays $40, 900
year and is regarded as about the
most desirable appointment within the
gift of the President aside from acabi-
net position. No delay is expected In
4 confirming the appointment. The Judi
ciary Committee, of which Senator
| Chiffon is smember, is expected to
very promptly report in favor of the
confirmation and no opposition is ex-
pected from any source. 1t is probab-
let that within few days Mr.. Davis
will have taken the oath of office.
How former Senator Nathan B.
Scott obtained the position of Chief of
internal revenue agents at $40 per day
for his brother I'M law, George w.
Trowb1idge, of Illinois, when he might
have put one West. Virginian in his
place became known recently, when
Mr.. Trowbridge, with Senator Scott's
influence of no further avail. was re-
moved from the position of chief of