Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-30
Gov. Hatfield of West Virginia
DiSinCIined to Put State
to Expense.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
MAY NOT BE NEEDED
Postmaster Denham's Case the Po-
litical Topic Of the Hour.
Senator COTS Interest.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star
WHEELING, W. Va, November 20
special session of the West Virginia
legislature is not likely to be called by
Gov. Hatfield. although until recently the
impression was general that the solons
would be summoned next January. 1t is
said the governor is disinclined to put
the state to the necessity of holding
half dozen special elections the num-
Der corresponding TO the legislators con-
victed Of bribe-taking in connection
with the United States senatorial contest
last winter. The constitution of the
state declares that every county shall
have representation at meeting of the
legislature. hence no special session
would be legal which did not provide for
representation from the home counties
of the convicted members.
Before legal inquiry, it was generally
stated that the governor feared demo-
cratic control of the senate branch
With the Incarceration of Senator Smith.
the republican strength would be re-
duced to fourteen members. or one short
of the democratic total. With President
Woods. democrat. in the chair. none of
the tactical advantages enjoyed by the
able
But. all specifications go by the board
II the informatio is correct that Gov
Hatfield has abandoned any idea of a
special session. and the Information
comes from leading members of the ad-
minsitration Subjects that would have
been considered at special session would
have included amendments TO the public
service commission and workmens COM
pensatiOn acts. state primary bill and
nfrlin RI r1rnVi2a nj
the loss of license revenue after July !,
1914. when state prohibition becomes eff
fective.
1t is freely admitted that the public
service commission has too much 10 do
because of the increased duties enforced
in the bill creating the body. 1t was
the original intent to create a body OF
three members, but the democrats amend
ed It to provide for four on bipartisan
argument. Following this. the duty of
administering the workmen's compensa
ton act was given the commission. The
sudden activity in hydro electric develop
ment along the Cheat and other rivers
injected line of work almost sufficient
for distinct body alone.
Progressives Talk Plans.
The workmen's compensation act APP
pears satisfactory TO nobody. 1t was
urged by manufacturers, mostly from the
Wheeling district. and by labor organiza-
tons generally 1t was not desired by
the coal operators, but with their poten-
tial influence in the legislature. it is main
tanned, they managed 10 so amend it
that ii was framed to their own ends
and then gladly took advantage of its
elective provisions. Now the manufac-
turers and employers of labor in less
hazardous occupat tons contend that they
a or rh.z nan
they have urged Redistribution at a
special Legislative session.
few days>ago Gov. Hatfield expressed
the opinion that the law was working
fairly well. and his pronouncement was
considered a timely Indication of his hesi-
fancy at calling a special session. There
is still a feeling that if an emergency
arises in the pending Virginia debt liti-
CATION that a special session may be
called. but only in the event of a stu
alton approaching an emergency. A
municipal code. and an industrial disputes
act. two measures recommended TO the
governor for consideration in such an
event. will have the backing of the state
board OF trade. result Of its recent
meeting at Bluefield.
In the field of straight politics prob
ably of most Importance is the activity
shown this week by the progressive or
ganization in holding q meeting and de-
Gliding to try to inject ginger into the bull
The optimism of the local bull moosers''
in the face of their showing in the late
congressional encounter is something 10
admire. They are talking of securn"
headquarters for a club. and even the
establishment of a newspaper organ.
Outside of Huntington and few other
points they show little signs Of life
1t is certain the progressives will here
after cherish no cordial feelings for Sen
ator Goff His appearance on the stump
80. IA. Ii.
the congressional canvass. coupled with
his straight-out republican declarations.
was the first blow. His fight before the
Senate committee on post offices and
post roads against the ousting of Post
master Sherman c. Denham is the back
breaker. Denham is particularly objec-
tionable with progressives and likewise
with the so-called republicans that fol-
low. the banner of x-Representative W
p. Hubbard. The latter element chooses
to call itself progressive republican rath-
er than give up the first love entirely.
Republican Power in State.
Denham is a fellow -Cla rksburger and
Senator Golf was making a last stand
for him on the line that partisan advan-
tage solely governed the attempt to re-
place him with J. Carl Vance who had
been recommended for the Office by John
w. Davis before resigning his seat in the
House. The senator declared his will
ingness to drop his fight If Denham were
allowed to serve until the end of the
year He opposed having him put out on
charges of neglect of Office pernicious
political activity. etc. Denham, who has
been a republican power not only in the
first congressional district but in the
state organization for several years has
naturally built up large and earnest
opposition within the republican party.
Much OF the bull moose vote in Harrison
county represented simply an anthem
hans faction. Because of this feeling
against him in his own party in his own
county and In other counties. the Golf
effort in his defense will not add to the
senator's popularity. However. that will
likely be a matter of indifference to the
senator, for since he re-entered the DO
litical arena after quarter of a genera
ton IN judicial retirement he has mani
tested an Indifference to things consider
ed vital by politicians. There is no rea-
son to expect he will be disturbed by
criticisms In the Denham case.
The passing of Denham from Office will
CLOSE up career OF turbulent endeavor
on his part to hold on and the effort of
a fair-sized element to retire him to the
ranks He achieved national note in the
summer of 1905. when he was credited
not only with organizing the forces that
gave Taft the West Virginia delegates.
but with securing written pledge from
Frank II. Hitchcock, then Postmaster
General. that he would continue to hold
the Clarksburg post Office.