The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-05-15
Senator Golf Makes
Defense of w. Va.
In the SenateDebate
SENATOR KERN'S RESOLU.
TlON FOR INVESTIGATION
OF NINE DISTRICT.
Debated For Three Hours-Re-
ceived Support But Opposed
by GOff and Chiffon.

WASHINGTON. May 14.-Senator
kerns resolution for a federal inyesti-
cation OF conditions accompanying the
strike OF coal miners in West Virginia
advanced through three hours of de-
bate today TO a point where its friends
believe that tomorrow a vote upon
II VIII be taken. Although many
Senators spoke upon the resolution,
Few arguments were made against it's
object. Several expressed doubt as
10 wisdom of ordering a senatorial
inquiry before a Senate committee
had discussed the necessity for IL.
From the support il received upon
the Republican side in the days de-
velopments. however. advocates OF
the resolution were confident that IL
would eventually be adopted. whether
II was first referred 10 a committee
for a report or acted upon directly by
the Senate
Senator Kern led the supporting
column in favor of the resolution in a
long speech, and senators BOrah. Root
and Hollis cOncurred in part in his
demand for an investigation, while
Senators Chiffon and Goff. OF West
Virginia expressed their disapproval
Senator Chiffon argued against an in
vcstieation b. The Senate OF acts done
in sovereign state. and maintained
that the courts were amply able TO
review them. Con had not concluded
his address when the Senate ad-
juurned.
Read Affidavits.
Senator Kern read several affidav-
i's from men who declared that they
had been refused admission to post
offices in the strike region by en-
ployes of the nine operators. He
said than men had been tried there
by drum head COurt-martial and re-
fused writs Of habeas corpus by the
supreme court OF the state. and ex-
pressed the opinion that such judicial
acts as these were responsible for a
growing scntiment IN this country IN
favor Of the recall of judges and OF
judicial decisions
Senator Kern told OF pressure
brought to bear TO preyent the in
qu!ry and expressed surprise that
min" operators seemed opposed 10 an
investigation II they were concerned
as 10 the good name of their state
Senator Borah. author of n resolu-
tion Of the same tenor last year. re-
ferrcd 10 decisions OF the supreme
cour- OF the United States in similar
cases and insisted that II had held
thar while a governor of n state might
create a military zone such as existed
in West Virginia and might employ
the militia 10 enforce order. mon must
be- tried in the civil courts under the
Ordinary law and not by military law.
lie declared that IL men had been
tried 10y court martial in West Vir.
cinia and sent 10 tho penitentiary.
without regard 10 their rights OF trial
fst
an Investigation should be conducted.
'lf such conditions exist" said the
senator. ".t f. Of supreme concern TO
the people of the United States"
Senator Root approved the invest'-
cation. ho said men IN Wost Virginia
',re being deprived Cf their rights
oi ;he protection of thee law with thu
sanction NJ tho states supreme au-
tl1rity. i'+ rovcruor
GoH Defends State.
Senator G1n rccitpd The history ~
tie Nrs' Nirsinia troubles He ad-
invited many o. tho incidents related
ns Nr Kern huf declared that the
creation OF military tribunals was
justified uudcr e1istinr conditions.
lf' foid of orators ~hp went into the
s.Ulc country and made inaamators
r'rctre and 90 their surpr ,-sion lie
f'id that Dc did not oppose free
i .eCh ror di1 hc believe the senate
oI posed i' "But." he added "it
tts never boon held in any land that
r"" speech means license" Ho
f-.I-ei ft' creation o. the famous
iu iars commissions by West Vir-
-tt.a's governor You will not hnd
'ltou' 'n Ws-' Nir1iria." no said
who VIII MOI saw 'woll done. thou
lood and faithful servant"
H' asked tho senate ~ consider
ia" peaceful law 1hid'ur t,ople OF the
rect of West N'rc.nia whom n pass-
'd upon % question ~ an investIRa-
i.'u "h'cn concerned fhe whole stafe
'Ti really cG"cfed n small ara OF
"ni' g Jew square miles in the coal
r'ri1u