Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1914-12-22
Washington Letter.
From Geo. W. summers.l


West Virginia indicates that the old
game of promising support for the Sen
atorship 10 numerous candidates and /
giving it to none, which worked so well |
two years ago. is being played again,
and that even one of the same candi- |
dates who was double crossed before is !
again in the game. accepting another
promise Of support, although ne proba 4
bly, lost he Senatorship two years ago I
because the promise made prior TO that |
time was not fulfilled Unmindful of !
the fact that the laws haye been changed
and that the Governor has no light even
to fill vacancy in the Senate by APP Il
pointment, it is being promised to each |
of several prominent Republicans that |
Senator Golf will resign and each one is
| told that he viii be appointed by the |
Governor to fill the vacancy, provided
he gives his support to the sdministra-
ton in organizing and running the leg |
islature as the administration desires it |
to be organized and run. H. C. Ogden of |
Wheeling and A B. White, of Parkers-
burg, are said to have fallen for the
promise Isaac T. Mann, who was prom |
ised support two years ago and failed
to get it, is said to be biting at the |
hook, on which the Senatorial bait is
hung and Virgil L. Highland, of Clarks-
burg, is said to be playing around the
hook, almost ready to take a nibble |
Davis Elkins, who was another of the
famous Double Cross Trio of 1912, has
even had the bait before his eyes, but
he is wary son of father whom no
one could fool and apparently he is not
attracted by the bait. because he sees
the hook protruding The strangest
part of the affair is that Isaac T. Mann
after being fooled two years ago.
should fall for the same kind of bait so
soon again. when put out in the same
manner and from the same sources
The fact is that under the recently
adopted amendment to the federal con-
stitution. all Senators have to be elected
and vacancy can only be filled by
special election except in cases where
a State adopts law providing for the
filling of vacancy by appointment of
the Governor. when it may be done.
West Virginia has passed no such law.
and ar appointment from the Governor
would not be recognized by the Senate,
unless the legislature should provide
for the filling of vacancy in such
way. Possibly the control of the legis-
Iature is sought so that such law NAV
be passed, giving the Governor power
to fill vacancy by appointment. Should
such law be passed by the West Vir-
ginia Legislature, it is safe to say that
not one of the persons to whom prom.
Uses may have been made would be ap-
pointed Senator in case of Senator
COTS resignation. With friend as
President of the Senate, the program
following the resignaio of Judge Golf
should it occur and should the law be
passed providing for the appointment
of bis successor. The Governor would
resign without filling the vacancy, the
President of the Senate would become
Governor and would appoint the man
who resigned TO make him Governor.
| However. from present indications.
there is no possibility of Senator Golf
resigning He is SAID 10 be in better
health than ever before, he has little
work here and draws two salaries, so
that unless he entered into an agree
ment to resign in case of his election tc
the Senate. so that the man Swho engi-
neered his election could succeed him
there is little chance that ne will quit
his present very acceptable and lucra-
tive position. However. the suckers
are biting on the same old bait and are
likely to assist in organizing and run
nlng the legislature to suit the admin
istration.
West Virginia may be called upon
soon to pass upon the prohibition ques-
ton again. The resolution of Captain
Hobson, who was ingloriously defeated
by Oscar w. Underwood for Senator
from Alabama. and is serving his last
term in Congress, is to be reported to
the House next week. 1t provides for
submitting to the States an amendment
to the federal constitution to prohibit
the manufacture, sale or importation Of
iptoyica finU l'nuorc in the TTpitod C4otor
and all territory over which it NAV
have control, forever. 1t is contem
plated that vote will be taken in the
, House next week and friends of tn
resolution insist it will be adopted
Should it pass the Honse, it will have
to go to the Senate and then, if the
Senate passes it, the amendment will
go to the States for ratification, Thirty
six States will have to ratify il to make
it part of the federal Constitution.
The adoption of the resolution by the
House is by no means certain, yet
friends of the measure except it to be
adopted.
/ Results of the war in Europe begin
to be felt in a beneficial way in West
Virginia. Owing to the closing of many
factories abroad and the destruction of
many glass plants in Belgium, the Ha-
eel Atlas Glass Company, of Wheeling,
is trying to establish itself III the Euro
pean trade, for the export of its pro-
duct. A. B. Braxton and A. S. Brady,
of Wheeling, representing this concern.
sailed from New York Saturday for
England. where they expect to open
sales agencies and take large orders |
Congressman Nicely obtained passports