West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-04-16
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
conaressmen Brown and Nicely Com
monded for vote on Canal Tolls
ouestIon-Post Office Department
makes Appointments In Fourth
Class Ofnces-Those Desiring
Seeds Should at once Communicate
with Congressman Brown
GEO. w. SuNNERs


Washington, April l4.-Corgressrnan
Nicely, who voted for the repeal OF the
canal toll exemption law, and Con-
gresham Brown. who voted against the
repeal, have both been overwhelmed with
congratulatory letters and kilograms,
showing that the people OF West Virginia
are divided on the subject Just as the
members OF the Senate and House are.
IL is not a political question, as shown
by the vote in the house, and each OF the
West Virginia Congressman voted as lac
thought right. Each has been highly
commended by constituents for the vote
he cast. Some irresponsible correspon-
dent sent out information last week 10
! several West Virginia papers that Con-
gresham Brown was supporting the
President on the tolls proposition, when
as matter OF fact Inc voted against the
repeal advocated by the President. 1t
placed Mr.. Brown i'm a false light, max
ing it very unpleasant for him. The
same correspondent also sent out what
purported 10 be information that Senator
Chiffon, and Congressman Nicely and
Brown have the right to select persons
for appointment as fourth class post
masters, provided the selections are made
from the eligible list of the civil service
| commission. As a matter OF fact, the Post
Office Department has adopted rule
which it strictly enforces, providing that
there shall be no deviation from the
decision TO appoint i'm each case the can
| didate for postmaster who stands highest
on the list as shown by the civil service
commission. The only exception is in
cases where the highest person is for
| some reason disqualified and then the
| second is named. There is no deviation
from the rule and it is unfair to state
that the Senator or the Congressman can
appoint fourth class postmaster, when
he can not do so.
Ii is understood that a new secretary
OF the Republican State Committee OF
West Virginia TO succeed X. B. Bernheim
may be selected at the State convention
called for May 20. Protest against Mr..
Bernheim retaining the position has
been made, it is understood, by Republi-
cans who say that il he remains as secre-
tary OF the Public Service Commission
and undertakes as secretary of the Re.
publican committee to raise q campaign
| fund from the corporations which come
within the control of the commission il
will cause party scandal. 1t is believed
he will be superseded, possibly at the
| State convention.
More than 1000 petitions have been
received by Congressman Nicely, asking
HIM to move in the House of Representa-.
tives that the judicial conduct of Judge
A. G.. Dayton be investigated, with 8
view to impeachment. Mr.. Nicely so fai
has taken no steps in the matter and it il
hardly to be supposed that he will do so
till more testimony is adduced than was
already presented to the judiciary com.
| mittee and turned down by it.
The Attorney General has approved
the selection by Col. Stuart w. Walker,
U. S. Attorney for the northern district
OF West Virginia. of his two assistants.
He selected j. j. p. O'Brien, of Wheel
ing, and Harry III. Byrer, of Phlippi,
the latter secretary of the State committee.
Both have taken the oath OF office and
assumed the new duties.
The designation OF Richmond as federal
bank reserve city for all of West Virginia
except the four counties. Hancock,
Brooke, Ohio and Marshall, which are
placed in the Cleveland district, does not
seem to have proved very satisfactory tc
any part of the State. Many other 10.
calities in various parts of the United
States are dissatisfied with the arrange.
ment and appeals will be made to the
tull board when it is appointed, asking
for some changes in the reserve cities. II
will be several weeks before the remain.
ing members of the board are appointed.
In the limited time for debate on the
matter OF the repeal of the toll exemption
| Tor the Panama canal, dozens of persons
who desired to speak were prevented
from doing go. The House, however,
provided that those who had not been
heard and who desired to be heard, might
print statements in the Congressional
Record. Congressman Brown was one
OF these who had no chance to speak and
is preparing a statement for insertion in
the Record, explaining his position on
the matter. He will have copies of il
distributed in his district among those
who care for it, giving his reasons for
voting as he did.
Rural credits, matter intended 10 aid
the farmers of the country, will be the
next matter considered by the House
Banking and Currency Committee, Of
which Congressman Brown is a member.
Mr.. Brown intends 10 assist in every way
possible in getting a suitable bill out of
the measures which have been proposed.
and will take an active part in the work
Of tie committee along this line, Just az
he did in the preparation Of the federal
reserve banking and currency law.
The House Judiciary Committee.
through subcommittee, gave a hearing
last week on Congressman Browns bin
to provide for the holding Of term Of
court at Elkins each year. a representa-
tive delegation Of business and pro-
ies5ional men we're here and presented
facts and fguers Of a convincing nature,
10 show that their city should have the
term Of court. The construction Of the
nov nn.l nNlrn LlliIIirl, Inr Min H.