Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-12-17
Washington Letter.
from Geo. W. summer..l

From Geo. w. Summers,l
Washington, Dec ember Is. Pclitica
news which reaches Washington from
West Virginia indicates that the old
game Of promising support for the Sen
atorship to numerous candidates and
giving it to none, which worked 50 we'll
two years ago. is being played again,
and that even one Of the same candiA |
dates who was double. crossed before is
again in the game. accepting another
promise of support, although he proba-
bly, lost The Senatorship two years ago
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 right even
to fill a vacancy in the Senate by ap-
pointment. it is being promised to each
of several prominent Republicans that
Senator Golf will resign and each one is
told that he will he appointed by the
Govern,r to fill the vacancy, provided
he gives his support to the sdministra-
ton in organizing and running the leg
islature az 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
Used support two years ago and failed
to get II, is said to be biting at the
hook. on which the Senatorial bait is
hung and Virgil l. Highland, Of Clarks-
burg, is syid to be playing around the
hook, almost ready to take nibble.
Davis Elkins, who was another of the
famous Double Cross Trio of 1912. has
even had the bait before his eyes. hut
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 strangtst
part of the affair is tina; >asc T a.arn
after being fooled two years age,
should fall for the same kind Of bait 30
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- lected
and vacancy can only be filed by
special election exc. pit in cases where
State adopts a law providing for tbs
filling Of vacancy by appointment Of
the Governor. when it may be done.
West Virginia has passed no such law,
and an appointment from the Governor
would not be recognized by the Senate
unless the Legislature should provide
for The filing of a vacancy in such
way. Possibly the control of the legis-
latnre il sought SO that such law may
be passed, giving the Governor power
to fill a vacancy BY appointment. Should
such law be passed by the West Vir-
iginia legislature, 1t is safe to say that
not one OF the persons to.whom prom
ises may have been made would be APP
pointed Senator in case of Senator
Golf 8 resignation. With friend as
President of the Senate. the program
following the resignation of Judge Golf
should it occur and should the law be
passed providing for the appointment
Of his successor. the Governor would
resign without filing the vacancy. the.
Presidential 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
Eresighing 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 ease of his election to
the Senate. so that the man Awho engi-.
neered his election could succeed him
there is little chance that he 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 ingloriopsly 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. It provides for
submitting TO the States an amendment
to the federal constitution to prohibit
the manufacture, sale or importation. of
Intoxicating liauorsin the United States
and ali TERRITORY over which it may
have control, forever. II is coatem-
plated that vote will be taken in the
House next week and friends Of the
resolution insist it will be adopted. /
Should it pass the Honse, It will have
to 60 to the Senate and then. if the
Senate passes it, the amendment viii
60 to the States for ratification, Thirty
six States viii have to Fatify i to make
it q part Of the federal CoHptitntion.
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 IL Europe begin
to be felt n beneficial way in West
Virginia. Owing 70 the cloning of many
factories abroad and the destruction Of
many glass plants in Belgium, the Ia-