Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-05-21
Washington Letter.
From Geo. w. Summers. J


Washington, May 19th.- Much COM
plant has reached Washington from
West Virginia Republicans in connec-
ton with the all ged setting up Of the
Republican State convention to be held
at Charleston this week, 30 as to place
it directly under the control OF Cover
nor Hatfield. It's understood thar this
convention will select member of the
Republican national committee to sue
coed William Seymour Edwards, who
was removed from the committee on
the ground that he wasl q Progressi, @.
rather than Republican. In the West
Virginia ''amaIgamasi ID schemes The
Stand Patters would have it appear
that all Progressiyes area Republicans
but when it comes to placing one of
them on the Republican committee the
line is drawn, Mr. Edwards may be
good enough to "amalgamate' by
voting the Republican ticket but he is
NOT good enough to remain on the Re-
publican national committee and there
fore the election of his successor. Gov
erpor Hatfield. the great .'amalgama-
tor" is understood to have aspirations
to fill the vacancy on the national COM
mittee, and it has been charged that
commissions, boards, employees and
every one on the State payroll, togeth
er with those who want to get on have
all been dragooned into the work of
packing the convention with delegates
who will be responsive to the Cover
nor's ambition. In spite Of the effort
to send only Hatfield delegates to the
convention. some strong and influential
Republicans have let it be known that
they will oppose his selection as ma
sional committeeman and the conven-
ton promises to be interesting
Nation wide prohibition is not dead,
in the opinion of its friends. notwith-
standing the limited program Of 4legis-
lation adopted by the Democratic eau
Gus at its recent meeting. 1t is be-
lieved that such pressure will be
brought to bear on members of Con
gress that another caucus will have to
be called or that the rules committee
will bring in a rule for the immediate
consideration of the question and thus
throw it before the House for action.
If the resolution proposing the amend
ment to the federal constitution pro-
hihiting the manufacture and sale of
alcoholic liquors comes before the Con-
gress it will pass, is the opinion of
great many persons and friends of the
measure who will leave no step untaken
to bring it before the House.
Col. W. Wylie Beall, candidate for
the Democratic nomination for Con
gresham at Large. has been here at.
tending his daughters graduating ex-
ercises at Washington Seminary APP
parentIy Hal Depue. Of Roane county,
is his only opponent for the animation
which will be msda at the State con-
vention at Parkersburg June "a Con-
gresham at Large Howard Sutherland
it is learned will have opposition for
the Republican nomination for the Of
zee. Probably, however. he will he
able to win the nomination, The con-
yention toname q Republican candidate
has not bean called yet.
I I
For the second time Congressman
Brown has been requested by Charles
W. Brandon, Of Philippi. who will OPP
pose Mr.. Brown for the nomination for
Congressman. to engage in joint de-
bates on the subject Of Panama canal
tolls. Mr.. Brnwn's reply follows: Ny
duties here again prevent nae from &c
cepting your challenge TO debate the
canal tolls question. / am sending 20
600 copies Of my speech into the district
which viii fully explain my position.
and during your campaign would be
glad 70 have You read my speech ard
then reply to It. am sending you 100
copies Of i BY tOday's mail. which +
trust yon viii Distribute among yonr
friends. Ny position IS fallg sst forth