The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-01-13
Chief Executive Shows High
Class in His Recommends
tionsto the Legislature.
URGES PR o GRE ssIvE STEPS
And A dmonistes State Solons
to Be Jealous lin Promoting
States Welfare.
'sseseiAl ,,esssses,

tseseiAL cossss,esnxxes,
CHARLESTON, w. Va, Jan. 49,
= Outlining an extensive program OF
y progressive Legislation, which he
hopes to have enacted at the present
session, Governor Henry D. Hatfield
today sent his first biennial message
to the West Virginia Legislature. In
: his message the governor deals at
length with the general conditions Of
the state and calls attention to the
laws he desires enacted, except those
relating to the states finances. Spec
ial messages will later be delivered
on taxation and finance, in which the
governor will make his recommends
tons to meet the deficit in the state
treasury, and on the Virginia debt
suit, which Is pending in the Supreme
y Court Of the United States.
Five amendments to the state con-
sfitution are recommended by Cover
nor Hatfield and score OF new laws
are included in his program, while
there are numerous amendments to
existing laws which the executive
would have placed on the stature
books.
Progressive Legislation.
Though depending upon, the mem-
bership of the Legislature in general
to adopt laws he points out as need
: ed, Governor Hatfield puts It square
liz up 10 the Republican members, who
are largely in the majority IN both
branches, to carry out their platform
pledges, declaring that s.he who fails to
recognize the progressive spirit of our
party and takes the recent victory as
I m endorsement OF reactionary polic-
les, has failed to appreciate the trend
and Esprit uf sour loyal Sonstituen"y. r
The element Of the people that
controls our party's destiny = he said,
does not stand for stagnation OF pnr-
pose or procrastination Of duty, but
belieyes in the progressive trend tow
ard accompl ishment OF purpose In
keeping with the party's teachings as
enunciated by its founders"
Especially pointed out as Republi-
can platform pledges are a primary
election law, corrupt practices act,
4 county salary law, weights and meas
ures law, woman suffrage, the initia-
tive. referendum and recall, promo
ton Of agriculture, conservation Of
: the states streams, road development
and the simplif cation Of court pro-
cedure.
Constitutional Amendments.
The constitutional amendments that
Governor Hatfield would have sub
mittcd to a vote OF the people are
those providing for woman suffrage.
for which he declared in his inaugur-
al address nearly two years ago; the
initiative. referendum and. recall in
Keeping with the Massachusetts, plan
Y which he declares safety devices in
the hands Of the people, giving them
an etfectual remedy IN protecting their
ipalienable rights and says would
aiford effectnal methods in assuring
y a stable, health, local town and city
governments" the short ballot, giving
as an argument in Its behalf the fact
that all successful business enter
prises make one head responsible and
taking the view that this principle
should prevail in AFFAIRS Of govern
ment In this connection 1t is recon-
mended that a body be substituted FOR
the present county court which would
nave the administration OF all flscal
affairs including those relating to the
pubic schools; the classification OF
( property for purposes Of taxation in
order that the states resources can
+ be properly conserved; and an amend
iiient by, which forfeited, delinquent
and Incorporated lands remain I'M
the name Of the state .instead. OF be-
ing sold and gohbIed up by land
sharks from other states at q price
too inhnitesiinal to mention" In this
way, Governor Hatfield points out,
the state would acquire, and especial
jy IN the past would have acquired,
valuable timber and mineral lands
4 and would have forest reserves OF In
4 estimable value.
Governor Hatfield recommends al
primary election law providing for
primaries to be held on the same day
by all paroles and including the nom
tnatfon OF all candidates for Office,
including United States senator and a
preferential vote for president and
Vice president Of the United States.
Z He would have every legal safeguard
TO protect the integrity of the cleo
t0rate participa ting in the primary
He desires enacted a. strong corrupt
pfactices act, the present law having
been proven ineffective. The act
should include publicity Of all cam
paign expendi tures and both princf-
lspal and accomplice should be held
'accountable for non 7compl Nance. Al
maximum OF expendit nres should he
fixed and the penalt should be for
Z feifure Of nominal ton or ONCE in adj
: tiftion to other penalties. = q
Abolish Fee System.
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