West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-02-25

House judiciary committee will have
determined whether to recommend the
impeachment Of Judge Aston G. Dayton,
oil the United States Court for the north
ern district of West Virginia. A SUBJ
committee of the judiciary committee has
been taking testimony in regard TO the
official conduct OF the Judge for about
ten days and certainly within day or
two, and possibly earlier, it will conclude
Its Investigations under the resolution
introduced by Congressman Nicely and
unanimously adopted 10y the House, pro-
viding for an inquiry as to whether the
action OF the House is necessary or not.
While it is neither possible nor proper to
try to anticipate the action of the House
In regard TO the matter, it is fact that
the parties who are supplying the infor-
nation in the case have felt that il is not
necessary TO put all their witnesses on
the stand, feeling rhat enough has been
shown already. The present investigation
is similar to that made by a grad jury
before returning an indictment, and il
Judge Dayton should be impeached by
the House the Senate will try the i'm
parchment charges as court tries the
case OF a man who has been indicted by
a grand jury. The impression seems to
prevail among those who have been fol-
lowing the case that the House committee
will recommend the impeachment. Should
this be done, the House probably would
adopt the report of its committee and
make the impeachment, leaving it to be
tried by Il e Senate after the close of the
present Congress. Unless there is a
special session OF Congress, the Senate
would not meet again till December, so
that il the impeachment is made the case
will probably rest till next winter, while
II the House votes not to impeach the
end will come before the fourth of March.
OF considerable interest i'm Washington
was the action OF the West Virginia
Legislature in rejecting the bill which
would have permitted the Governor to
| fill vacancies in the Senate by appoint
ment. While there has been no founda.
ton for 1t, the report has gone around
that Senator Nathan Golf intends to rc-
sign on account of his health. The re.
ported reason for introducing the bill to
authorize the Governor to appoint to fill
Senatorial vacancy was that Governor
Hatfield might get into the Senate by
appointment, when he might never get
there in any other way. 1t is understood
he wanted the bill passed so that he
could resign as Governor, in case Senator
Golf should resign, permitting President
OF the Senate England TO become Govern.
or. In return for the Governorship.
Mr.. England. according to this program,
would have appointed Hatfield Senator
But the bill to authorize the appointment
OF Senators was defeated by an over
wheiming vote. so the Governor must be
elected by tie voters OF the State, il he is
ever to sit in the Senate.
Testimony given before the Interstate
Commerce Commissions chairman, Mr.
Harlan, in connection with the investiga.
ton under Senator Chilton's resolution
Tor an investigation OF the ownership and
control of the Little Kanawha Railroad
showed that the road was bought by
Joseph Ramsey and associates and after
wards turned over by them to the Gould
interests when they were planning a
trans-continental line. The road was
also expected to open up large coal fields
in Lewis, Braxton aud Gilmer counties
When the Goulds found the cost was in
excess OF their means the trunk line idea
was abandoned and work was stopped.
All the available funds were then diverted
to build the Buckhannon aud Northern
Railroad and open up coal fields con-
tiguous TO it. Ii was shown that the
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie, the Baltimore
and Ohio and the Pennsylvania Railroads
now own the Little Kanawha properties
and that the Little KanaWha Railroad
and its coal holdings are for sale but that
the Buckhannon and Northern holdings.
are not for sale. II was brought out bl
railroad men that the Little Kanawha
Railroad could only be made profitable IL
1t had adequate western connections. and
that most Of the coal in the Little Kama
wha basin could be hauled out 10 better
advantage through Weston and Clarks.
burg than through the Little KaBasha
valley. II was shown, however, that
two parties are now negotiating for the
purchase Of the Little KaDawha road
with a view TO extending IL.
Senator w. +. Chiffon was one Of the
participants in "fddlers fight before
the National Press Club last THURSDAY
night. Byron X. Newton, assistant
secretary fthe treasury and Congressman
Borchers, Of Illinois, were the other con.
iestants for iddlers honors. The contest
was delared draw, after senator Chiffon
had executed Sour Mountain. Turkey IN
the Straw and Way up Cabin Creek
The best apples in the world are pro.
duced close Washington, said S. l.. Lup-
ton, president Of the Eastern Fruit Grow
ers Association, but the people Of the
capital will not paw for them and most Of
them are sold abroad, where consumers
are willing 10 pay the price for them.
About 100 fruit growers from Virginia.
West Virginia Maryland and Delaware
attended the meeting. The eastern pan
handle Of West Virginia was part n the
territory included IN that which produces
the best fruit in the world.
Senator Chiffon has been notified by
the Postofbce Department that examina.
tons for appointment ~ fourth csss
postmasters will have 10 be held over At
more than rs offices, because Of the fact