Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-12-23
WasLInEtoa Letter.


Washington, Dec. 81 The event Of
the week in Washington, with regard
to West Virginia was the announce
ment BY Sherman C. Denham. Of
Clarksburg, regarded as political man
ager for Governor Hatfield. that the
Governor isl6 candidate for election to
the United States Senate. 1t has been
known for some time that Governor
Hatfield was getting himself in readi-
ness to make the race, but the an
nouncement by Mr.. Denham in Wash
ington, of the fact, after the Governor
had been here for several days. seems
to make the matter certain. 1t is the
usual custom for West Virginia Re-
publicans to start their political cam
paigns in Washington. and the Govern
or is living up to the traditions Of the
party.
Virgil D. Highlan !, of Clarksburg.
who was chosen in place of William
Seymour Edwards as a member of the
Republican National Committee by
what former Senator Davis Elkins
calls ''underhand methods" voted to
hold the Repub Jean National Conven-
tion June z, at Chicago. Under the
new State primary law, delegates to
that convention from West Virginia
cannot be chosen until June s, and
they must be chosen then in primary
election. 1t usually takes several days
to get full returns in from. West Vir.
ginia at an election, SO the probability
is that West Virginia will not be rep
resented in the Republican National
Convention, as that convention proba-
bly, will be over before it can be as
certained who the delegates from
West Virginia are.
Senator Chilton's bill authorizing a
suit by WefNjrginia against the Uni.
ted States Tor the claim arising out of
the sale of lands in what was known as
the Northwest Territory, coded to the
government by Virginia, was referred
by the Judiciary Committee, of the
Senate to sub committee, of which
Senator Chiffon is chairman, and the
other members are Senator Hoke
Smith, of Georgia, and Senator A. B.
tiummins, of Iowa, The Governor and
the Attorney General of West Virgin
ia have been invited by Senator Chill
ton to present any data they may have
to the sub committee which is to re-
| port to the full committee on Jan. 6.
If West Virginia is authorized to sue,
it is believed it can get judgment
against the United States for enough
to pay tia part of the Virginia debt !.
/ Strong pressure was brought to bear
on Congress man Nicely to get him to
introduce resolution for the impeach-
ment of Judge A. G. Dayton, of the
United States Court for the Northern
District of West irginia twas rep.
resented that he has. strong influence
in the House, as shown by his assign
ment to the judiciary Committee, and
that it would strengthen the case to
have him introduce the charges. To
do SO, however, would render him in
eligible to sit in judgment on the case
as member If the committee, SO he
did not introduce them. It's expected,
however, that Immediately on the re.
converting of Congress, the impeach,
ment resolution will be introduced anC
the case started again.
4 Congressman Brown, who is ranking
member of the House Committee or
banking and currency, is strongly ir
| favor Of the enactment Of law pro.
viding for rural credits He believes
the farmer who has his crop in the
ground should be abe to borrow on il
sufficient to mature and harvest the
crop, and he will try to put through
some sort of measure which will pro
vide for it. Mr.. Brown is also strong
| ly in favor of larger navy and aslar
ger army. He IS in favor of the adj
ministration plan for enlarging the ma.
Wy, but believes the best way to en-
large the army is by making the ma
tional guard the basis of il. giving pay
to the guaIdsmen and giving them the
training Of soldiers This would give
a trained army for use on immediate
notice at any time. In order to pay
for the enlarged army and navy, Mr..
Brown would increase the income tar
which he regards as The fairest Of al
taxes. Other methods may be squir.
ed, but he believes the basis of the in
creased tax should be the incomes.
The Senate has confirmed the follow
ing postmasters in the Second District
of West Virginia. appointed on The
recommendation Ct Congressman
Brown; Edgar ]. 10y, Romney; W.
Jack Hunter, Berkeley Springs; ]. H
i S. Barlow. Grafton: Philip H. Keys
Keyser; Ihos. E. Hodges, Morgan
town. The President has also sent t,
the Senate the nomination of S. C
/. Young, nominated on the recon men
dation of Mr.. Brown, to be postmastel
at Charles Town. His confirmation il
expected as soon as the Senate meets
again.
Congressman Brown has recommend
ed T. M. Conner for appointment al
postmaster at Harpers Ferry, and hi.
nomination is expected to go to tn.
Senate soon after the re assembling OF
Congress.
] Nothing But An American.
From ''The Life and Letters of Johr