West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-02-18
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Congressional Committee at Work
Investigating Charges Against
judge Osyton-imrrIorstlon Bill
Falls to Pass Over Presldsnts Veto
Republicans Filibusterlna Against
Passage OF Ship Purchase Bin
(From Goo. w. Summers)

J OF the judicial conduct of Aston q. Day
! ton, Judge OF the United States court for
the northern district of West Virginia,
was recommended to the House of Rep
rcsentativcs yesterday 10y the committee
on the judiciary, after that committee
had made an exhaustive inquiry into the
charges against Judge Dayton. Congress-
man Nicely several months ago offered
resolution for the investigation of Judge
| Dayton's official conduct and the com.
mittec worked for long time through
sub committee. The subcommittee re-
ported Monday, recommending the i'm
vestiRation. with view TO impeachment.
The full committee adopted the report of
the b'committee and recommended To
Congress that the investigation be made.
The charges against Judge Dayton, which
the House Ia asked TO investigate through
the Judiciary committee allege that Judge
Dayton conspired to have his predecessor
removed 80 lac could be appointed; that
he has shown marked iayoritism To GER
tain corporations having litigation IN his
court; that he has summoned juries from
men connected with these corporations
and has violated the law regarding the
summoning OF jurors; that he has used
his power as judge To further the interests
oil his son; that he has lent his services
IA Judge to the coal operators; that he
has used his office to prevent miners from
organizing; that he has said the United
Mine Workers will not be permitted To
exist within his jurisdiction; that he has
said mine workers are criminal conspira.
tors; that lac has conspired 10 form
carbon trust in violation OF the law and
has been guilty of other acts of personal
and judicial misconduct for which he
should be impeached. IL IL expected the
investigation will bc made before the
close OF the present session OF Congress,
and that, II he is in,peached by the
House, he will be tried 10y the Senate at
the coming session.
Every member of the House from
West Virginia voted last Thursday To
pass the immigration bill over the veto
oil President Wilson. Ii was one of the
few times when every West Virginian in
the House has voted at the same time
| and one OF the few times when all the
members from the State have voted alike
on any question. Congressman Neely
and Brown, the two Democrats from the
FIRST and Second districts respectively,
with Messp. Avis, Moss, Hughes and
Sutherland, the four Republicans in the
House from West Virginia, all voted to
pass the bill over the presidential veto.
The bill failed 10 get the necessary two
thirds vote to pass il over the veto and
consequently 1t has been killed. Presi-
dent Taft vetoed a similar bill and IL failed
TO pass over his veto. The bill limited
immigration to this country and placed
an educational qualification on those who
| could be admitted TO this country. Letters
from constituents in West Virginia indi-
Gates wide spread interest in the bill
In that State and showed that many
persons there favored the bill. Mr..
Brown was on the committee on mmigra
ton and naturalization which practically
'fN'''N viz pHi iii tit AOliHTtfN DtIOIt lIlt
present on2 and he took an active part
in the framing Of the bill. He il not on
that committee this year but his work
was still seen in the bill which the House
attempted TO pass over the veto an miss
ed passing by only eleven votes.
The Senate has been busy for several
weeks trying TO get some kind OF an
argument and some action on the bill TO
authorize the United States government
to lease, purchase or construct merchant
vessels to assist in establishing mor-
chant shipping business, thereby provid-
ing tie means for shipping abroad many
oil the products OF this country which are
wanted abroad but Tor which transpOrta-
ton can not be had, at profitable rates.
The President has urged the passage of
the bill and Senator Chiffon stands with
him IN the matter. Senator Golf is op-
posed 10 the measure and il counted upon
to assist in defeating IL, ii the measure
comes to vote. The President and
many OF the Democrats seem determined
70 pass the measure i'm some form or
other and expect, with some meamendments
TO Get support from several Progressive
Senator'S. II the Republicans continue
TO iillbuster against the passage Of the
bill, az they have been doing for some
time, IL seems probable there will be an
extra session Of Congress, either 10 con-
slider the bill or to consider the ap-
preparation bills, which will fail to
pass If the ship purchase bill is not
soon got out Of the way.
Attorneys for the Commonwealth Of
Virginia have given notice that on Feb.
% they will file with the Supreme Court
Of the United States the exceptions Of
Virginia to the findings Of the Special
Master, Charles r. Lttefeld, in the
State debt case. West Virginians who
have not felt that full justice was done
them IN the report Of the master should
note that Virginia feels agQrieved also
and the court will have % determine
whether the master findings are right or
not Heretofore it has accepted the find
. IL al -. -