The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-11-24
Some Republican Members.
Voted Against the
Bill.
BRIBERY PROBE OPENED NED
Both Houses Started Late
Because of Inquiry Be
ing Made.

tHy Associated Press)
CHARLESTON, Nov. 24-The frs,
OF the bills submitted in the COVER
nors legislative program passed the,
House Immediately after 1t met to
day.
1t is the senate bill providing fol
manner In which appointive officert
may be removed by the governor. but
differs from the old law in that the
dismissed official may appeal to the
supreme court. II provides specificals
ly that ANY officer or agent whose
torn OF office is fixed by law" d af.
fected. The vote was As ayes and "a
noes.
Republicans who voted against the.
bill were Davis Of Writ; Harmon Of.
Mcdowell; Dobson OF Nicholas: Lem
on OF Fayette; Lilly Of Mercer and:
Thomas OF Tucker. Delegate Dayiss
was the only Republican, to explain
his vote and he declared his OPPOSE.
ton 70 the bill because 1t was oppos.t
ed to the constitution and because, thu.
spirit OF the bill Is TO wlthhold from
the opposite party things which pe0
pie have given 10 them. I am opposed.
to this bill because Of the things that
We as Republicans have done In the
past and for which the people are call
ing us to account at this time"
The primary bill was taken ur
but recess was taken before actor
was reached
The Senate spent the early part oi
the day on the registration BIN. The
vote taken yesterday on Minority
Leader Fox's amendment against reg
istpation by affidavit on the immedite
preceding election was announced af
ter Senator. Goodykoontz, Carter and
Miller had changed their votes. Thif
defeated the amendment 13 to Is.
Investigation OF the charge that
efforts were being made to In;
duce members OF the House al.
Delegates by use OF large sunni
Of money and promises Of politit,
cal preferment TO oppose the legisla
tive program OF Governor Hatfield
made yesterday in the House by i. IT,
Wolfe, Of Rapley, who was appointed
chairman OF the investigation commit
tee was deferred this morning until
This afternoon.
Chairman Wolfe conferred for III
hour with Thos Townsend, proseSttt
ing attorney Of Kanawha county, and
then announced to the committees Is
sembled In the Governors reception
room that subpoenas would not besisi
sued until noon. THE session 10 rap
IDLY drawing 10 Close" he said, land
about all the committee could do wculcE
be TO place in the prosecuting sattor
ney's hands such information as hi,
could later use In his official capac
iiy." S;
Delegates James MorelanG, DEM
eCratic member OF the committees
from MorSantowI reminded tho chair
man that last night had been wasted AZ
this morning was beng wasted and The;
House did lot want to rest under the,
charge any longer than was absolute
ly necessary.
Wolfe said all possible haste would
be made anu the subpoenas issued ~
q few hours
1t was understood that some Of the
witnesses wanted we've not now IN +
Charleston. MIR. Townsend said thai
dozen or more witnesses would like
ly be called today.
CHARLESTON, Nov. 24.-Beginnina
late Wednesday night and continuing
all day yesterday one heard reports OIL
attempts to secure Republican mem
beers of the House to vote agailst
Senate Bill No. 3. the Hatfield measure
that would protect the appointive stats
Iayroll from removal by John J. Corn
we'll, incoming Democratic governor.
There were ruIuors of delegates be-.
ing invited TO visit suite Of rooms III 5
one OF the hotels occupied by men OBJ
l,osed to the Hatfield legislation.
From the Hatncld circles came re
Forts that detectives were shadowifS
every more and the administration
would take some decisive step bef0ra
the day ended. One story was, tos thaj
effect that three Republican, legisia
tors had agreed to vote against the
payroll protective measure.
There IRE a number of Republican,
in the House who are willing oIaid ON
ell the other Hatfield bills but eaeSof,
this one which will continue iHatfeids
appointees fer at least two years into
the Cornwcll administration.
Before the proposed bribery inquiry
was instituted. there was a probabiiS
ity of the legislature concluding it,
business Saturday. but this may BE
upset now. 50 -