New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-27
Arms May Be Used to
Meet Governors
Aggression
ATTEMPT TO STEAL
ELECTION CHARGED
Many Republicans Bolt
His Scheme to Go Be-
hind Returns
By STEVENSON Fl. EVANS

By STEVENSON Fl. EVANS
Wheeling, W. Va, Nov. 26.-"1f
things 60 much further at Charleston,
!, for one, am prepared to be part OF
an armed force to so down there and
let the Governor ard his gang under
stand that they can't ride roughshod
over the rights of the people Of West
Virginia.
al am not for lynch law or for an
srchy. | never made a threat Of this
kind in my life. But l have got TO the
point where am ready 70 polish up the
old rife and, if necessary, shed blood
There comes time when physical
force is all that men can depend on. IL
that time has come in this state, let US
use force. and use it quick"
These words are not the irresponsible
ramblings of a nobody. They were
spoken quietly to me this evening by
one of the most substantial lawyers in
the biggest city of West Virginia. He
sat in the lounge Of the Fort Henry
Club here, discussing without excite
ment the situation which has been de-
veloping since Governor Hatfield sum-
moned the Legislature to curtail the
powers of the incoming Democratic
Governor.
Dynamite In Situation
There is real dynamite in the present
amazing political condition Of West
Virginia. The people of the state
among whom Republican oficeholders
e1cepted) there is little gratitude for
Governor Hatfield's eleventh hour at
tempt to curtaii the Czsr-like powers
Of his Office, will feel more at ease
when the special session OF the fast
dying Legislature sdjourns. but they
will not feel secure until the Governor
elect, John J. CornweiI. assumes office
on March 4.
II is significant cf the low plane on
which West Vlrginians talk, think and
play politics that among those most
deeply interested only two motives are
ascribed to the Governor for his latest
attempt to make the Legislature create
a commission to investigate all charges
of corrupt practices NJ .he recent cleo
ton, the members of the commission to
be named by himself. These motives
are:
To raid the state treasury and make
fat Jobs for outgoing officeholders.
To prevent the Inauguration of Gov
ernor-elect Cornwell.
Would Go Behind Returns
The latest message Of the Governor
reached the Legislature when il was
nearly ready to adjourn. According TO
the independent Republicans, who had
agreed to stand for the comparatively
moderate programme OF reform" laid
down in the Governors first message,
they were assured that the plan TO take
from the Governor all power of ap-
pointment had been abandoned and
that nothing further would be at
tempted Now comes the effort TO clothe
n Governors commission with sweeping
inquisitorial powers TO 20 behind the
face OF returns which gave the state to
the Democratic candidate for Governor
by more than 5000.
The present Legislature of West Vir-
ginia will cease TO exist at midnight
Thanksgiving Day. Whatever else il
does at the request Of its mountaineer
Governor, Henry D. Hatfield, must be
done in four days. The probabilities
are that the special session, which al
ready has sent TO the Governor sweep
ing laws curtailing the power OF the
Chief Executive, will terminate to-mor-
row night.
Nine Republicans Bolt
Hurried adjournment last night came
after two efforts to caucus the Repub-
lican Senator'S In favor of the commits
sion TO investigate election frauds. OF
the thirty Senators, nineteen are Re-
pubicans. Nine declined 10 stand for
the resolution. declaring openly that it
was merely the first step in a scheme
10 keep the Democratic Governor-elect
wrongfully from Office. OF the eighty
four members of the House only thir-
ty-fve could be lined up in favor of the
scheme.
Observers are at a loss TO account
for the Governors message Of Friday
reciting various charges of gross cleo
tion frauds and demanding the investi-
eating body. They say that the Gov
ernor is too good politician to at
tempt something he cannot put over.
Therefore they are fearful lest the
Hatfield machine has card or two left
to play.
AS was pointed out in previous dis
patches in The Tribune. there is much
that is good in the laws adopted in the
last four days at the behest Of the
Governor. II he stops where he is he
will do well. II he goes further he may
bring on very serious trouble.