Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-11-25

CHARLESTON, w. Va. Nov. %
The action of the state senate yes
terdav in passing the governors pet
measure, the Ripper Bill" has Gre
ated considerable i'll feeling, which
Is in evidence everywhere. The four
Republicans who refused to support
the measure have been made the sub
iects Of severe criticism, which has
only added to fuel to the flames. 1t
now appears that the governor will
not have much difficulty in getting
his entire program through
Bills Passed.
Under pressure from state house
leaders, with signs of insurgency de-
Yeloping and amidst scenes as dra-
matte as any witnessed in the SEN
ate in recent years Senate Bill 8,
known as the Ripper Bill" which
seeks to prevent incoming governors
from removing appointive officers ev-
en- for cause, and two other measures
relating to election contests passed
the senate yesterday.
Four Republican senators, Goody-
koontz, of Mingo; McAboy, of Cabell;.
Miller, of Jackson, and Marshall, of
Hancock. voted with the Democrats
against the Ripper Bill, which is aim
ed at John J. Cornwell, the first Dem
Ocrat elected governor in 20 years.
oil CT
Senator Goodykoontz, with tears
streaming down his cheeks and his
voice ehoked with feeling. recited his
reasons for opposing the bill. con-
Guiding with this expression:
u very much regret to be unable
to act in harmony with the majority
members of this body, but would
rather go to political oblivion than
to pass out of this chamber knowing
that ] had not voted in accordance
with my sworn duty to support the
constitution as God has given me the
light to see my duty"
McAboy Also Insurgent.
Sitting beside the Mingo senator
was Senator McAboy, who has been
faithful adherent of the state adj
ministration. When he rose to ex-
plain his vote against the measure and
against the, administration he, too,
broke down. He said he had been at
tackled from business standpoint
and his loyalty impeached and that
ne probably would be censured, but
declared that there was a monitor
within his breast with which he had
10 live and he could not conscien-
tlously vote for measure which he
did not believe to be constitutional
Senator Marshall. in casting his
vote against the bill, expressed the
belief that it was in contravention of
the constitution and that it would
prove disastrous to the Republican
party Senator Miller also said, be-
neVing as he did that the bill was
not constitutional, he could not con
scientiously support it.
IN one of the best speeches of the
cay Senator Beckwith, of Jefferson,
declared that the bill would abrogate
the plain provisions of the constitu-
uon in that it transferred the power
Oh removal to the supreme court and
~ IN effect altered the organic law
Oh the state. He told the majority
ne hoped they were right in beiiev-
ing That the bill was for the good of
'he state. He declared that the bill
would drag Town the judicial ermine
mo the mire of politics.
IN voting for the bill, Senator Ros-
eholoom. OF Ohio county, said taat
ne did so because it was in accorl-
ahce with the principles for which
ne mad eontended at the last session
OF the legislature.
G. o. p. Refuses Delay.
"hen the ripper bill was taken up
!" the senate Senator Fox sought TO
nave it made special order for ) p.
~ Senator Rosenbloom in explain
,ns nus vote reviewed the fight the
Doniocrats made against a one-man
poWer in the last session. He said
uley conld not show him a menace
- tle bill he would have to vote for
cue Dill Senator Fox's motion was
lost, IL to II.
'onowing motion to recess. Sem
@'oI hump, of Hampshire, spoke
against the bin and questioned the
motives of those who stood sponsor
~ y IN urging it at this time and in
oeeAlhg to secure it's passage without
s''lhg more time for its considera-
uon by the legislature and the people
Of the state.
Gag Rule Applied In Senate.
me frequent application of the pre-