The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1916-01-21
THREE YEARS
: POLITICAL AlsToR!!!
(Continued from Page One. }

snce at the Legislature in the interest Of
certain laws he desired enacted in order
that be could put them into effect fol low-
ing bis Inauguration. At the final meet
ing OF the Republican caucus. when il
looked a. though the session would sd-
sisted that the csucns remain in session
until they agreed upon some nc minee.
After many hours OF deliberation Sens-
tor Gofi was chosen. The part. and only
part, Governor Hatfield played in that
election MAS his inaistence that the can
cus agree upon some one. without regard
70 whom the nominee might he.
After his inauguration, Governor Hat
field, in makieg his appointments, did
what lac thought hest to hiring his party
together and prepare il for victory i'm the
campaign OF 1914, and 70 disprove the
assertion, which had been made. that he
would surround himself with a few men
from the southern end of the state who
would direct the destinies OF the Repub-
ican party during his term in Office. He
Gid not make his appointments with o
view To rewarding only those who had
stood closest to him aud were more loyal
IN their support Of his nomination and
election; but he made good his campaign
promise to recognize all factions of the
party, and in some instances appointed
hen To Office who had been strenuously
Opposed To his nomination and who were
not uery enthusiastic for his election.
Further step toward party harmony
we're taken by Governor Hatfield when
the Republican state committee met i'm
Charleston in February, 1914, and by
80 doing he offended some of his good
friends Who were averse 10 counting the
favor Of the Progressive party. The
Governor MAS desiriou- of having the
committee take position upon some of
The Progressive principles advocated by
the third party IN the hope Of bringing
rhe Progressive committee together with
the Republlczn committee, 50 ~ to as
sure the election of a legislature that
would make good the promises OF the Re-
publican convention held at Huntington
IN 1912 prior to the division Of the pa rty
nationally, and to which Governor Hal
held and the party were committed.
When the Republican state convention
assembled in the spring of 1914, the Gov
ernor advocated the same principles and
again had u wage = contest against some
oil his closest personal and political
friends in order to have endorsed a plat
form which would bring the Progressive
element back to the fold Of Republicism
This he Wa successful in doing, and thu
result Was that only with q 81, 900 cam
paign fund for the whole state a leyisla
ture, Republican IN both branches. VA,
elected 10y An overwhelming majority
and every pledge made by the Republi
can conventions Of 1912 and 1914 hav,
carried out.
In the light Of this record the question
ton Is asked a. to why there 10 a 20 call
ell anti II sttield'' faction in the Repub
lican party If West Virgins. Ii started
when Mr.. Mann and Mr.. Elkins fsilet
u get seat in the United State S~nate
and It was revived after the election of ,
Legislature in 1914 when one Of them al
least had made the sssertion that th.
party could not possibly lie reunited un.
al 1917, If then. Neither of them ~.
sisted the state committee in the cam.
paien OF 1914, financially or otherwise.
and same say they did not Vote; but both
were on hand bright and early in 1915
70 organize the legislature against Gov.
ernor Hatfield and, - Was evidenced
later TO the most dense, in the interest
OF special privileges. In this they also
failed.
The real anti Hatfield faction xss
matured alter the Governor took the
position that more revenue was needed
10 take care OF the impoverished condi-
dition OF the state institutions and that
u Was necessary to provide additional
hnance for the dissemination of know.
ledge IN combating infections and con-
tasious diseases and for other purpo~rs
IN the state. and 20 provide revenue t.
take the place Of that amount Lost d,
The elimination OF the saloon from th%
state He Was in no way responsible for
TIE los o. this license revenue; il Wa
the people who expressed their will in
tins regard by . majority of more than
5000.
The snti-Hstfield'' crowd took IN.
position that the state needed no addi-
uonai revenue. Even the Attorney Cen
er<i wrote treatise on the situstion a.
t'e elect that 70 wss the duty Of the
Governor 70 borrow. although u Wa sd-
missed by the state Auditor and the A..
counting department that he could NO,
pay 70 back until o legislature, % L.
e'ecsed sometime in the future, would
provide additional Coco.
laws 10 take care Of the situation. Thi-
sssnd ~@s taken notwithstanding "a.
ct that the statue which p~rmu- Al.
o"'rrn"r - borrow money only give.
him authority N do ~ for q period po,
% exceed elxhss~n months. when nj IN.
h.