The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-11-25
HATFIELD ASKS
FOR PROBE OF
LATE ELECTION
IN SPECIAL MESSAGE
TO THE LEGISLATURE
Calls Attention to Charge
That Large Sums Of Money
Were Spent Illegally.

CHARLESTON. W. Va, Nov. II
Governor Hatfield sent a special mes
sage to the legislature late today, call
ing attention TO the charge that large
sums of money were improper! USE"
in tue election of November I, III Vlo'
lation of the corrupt practlces act,
and that there were gross VlolatloIls
of the election and registration laws
of the state. He recommended the
appointment Of COMMITTEES, With
powers to sit at various places. taKe
testimony, and thoroughly investigate
the charges.
The house received the message
soon after four o'clock, just before IL
adjourned. The Senate did not as
semble until six o'clock at which time
the message was read. The resolu-
ton was not introduced III citner
house. 1t was said that it would be
presented 10 the senate tomorrow.
Late in the afternoon the Rcpubl!-
can senators were called 10 confer,
ence in the room OF President England
where they we're addressed by Frank
Amos. Republican chairman OF Marion
County, where. it is alleged, extensive
frauds were perpetrated on election
day. The resolution recommended by
the governor was said 10 have beett
discussed. and that it did mol meet
with the unanimous approval OF the
senators. The dissenting party, was
led by Senator Ben l.. RoSenoloom, ol
Wheeling. and standing with him were
Senators Oliver s. Marshall. OF New
Cumberland. and Warren Miller, ot
Ripley Details OF the resolution were
said 10 include the appointment OF !!
commission by the governor 10 whom
d partial report was 10 be- MADE not
later than January.
Democrats. discussing the report,
declared it was a movement 10 con,
test the election OF John J. Cornwell
as governor. and that they would Wig
orOusly oppose it.
The Message
Governor Hatfield'a special message,
after repeating thc charges Of fraud
in the late election containedE in: hts
first message to the special session OF
the legislature. said in part:
1T is no secret that thousands OF IL
legal votes were cast on November
7th, and unless something is done tn
protect the electorate, Republican
form OF government must be failure.
II legal voters in this state cannot 80
to the polls on election day and cast
their votes and have them counted
as cast, and illegal voters cannot be
prevented from participating in our
election: and if persons can vote lis
ofted as directed to do so by political
bosses and machine politicians, then
indeed the time has come when people
must consider some other method OF
ascertaining the will of the people as
TO who shall hold office and as to the
form Of government under which we
shall live.
Under our present law we have no
way in which to investigate and de-
velop the facts necessary TO Inform
law officers as to what can be done
and ought to be done. and in my judg-
ment the only way 10 have fair and
full investigation is by and through a
committee to be appointed BY author
ity Of the legislature and given power
to sit at different places in the state
and TO employ such assistants as may
be necessary to make the investigation
full and complete. Without attempt
ing 10 reflect upon any officer, I call
your attention to the fact that in many