West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-11-30
What Republican Papers Think Of the
Special Session


Following are excerpts from Repub-
iican papers on the calling OF the spe-
cial session OF the legislature by Gov
ernor Hatfield. All OF these papers
supported Judge Robinson in the re-
cent election. Were IL not for their
length the editorials would be repro
| duced in full:
Charleston Mail-"Upon what does
the presumption rest that the incom-
Ing Democratic governor OF the state
will summarily dismiss from office one
or more OF the high state officers who
have been elected by the people. and
indeed, elected as recently as the gov
ernor himself. Here is what Cover
nor-elect Cornwell himself has to say
about IT. according to the organ OF
Democracy published In the city of
Charleston. He refers to a published
article In which such an intention is
ascribed to him:
So far as / know and believe the
entire article Is a falsehood from be-
ginning to end. and 1 have heard of
no such plan, have not been consulted
upon any proposition, and those who
voted for and elected me, know that I
would not be party to it,
THE people who voted for Mr..
Cornwell-and they were a plurality
OF the voters of the state-wi,l, of
course. accept his statement at face
value. Thousands OF persons who did
not vote for him, and who deeply re-
greet the defeat of Judge Robinson az
The Mail does, will accept It too. The
people don't want the new governors
hands tied. II they had. they would
not have voted for him in such num-
bers; at least. such would seem to be
fair presumption. The people elect
ed him. presumably, to the full enjoy
| ment OF the rights and emoluments
which appertain to the office OF gov
ernor of West Virginia. They would
surely punish again the political par
ty whose leaders should undertake to
defeat their will"
Parkersburg State Journal-"The
State Journal believes that illegal or
unwarranted action against any Re-
| publican elected to Office by a major
ity OF the voters can be resisted with
out resort to revolutionary methods.
mo purpose would be served by the
| legislation proposed in the second
specification save the selfish purpose
OF Job holders. No Republican princi-
pie is at stake. An assured majority
In the State Senate is proof against
any repeater Mr.. Cornwell and his as
sociates can initiate. The only thing
that is at stake is the state pay roll,
and II is no violen presumption to say
that the voters struck at the state pay
roll in Tuesdays election.
THE voters of West Virginia were
fully aware of the fact that the ap-
pointive service followed the COVER
norship. II they have voted Mr.. Corn
well into office on fair count of the
| ballots they have sanctioned his right
to make these appointments which
have heretofore depended in the gov
ernor's office. n
THE whole tendency OF modern
state government has been toward THE
concentration of power I'm the hands 81
the executive. The short ballot re-
form is for this very purpose-to make
the governor accountable. and to avoid
the evils OF the division of power
among half dozen department heads,
with the inevitable shifting OF respUn-
| sibility"
Wheeling Intelligencer-"W the
Intelligencer would be pleased to see
| any Republican who has been proper
ly and faithfully performing his dutt,
continued in state office, it does not
believe that that purpose is sufficient
to Justify an extra session of the legis-
lature, or to justify semi-revolutionary
measures. If 1t was good state policy
for Republican governor to appoint
the members of the board of control.
the tax commissioner, the members OF
the board OF regents. and like officers.
we can see no reason why a Demot
| cratic governor duly chosen by the
people should not exercise the same
authority. To attempt to limit or
change the appointive powers of the
chief executive OF the state merely be-
cause the chief executive happens to
be Of a different political party from
the one which has hitherto been in
power. is. to say the least, a danger
GUS proposition. and one which is not
likely to receive the commentator of
the people OF the state generally"